Tryon, N.C. Vies for WEG 2018

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

August 2, 2016
by: Tryon International Equestrian Center

Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Tryon Equestrian Partners, confirmed today that the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, N.C. is working with United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to ensure that the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) remain in North America and USEF has communicated its support of the initiative to the FEI for the 2018 WEG.

The WEG, which is administered by the Fédération Equestre International (FEI), the worldwide governing body of equestrian sport, occurs every four years in the middle of the Olympic cycle and is the major international championship event for Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining. The Bromont venue, located in Canada, which had been awarded the 2018 games, announced last week that they were withdrawing from their hosting arrangement with the FEI.

The United States Equestrian Federation has communicated via letter to the FEI their strong support of the bid to host the 2018 Games in North Carolina. William Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of USEF commented, “While it is unfortunate the games will not be able to take place at Bromont, the USEF believes it is critical that the WEG remain in North America as intended so that the globalization of the sport can continue.” USEF President, Chrystine Tauber added “Mark Bellissimo and Tryon Equestrian Partners have a brand new venue, deep experience and sufficient resources to make this happen. They have the USEF’s full endorsement...”

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/horse-news/tryon-vies-for-weg-2018/?utm_source=Enews+August+2%2C+2016&utm_campaign=EnewsAug22016&utm_medium=email

Cotswold rider flies to Mongolia to take part in brutal 1,000km challenge for charity

Wiltsglosstandard.co.uk - Full Article

A RIDER from the Cotswolds set off to take part in the toughest horse riding challenge in the world on Sunday.

by Callum Chaplin

Rosie Bathurst, 24, has travelled to Mongolia to take part in the 1,000km Mongol Derby, all in aid of a charity that supports vulnerable veterans.

The former Westonbirt School pupil will be riding semi-wild, unpredictable horses and has only five kilograms of luggage to live out of during the ten day challenge

The gruelling course recreates Genghis Khan's legendary empire-busting postal system, with riders racing for 10 days, changing horse every 40km, and living with herders or camping under the stars...

Read more here:
http://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/14654062.Cotswold_rider_flies_to_Mongolia_to_take_part_in_brutal_1_000km_challenge_for_charity/

Endurance Great Britain Championship Team Announcement

01 August 2016

The Endurance GB International Committee is delighted to announce the athletes and horses chosen to represent Team GB in the upcoming Senior and Young Rider Championships.

The Senior Team will compete in the 160km, FEI Longines World Endurance Cham- pionships to be held in Samorin, Slovakia from the 15-18th September. The following combinations have been successfully selected:

Carri Ann Dark with HS Drift

Fiona Griffiths with Oliver Twist IV

Nicola Thorne with LR Bold Greyson or LM Bolena (travelling reserve horse)

Christopher Wray with Takwenya

Senior Team Chef D'Equipe, Liz Finney commented that “after a late change of venue, we now have a team of four horse and riders, plus a reserve horse, who are extremely keen to compete at the World Championships in Samorin, Slovakia in the middle of September.

They are all very experienced international riders, three of whom have already competed at a championship ride, so will cope well with the environment and hype of a world championship.”

The Young Rider team will compete in the 120km, FEI European Endurance Cham- pionship for Young Riders & Juniors to be held in Rio Frio, Portugal from the 02-04th September. The following combinations have been successfully selected:

Kate Atkinson with DNS Ronaldo

Charlotte Chadwick with Hazelcroft Gosens Tsar

Bella Fricker with Eskar

Caitlin Theodorou with My Marco

Young Rider Chef D'Equipe, Jo Chisholm, commented that "we now have an excel- lent squad of Young Riders who have worked extremely hard to qualify themselves and their horses. Having worked with them during the year I can say that it is an absolute honour and pleasure to be working with a group of such dedicated and professional youngsters."

John Robertson, Director of International for Endurance GB, added that "the path to both Championships has not been straightforward, but we are reassured by the high calibre combinations who will be representing Team GB at both Champi- onships this summer. I would like to wish all GB competitors a safe journey and the best of luck for the competitions that lie ahead."


Endurance GB - National Governing Body for competitive Endurance horse riding in Great Britain a member body of the BEF. Offering rides for non-members and members from pleasure rides to competitive rides www.endurancegb.co.uk

Photo: Team GB Young Riders at their selection ride at Pilgrims Trail. From left to right: Charlotte Chadwick, Caitlin Theodorou and Bella Fricker. Photo courtesy of Event to Event Photography - http://eventtoevent.co.uk/

Quotes
“Despite not having a large pool of horse/rider combinations qualified for the YR Championships, we now have an excellent squad of young riders who have worked extremely hard to qualify themselves and their horses. Having worked with them during the year I can say that it is an absolute honour and pleasure to be working with a group of such dedicated and professional youngsters.

