Malaysia: Sultan Mizan withdraws from Sea Games

NST.com.my - Full Article

By Devinder Singh - August 12, 2017

SULTAN Mizan Zainal Abidin is the biggest omission from the 844-strong national Sea Games contingent, Malaysia’s largest ever, which was finalised yesterday.

The Terengganu ruler graciously withdrew due to his horse being deemed unfit to compete in the equestrian endurance event on Aug 20 at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong.

“Tuanku Mizan withdrew in the best interest of the endurance team as His Highness felt his horse was not ready and would not do justice to the team,” said Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary-general Datuk Low Beng Choo.
“It was very gracious of His Highness, who very much wanted to compete in the Sea Games and had been training hard every day...”

Read more here:
https://www.nst.com.my/node/266999

Australia: Endurance horse rider to tackle competition abroad

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

PAULA HULBURT
Last updated 09:20, August 11 2017

A champion horse rider is heading overseas to put her talents of endurance to the test.

Tess Wells, of Renwick, will represent Equestrian Sport New Zealand (ESNZ) in Queensland, Australia, when she takes part in one of ridings fastest growing sports.

The South Island champion will tackle the Trans-Tasman endurance team event for the first time where she will compete in a 100-kilometre race.

This follows a productive couple of months in the United States last year where Tess says she learned some "valuable training skills."

he former Marlborough Girls' College student keeps two horses, Barney and Buddy, at her parents' Okaramio farm.

She got Barney, 13, when he was 3-years-old and the pair have competed together ever since Tess started endurance racing about four years ago...

Read more here:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/your-marlborough/95465006/endurance-horse-rider-to-tackle-competition-abroad

Horse Radio Network: Mongol Derby Special Report for August 10, 2017 with Devan Horn

Audioboom.com - Listen in

August 10 2017

Listen in to Devan Horn's analysis of the Mongol Derby's progress

https://audioboom.com/posts/6194173-mongol-derby-special-report-for-august-10-2017-with-devan-horn

Mongol Derby Day 3

TheAdventurists.com - Stories, photos, videos, map

Day 3. August 11, 2017.

12:15. No dramas this morning rider-side, though a film crew vehicle needed rescuing from a bog. Its rescuer then in turn required rescuing (standard). Horses fresh and seemingly behaving—or maybe Derbyists have learnt to clamp on a bit tighter. The pack of 20 that camped together at U5 is gradually spreading out; Day 3 usually sees the field widen and the ‘Racing’ group pull away from the ‘Adventure’ group. Start arguing amongst yourselves on who belongs in which category (then watch them muck up all predictions by end of day).

15:30. Bit more action this afternoon. Star riders from yesterday LW and RP each lost horse during kit adjustment but soldiering on, LW sans gear—including stirrups. RP lost bridle, bought new one off a herder. Resourceful. Frontrunners EF and MP have their first penalties, elevated heart rates. They’ll serve time at next stop, U11. Not likely enough time for anyone to overtake, though BA a leg away with a spotless record. Above, AK with her U6 pick while GK advises “You better stay on this one!”

18:15. Balls. We’ve jinxed BA, looks like, as he’ll now have two hours at the Penalty Urtuu for elevated heart rate. EF and MP will be long gone, as they’re nearly halfway through their sentence at U11 now and likely hold the lead this evening (barring mutant racehorses. Not unheard of in this country). Further back in the field, it looks like another ger cuddle puddle could be in order for the evening, with 17 riders thundering along in vicinity of each other. Keep those vets on their toes, lads. 

