Giraffes in view as the Boudheib Endurance rules get a run in South Africa

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

June 3, 2017
Horsetalk.co.nz

The innovative Boudheib rules in Endurance were employed in South Africa last weekend, in the first in a series of international events, with a completion rate across all divisions of nearly 80 percent.

The rules applied at the Boudheib endurance facility in Abu Dhabi, owned by Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have created an oasis in troubled UAE Endurance. The “house” rules insisted on by the sheikh have all but eliminated the welfare issues that have plagued the sport in the region.

They are designed to keep speeds, which are GPS-monitored, down to 20kmh. Most prize-money goes to the best-conditioned horses, judged on the accumulation of scores from each vet gate.

South Africa played host last weekend to the first in the 2017 series of seven international Endurance events under Boudheib rules, with racing taking place in the Sondela Nature Reserve in the Limpopo Province...

Read more at http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2017/06/03/giraffes-boudheib-endurance-rules-south-africa/#J4WZYEjFLbel1Isp.99

The Cup of Russia at the Tersk Stud Novotersky

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

Text provided by: Karina Voski

Tersk Stud, Novotersky, Russia. Sunday 28 May 2017. It was a place 500 meters above the sea level with a mountain-forest climate, similar to the climate of the middle Alps, sprinkling mineral water springs and extensive hilly grasslands that attracted Count Sergei Stroganov to create a stud farm at the foot of the picturesque Zmeika Mountain in 1898.

The backbone for this were 2 stallions and 9 mares brought from the journey through Syria and the North Arabian Desert.

In its nearly 120-year history, the stud farm has produced a whole galaxy of outstanding horses. Kumir, Drug, Nakhodka, Valuevka, Persik, Nobby are among them...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/cup-russia-tersk-stud-novotersky/

Endurance Wastage: Even Worse Than You Probably Thought

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

Cuckson Report | May 30, 2017

I was sorry to miss the FEI’s endurance forum at Vic in Spain. I went to the 2014 version in Lausanne, the first specialist endurance open forum staged after the extent of the cheating, doping and attrition in FEI Group 7 and the UAE in particular came to wider attention.

Not much seems to have changed, other than officialdom now being less uncomfortable about openly naming the problem countries. And it would be difficult now not to name the UAE when they were suspended (2015) and stripped of running a world championship (2016) because of horse welfare concerns. Even three years ago it was taboo to mention a Group 7 federation by name in an open FEI endurance debate.

Given that weeny increase in transparency, I was disappointed to be told in February that the 2017 renewal was limited to national federations. By the time the FEI changed its mind in April and invited general observers, I had arranged to do something else, which could not be rescheduled without inconveniencing other people and causing me irrecoverable expense.
I am thus indebted to attendees who kept me posted and provided context to the presentations now available on the FEI website, and for amplifying the topics excluded from the FEI’s media round-up.

Much was made at both the main FEI sports forum in Lausanne in April and at Vic about extensive veterinary studies into bone fatigue and metabolic failures, and how they might be mitigated by extending rest periods. Another proposal that has got as far as a draft rule is adding an extra seven days’ rest where speed has exceeded an average 20kph. But why not actively cap high speeds, as successfully already trialled at Boudhieb? All the evidence is that Group 7 horses continue to train hard during compulsory “rests,” and turn up at national rides – over which the FEI is always keen to tell us it has no jurisdiction or knowledge. A half-way house measure will merely encourage Group 7 to buy even more horses...

Read more here:
https://www.horse-canada.com/cuckson-report/endurance-wastage-even-worse-than-you-probably-thought/

Applications Available for the 2017 USEF Youth Sportsman's Award

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Department | May 30, 2017, 1:15 PM EST

Lexington, Ky. - Are you a young equestrian who exhibits exceptional leadership potential? Do you serve as a positive role model for your peers and demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the promotion of equestrian sport? How involved are you in the community, and do you feel you exemplify positive sportsmanship principles? If so, you may be an eligible nominee for the 2017 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Sportsman's Award. Each year USEF-recognized national affiliate and international discipline associations search through submitted applications looking for a candidate who is a true sportsman or woman ready to represent their breed or discipline on a national level, and this year just might be your lucky year!