Travel plans are coming together and we are working closely with the YR Squad Management and the riders, their families and crews to get the best possible op- tions for them and the horses, to ensure they arrive in Portugal in tip top condi- tion. We believe the course will be fairly flat but probably dry and sandy, which is similar to some of the qualifying rides that the combinations have experienced this year. The temperature at the Championships will likely be in the high 20's to low 30's, but fortunately we have been experiencing some hot weather in the UK this summer and coupled with the riders training, especially for hot conditions, we are confident that this will be well within their comfort zone.

Over the next few weeks the riders will taper their training to build up to the Championships and preparations for the trip will be ongoing. Everything from the ferry crossings and flights for the crews down to the spare sets of shoes for the horses will be planned down to the last detail. We are all very much looking for- ward to representing our country in these Young Rider Championships.”

Jo Chisholm, Team GB Chef D’Equipe for the Young Riders

“After a late change of venue, we now have a team of four horses and riders, plus a reserve horse, who are extremely keen to compete at the World Championships in Samorin, Slovakia in the middle of September.

They are all very experienced international riders, three of whom have already competed at a championship ride, so will cope well with the environment and hype of a world championship.

It is a long journey to the venue, involving two overnight stops on the way, the temperature at the venue will probably be in the 30'sC so careful planning is un- derway to ensure the horses have the best possible journeys, followed by a good period of acclimatisation on arrival in Samorin.

The team and squad management team will meet in August shortly before the horses leave for the Championships, for a final check and to concentrate on the small details that can make the difference between success and failure.”

Liz Finney, Team GB Chef D’Equipe for the Senior Team

2018 World Equestrian Games will not be held at Kentucky Horse Park, state says

Kentucky.com - Full Article

BY JANET PATTON
jpatton1@herald-leader.com

Kentucky will not pursue the 2018 World Equestrian Games which were pulled from Canada last week, because the state determined it would “put the Commonwealth and the taxpayers at enormous financial risk.”

Also, according to a statement from the Cabinet for Tourism, Arts and Heritage, it would be too difficult to pull it together in just two years.

Bromont, Quebec, had been scheduled to host world championships in eight equestrian disciplines on Aug. 12-26, 2018, but on July 22, the Federation Equestre Internationale announced that by mutual agreement the games were pulled “due to ongoing financial issues.”

After a second round of bidding, Bromont had been awarded the games in 2014 over Kentucky, which sought to host its second world championships.

Last week’s announcement led to widespread speculation that the Kentucky Horse Park would be a potential fallback location for the 2018 games. But tourism cabinet spokeswoman Laura Brooks said Friday morning that will not be the case...

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/article92586787.html#storylink=cpy

Australia: Local takes on Mongol Derby

Northweststart.com.au - Full Article

Samantha Walton
@SamanthaWalton0

29 Jul 2016,

A MOUNT Isa woman is one of four Australians who will take on the longest and toughest horse race in the world.

Camille Champagne is the co-manager of Linda Downs station located 225-kilometres south west of Mount Isa and will travel overseas to compete in the Mongol Derby.

The derby is a 1000-kilometre course that recreates Chinggis Khaan's legendary empire-busting postal system. Riders change semi-wild horses every 40-kilometres, and live with herders and camp under the stars.

Riders are only allowed to carry a five-kilogram survival pack, eat local cuisine and complete the course on their own. Competitors will ride through different terrain and weather conditions adding to the complexity of the challenge.

Ms Champagne was one of the lucky few to be selected to attend the world competition and said she had been preparing for this type of competition for many years...

Read more here:
http://www.northweststar.com.au/story/4060602/local-takes-on-mongol-derby/

FEI Awards 2016: global quest for equestrian heroes begins

FEIAwards.org

Jul 22, 2016

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), world governing body of equestrian sport, has today launched the FEI Awards 2016. This officially marks the beginning of the 8 week nomination phase that will result in the winners being announced at the FEI Awards Gala Ceremony presented by Longines in Tokyo (JPN) on 22 November 2016.

Launched in 2009, the FEI Awards are an annual salute to excellence, determination, resolve, courage and dedication. In order to recognise and celebrate the exceptional individuals and organisations that make the equestrian community so unique, the FEI calls upon the public every year to nominate their heroes via the online platform at www.feiawards.org.

“We are a global sport but we are also a way of life and a community with a very strong set of values”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “The FEI Awards honour everyone who make our sport happen and this has been shown time and time again in the thousands of nominations we have received since the FEI Awards were launched in 2009.

