Great Britain: Why an international horse-racing legend will be in North Devon next month

Northdevonjournal.co.uk - Full Article

By NDJLaura | Posted: August 24, 2016

A horse racing legend will be in North Devon next month to present prizes to winners of a popular equine endurance challenge.

Riders at this year's annual Equitrek, being held on Exmoor next month, could have the honour of meeting equine VIP Bob Champion, who has agreed to support the event and will be presenting the prizes.

Bob was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 31 in 1979 and doctors initially gave him only eight months to live. He faced extreme challenges – undergoing surgery, feeling suicidal and developing life-threatening septicaemia...

Read more at http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/why-this-north-devon/story-29652141-detail/story.html#OV1WlJzE8I2zFfR3.99

Australia: Australia: 2016 Shahzada Day 3

August 24 2016

On Day 3 of the 5-day 400-km Shahzada, Lightweight Melissa McCullough and Forbes View Sienna continue to lead with an overall time of 21:10. Lightweight Melissa Longhurst and Pioneer Park Wings of Sudan are 22 minutes behind.

45 started the ride on Day 1. With 2 more eliminated or retiring on Day 3, that leaves 32 still in the ride, with 2 more days to go.

Nicolle Brown and Kie-Al Nasarian lead with a total time of 7:00. 103 started, with 21 pulls so far.

Results are at:
http://www.shahzada400.com/

Australia: Mackillop College student Tahnaya Mercieca to take part in the Tom Quilty endurance ride in October

Westernadvocate.com.au - Full Article

Bradley Jurd
24 Aug 2016

When October 7 comes around, Tahnaya Mercieca will become one of the youngest riders in the Tom Quilty endurance ride.

The 12-year-old MacKillop College student will be riding Malleegrove Qaarma, her 15-year-old pure-breed Arabian gelding, during the 160-kilometre race.

The Tom Quilty, which will be held in the granite mountains of Victoria, is considered the pinnacle of Australian endurance rides.

Qaarma, as Tahnaya refers to him, may not be her fastest horse, with the family owning seven in total, but she loves him just as much.

“He’s just a special horse, I love his characteristics,” Tahnaya said. “He loves attention and he’ll let you know when he wants some...”

Read more here:
http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/4117048/qaarma-is-mane-man/

Australia: Two Table Top horses prepare for World Endurance Championships

Bordermail.com.au - Full Article

JANET HOWIE
23 Aug 2016

TWO Table Top horses leave Australia on Wednesday for a journey that will end at next month’s World Endurance Championships in Slovakia.

The pair will help their trainer Amanda Kettlewell, of Oso Arabians, achieve a longstanding goal.

“You’re competing for your country, you don’t get much bigger than this,” she said.

It would be fantastic to get a medal for the team, but I think the biggest thing will be getting two happy, healthy horses around, completing the course
- Amanda Kettlewell...

Read more here:
http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/4114526/border-team-prepares-for-a-feat-of-endurance/

Australia: 2016 Shahzada Day 2

August 23 2016

On Day 2 of the 5-day 400-km Shahzada, Lightweight Melissa McCullough and Forbes View Sienna have the lead with an overall time of 13:16. Lightweight Melissa Longhurst and Pioneer Park Wings of Sudan are 7 minutes behind.

45 started the ride on Day 1. 4 more riders were eliminated on day 2, leaving 38 still riding on.

The 3-day 120-km Mini Marathon began today, with 103 starting and 13 eliminated. Two riders are tied for the lead with a time of 3:35: Andrew Jonkers and Girilambone Comet, and Kylie Jonkers riding Girilambone Venus.

Unofficial results are here:
http://www.aeraspace.com.au/RideResultsDetail_S.aspx?eventid=28356&ridenumber=1

and here:
http://www.aeraspace.com.au/RideResultsDetail_S.aspx?eventid=28356&ridenumber=2

Follow along at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/Australia/2016Shahzada/

Portugal: Meydan FEI European Endurance Championship for Young Riders & Juniors 2016

http://www.endurance.net/international/Portugal/2016EuropeanYRJChampionship

From 2 to 4 of September
The FEI European Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors is organized every two years. It is one of the most important European competitions, leading to the discovery of promising young Endurance riders.

Particularly directed for riders between 14 and 21 years, its an important foundation of future professional Endurance riders.

The last edition was in 2014, in Verona, Italy.

This year, for the first time, this competition will take place in Portugal, in the Rio Frio Equestrian pole, from 2 to 4 of September. Over 20 countries are expected to bring over 100 riders and a total of 400 participants.

It’s a 120km competition in several counter clock phases, where the rider’s ability to manage the horse’s effort is tested, along with the horse’s speed and resistance. At the end of each phase, a veterinary inspection takes place.

Endurance is becoming a popular discipline throughout the world, and is nowadays, not only the second biggest equestrian discipline in competition number and participants, but the highest growing. According to FEI, more than 900 Endurance competitions are held every year, and the discipline has more than 6000 riders and 10000 horses registered.

Follow the ride at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/Portugal/2016EuropeanYRJChampionship/

Australia: 2016 Shahzada is Underway

http://www.endurance.net/international/Australia/2016Shahzada

The 36th annual Shahzada has begun in St Albans, New South Wales. It runs August 22 through August 26th.

Shahzada is the ultimate test for horse and rider of 400km over five days up and down the beautiful mountains surrounding the picturesque Macdonald Valley, sometimes three times in the one day.

For those on younger, less experienced horses, the Mini Marathon of 120km over three days starts today, Tuesday, and runs through Thursday.

45 were entered for the 400 km, with 42 finishing day 1. Lightweight Melissa Longhurst and Pioneer Park Wings of Sudan have the overall lead, finishing the 80 km in 6:27.

Unofficial Results from Day 1 400 km are here:
http://www.aeraspace.com.au/RideResultsDetail_S.aspx?eventid=28356&ridenumber=1

Follow the ride at
http://www.endurance.net/international/Australia/2016Shahzada