To apply, visit www.usef.org/youth and download the application or contact your USEF-recognized national affiliate and international discipline associations. Be sure to submit your application and all other required materials directly to your USEF-recognized national affiliate or international discipline association’s office on or before September 1, 2017. Affiliate contact information is included on the application form. Each USEF-recognized affiliate may select a national nominee after the September 1 deadline. Each affiliate nominee is considered for the overall Youth Sportsman’s Award, but only two (one winner and one reserve winner) are selected to receive grants.


The overall winner of the 2017 USEF Youth Sportsman's Award will receive a $1,000 grant payable to the educational program of their choice and a commemorative trophy. The winner will also be nominated for the USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year Award. The reserve winner will receive a $500 grant payable to the educational program of choice.


Applicants must meet the following criteria for consideration of the 2017 USEF Youth Sportsman's Award:


Have a current membership in good standing with the USEF
Have a current membership in good standing with a USEF-recognized national affiliate and international discipline associations
Be 17 years of age or under, as of December 1, 2016
Demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the promotion of equestrian sport
Serve as a positive role model for peers
Participate at any level of competition, including local, regional, or national events
Be involved with their community
Exhibit characteristics that exemplify positive sportsmanship principles™


For more information regarding the USEF Youth Sportsman's Award, please contact Natalie Norwood, Director, National Breed/Discipline Affiliates, via e-mail at nnorwood@usef.org or call (859) 225-6951.

Calls for attitude change at FEI endurance forum

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Sarah Radford
13:23 - 29 May, 2017

Introducing analytics into FEI endurance events will be about “changing psychology and attitude”, according to EquiRatings co-founder Sam Watson.

The FEI announced it had signed a four-year agreement with Irish data science company EquiRatings in April, with the aim of “working together on risk management initiatives” in both endurance and eventing.

At an FEI endurance forum this week, EquiRatings’ Diarmuid Byrne and Sam presented a potential model for an athlete index — which would identify those at higher risk of non-completions.

A similar EquiRatings Quality Index was found to be effective in Irish eventing last year and the pilot has been extended for 2017. The safety analysis tool uses algorithms to calculate the potential for falls, giving officials and riders the ability to monitor risk.

“We need to create awareness and provide a tool that can guide the level of responsible horsemanship and help maintain a standard for the sport around the world,” he said...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/calls-attitude-change-endurance-forum-621710#LGbMMpMosKzI3Eh6.99

Australia: Port Lincoln woman entering Mongol Derby

Portlincolntimes.com.au - Full Story

Jarrad Delaney
29 May 2017

A Port Lincoln woman will be taking on the longest and toughest horse race in the world.

Emma Manthorpe will be entering into the Mongol Derby between August 6 and 19, which will see her riding for 1000 kilometres across Mongolia, stopping every 40 kilometres to change horses.

The course recreates the postal route Genghis Khan set up in the 13th century and includes a range of terrain including open plains, mountain passes and river crossings.

Each year about 40 professional, semi-professional and amateur riders take on the derby which requires them to balance survival skills and horsemanship...

Read more here:
http://www.portlincolntimes.com.au/story/4693229/set-for-mongolia-ride/

Challenges of regulating speed in Endurance discussed by forum delegates

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

May 27, 2017
Horsetalk.co.nz

Even small reductions in speed have large beneficial effects on bone fatigue for the fastest horses, delegate to this week’s FEI Endurance Forum were told.

A total of 100 delegates from more than 30 countries gathered in Spain to discuss the way ahead for the growing sport.

Horse welfare, education and the future direction of the sport were primary topics, with delegates weighing the challenges of keeping endurance horses healthy and free from injury in a discipline in which speeds are likely to increase through the likes of better training, breeding, feeding and riding.

The University of Glasgow’s Dr Euan Bennet took delegates through the highlights and main results of the first year and a half of the FEI’s Global Endurance Injuries Study, and Professor Chris Whitton from the University of Melbourne presented data on bone fatigue...

Read more at http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2017/05/27/speed-endurance-forum/#bH2jEzCsuKtt1PgY.99