“This being an Olympic/Paralympic year, I am sure the performances and the dedication of so many individuals will add to the conversations around the heroes both in and out of the arena and I really look forward to discovering more inspirational stories that make our sport so unique. I encourage everyone to go to the website and nominate their heroes so that they can be recognised and celebrated by the global community.”


FEI Awards 2016 - five hotly-contested categories

The Longines Rising Star Award is for a person aged 14 to 21 who demonstrates outstanding sporting talent and commitment. Jessica Mendoza (GBR), who won this award in 2015, has recently been announced as reserve rider for the British Jumping team heading to the Rio2016 Olympic Games! Former winners of this category also competing in Rio, include China’s Alex Hua Tian, described in the Chinese press as “one in a billion” following the 2008 Olympic Games.

Juan-Carlos Capelli, Longines Vice President and Head of International Marketing, noted: “For a number of years we have been strongly supporting young sportswomen and men active in the disciplines we are associated with, such as equestrian sports, alpine skiing and tennis. As we conceive our partnerships on a long term basis, we are keen to contribute to further to the development and outreach of the sports we are involved in. The Longines Rising Star award will be presented for the fourth time to a young talented equestrian athlete between 14 and 21 years. The recipient will succeed to the previous outstanding laureates: American rider Reed Kessler, Mauritian vaulter Lambert Leclezio and British rider Jessica Mendoza.”

The Best Athlete Award celebrates the athlete who over the last 12 months has demonstrated exceptional skills in the arena, and has taken equestrian sport to a new level. Awarded to Australia’s Boyd Exell in 2015 for his unmatched track record in the sport of Driving, including Six World Championship titles alongside numerous FEI World Cup™ titles. Previous winners of this category heading to Rio2016 seeking to add more Olympic gold medals to their collection include defending champions Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and Michael Jung (GER), and Dutch jumping legend Jeroen Dubbeldam, gold medallist from Sydney 2000.

The Against All Odds Award acknowledges people who have pursued their equestrian ambitions despite physical issues or extremely difficult personal circumstances. Last year this award went to Endurance athlete Oriana Ricca Marmissolle (URU) who following diagnosis and treatment for Phase III Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at just 17 years of age was back in the saddle within days of finishing chemotherapy treatment competing at events in Uruguay, France, Brazil and Chile. Former winners of this category include USA’s Sydney Collier and Germany’s highly experienced and multi medalled Angelika Trabert, both selected to compete at the Rio2016 Paralympic Games.

The Best Groom Award is dedicated to the vital behind-the-scenes team members who work 24/7 to ensure their horses get the best possible care and attention. Last year, Mexico’s Eddie Garcia Luna was celebrated for his dedication and commitment to Olympic rider Steffen Peters horses.

The FEI Solidarity Award – which in 2015 went to a tailor-made project in Haiti called “Les Chevaux qui pansent les plaies” (Horses that heal wounds) providing therapeutic riding for over 250 children affected by the 2010 earthquake and in particular amputees. The top athletes were then given the opportunity to train in Para-Equestrian sport. This award will be presented to an FEI Solidarity or equestrian development project, or an individual or organisation that has demonstrated skill, dedication and energy in expanding equestrian sport.

Nominations for the FEI Awards 2016 will close at midnight on 18 September 2016.


Glamorous Gala

The winners of the awards will be flown to the glittering FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines in Tokyo (JPN), where over 350 guests from the global equestrian community, including representatives from the Tokyo 2020 and the FEI’s National Federations around the world, will celebrate their triumphs.


FEI Awards 2016 - your help

To make the FEI Awards 2016 even bigger and better, we are asking for your help. Your input will make these Awards truly global. To promote these Awards to your readers, please feel free to download and use our widgets at www.feiawards.org .
You can also download the launch video here: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/t74gT.
Note: Additional videos to promote each of the categories will also be made available to media.


Follow the FEI Awards 2016 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #feiawards


FEI Photo Catalogue: Images for editorial purposes are available for free download at www.feiphotos.org

FEI Suspends Uruguayan Endurance Rider

FEI.org

Jul 28, 2016

The FEI Tribunal has issued a final decisions in a prohibited substance case involving endurance.

The FEI Tribunal imposed a two-year suspension on the Uruguayan endurance rider Fernanda Villar, effective immediately. Samples taken from her horse LG Muneerah, winner of the CEI2* in Trinidad, Uruguay, on Aug. 8, 2015, returned positive for guanabenz, a sedative with analgesic effects that is banned under the EADCMRs.

The period of provisional suspension, which came into effect on Sept. 29, 2015, the date of notification, has been credited against the period of ineligibility, which will run through to June 22, 2017. The athlete is also fined CHF 2,000 and ordered to contribute CHF 1,500 towards the cost of the judicial procedure.

The full final decision is available here.