Rider Call Signs

You might catch us using abbreviated rider call signs on the Twitter and blog. Here's how you know who's who

RIDER CALL SIGNS:

• Annette Kriller - AK
• Amanda Charlton Herbert -AC
• Barry Armitage -BA
• Ceri Putman - CP
• Charlotte Wills - CW
• Christine Sarah Arndt - CA
• Clare Salmon - CS
• Cy Lloyd-Jones - CL
• Ed Fernon - EF
• Emma Manthorpe - EM
• Greg Chant - GC
• Hanna Schumacher - HS
• Jakkie Mellet - JM
• Jane Boxhall - JB
• James Lester - JL
• Jennifer Cook - JC
• Jodie Ward - JW
• Julia Fisher - JF
• Leslie Wylie - LW
• Louisa Ball - LB
• Lucy Taylor - LT
• Margaret Clare Summers - MS
• Marianne Williams - MW
• Marie Palzer - MP
• Mark Bauwens - MB
• Neil Goldie-Scot - NG
• Olivia (Liv) Wood - OW
• Paul Richards - PR
• Pierre Germain - PG
• Rebecca Hewitt - RHW
• Rebecca Pumphrey - RP
• Rick Helson - RHL
• Roberta (Bobby) Friend - BF
• Roberta McLeod - RM
• Rachel Land - RL
• Sally Toye - ST
• Suzann Holmqvist - SH
• Taylor Dolak - TD
• Taylor Williams*(B.Warton) - BW
• Victoria Twelves - VT
• William Comiskey - WC
• Warren Sutton - WS
•

More at:
https://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2017/8/9/mongol-derby-2017-rolling-news

Horses in the Morning: Mongol Derby Special Report for August 9, 2017 with Devan Horn

HorseInTheMorning.com - Listen in

Aug 9, 2017
Two time Mongol Derby Alumni Devan Horn joins Glenn for a special 8pm Facebook Live wrap up of Day One of the Mongol Derby. And our own Leslie leads after Day 1! Listen in...

http://www.horsesinthemorning.com/mongol-derby-special-report-for-august-9-2017-with-devan-horn/

Mongol Derby Day 2

TheAdventurists.com - Stories, photos, videos, map

Day 2. August 10, 2017.

Day 2 Roundup - Michelle Tanaka (2015 joint 3rd place rider)

Riders got straight into it with icy cold hurricane-like conditions first thing this morning. As crew vehicles trundled through the muck, horses once again proved themselves to be the fastest means to cross the steppe. Provided riders stay on, that is.

…Which a handful of Derbyists had some trouble managing. This morning JC unbridled her horse as she came off. Fellow riders plus five crew members couldn’t catch him (turns out he was waiting for a motorcycle rescue, diva). HS required a carry-forward after her stallion made off into the storm. AK’s horse bolted during a saddle adjustment, outrunning two herders on their fastest steeds. Eventually he lost enough steam to be caught outside a soum, 15 kilometers away.

Frontrunners EF and MP held their lead throughout the day (wearing warm layers and properly-fitted tack, no doubt). Only three riders are caught between urtuus tonight; we’ll see how RHW, WC, and JW do in the morning without the warmth of a ger.

Urtuu 5 is hosting a record 20 riders tonight. The Naughty List grows longer as riders prefer the three-hour late riding penalty to another night out on the steppe - see details on the Leaderboard.

More at:
https://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2017/8/9/mongol-derby-2017-rolling-news

Mongol Derby Day 1

TheAdventurists.com - Stories, videos, map

August 8 2017

Carnage mounting. Hellacious weather. Cold, wet, suffering riders - mainly those camping out last night (paying off for some, but mostly not for others). Weather causing horses to run for the hills, mounted or not. Bend down to adjust your jacket--horse gone. Reigning champ WC even called for help just short of U3. Vets looking after both two- and four-legged animals. First retirement: JF (Julia Fisher). Looks like fractured ribs, on her way back to UB, understandably devastated. EF and MP pushing hard at the front, maintaining high speeds and breezing through urtuus. Will it pay off, or will they be hypothermic by day's end? Even Unenburen, our head horseman, advised riders not to ride out of U3 this morning due to poor visibility. Not so much a race hold as a plea to hold off until the hurricane subsides. If anyone doubted this is indeed the world's toughest horse race, here you go. No apologies from Mother Mongolia today.

The 2017 Derby launched today at 11:10 (local time) 41 brave riders from across the globe battling for the Derby crown. In 1000km and less than 10 days one rider will have their name etched in the history books, but many more will fall along the way.

More at:
https://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2017/8/9/mongol-derby-2017-rolling-news