Malaysia: Careful planning helps Sultan Mizan's team surge to victory

NST.com.my - Full Article

By ADRIAN DAVID - August 20, 2017 @ 8:40pm
SETIU: A carefully-calculated strategy and high morale helped Malaysia bag the two gold medals at the 80km equestrian endurance race at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong.

Team manager Che Mat Din said they had studied the strengths and weaknesses of their rivals, especially main challengers Thailand, before formulating a plan to succeed.

“After 20km, we changed our plan when we found out Thailand and Cambodia lagging behind by some 20 and 30 minutes, respectively. We were cruising at an average speed of 20 km per hour and got our rhythm going.

“During the water break and short rest as they completed the first leg of 35km, I advised the team riders to maintain their speed into the second leg of 25km...

Read more here:
https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2017/08/270347/careful-planning-helps-sultan-mizans-team-surge-victory

Australia: Mary Valley complex wins bid for exclusive event

Gympietimes.com.au - Full Article

Tom Daunt | 20th Aug 2017

EQUESTRIAN: Stirling's Crossing Equestrian Complex is celebrating winning the bid to host Australia's most prestigious endurance event, the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, in 2019.

Complex owner and founder of Stirling's Crossing Endurance Club Matthew Sample said he was delighted that the venue had secured the event given it only opened last year.

"The Tom Quilty is the biggest national championship endurance ride in the southern hemisphere, spanning 160 kilometres and attracting over 300 riders from across Australia,” Sample said.

"We're thrilled to be hosting it in Imbil for the first time in 2019 and expect to have horses and riders travelling from all corners of the country to compete.

"It really is an iconic event steeped in history since it was established by R.M. Williams in 1966 and the original gold cup still has pride of place in the Stockman's Hall of Fame in Longreach.”

Read more here:
https://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/mary-valley-complex-wins-bid-for-exclusive-event/3214357/

Great Britain: Rich haul for UAE riders

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Al Ketbi leads sweep of three titles at HH Shaikh Mohammad Endurance Cup Festival

Published: 23:30 August 19, 2017 Gulf News
Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing & Special Features Writer

Dubai: Salem Hamad Al Ketbi led a UAE sweep of three of the four classes at the prestigious HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum UK Endurance Cup Festival at Euston Park in England on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Al Ketbi, who has 49 rides under his belt, completed the gruelling CEI 3* 180km ride in seven hours, 34 minutes and 26 seconds aboard the grey gelding Klim De Jansavis.

Spanish rider Eulalia Gonzalez Guardia took the runner-up slot with nine-year-old stallion Umrod De Keropartz. He crossed the finish line at the Suffolk venue in 07:35:34 seconds.

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/rich-haul-for-uae-riders-1.2076845

Careful planning helps Sultan Mizan's team surge to victory

By ADRIAN DAVID - August 20, 2017 @ 8:40pm

SETIU: A carefully-calculated strategy and high morale helped Malaysia bag the two gold medals at the 80km equestrian endurance race at the Terengganu International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong.

Team manager Che Mat Din said they had studied the strengths and weaknesses of their rivals, especially main challengers Thailand, before formulating a plan to succeed.

“After 20km, we changed our plan when we found out Thailand and Cambodia lagging behind by some 20 and 30 minutes, respectively. We were cruising at an average speed of 20 km per hour and got our rhythm going.

“During the water break and short rest as they completed the first leg of 35km, I advised the team riders to maintain their speed into the second leg of 25km.

“When I observed we were clearly ahead by at least an hour over Thailand and Cambodia, I told them just to relax and cruise ahead and not to push their horses further,” said Che Mat.

He added that the strategy worked well in Malaysia's favour as the riders' horses were not spent towards the last leg and even managed to magnificently gallop to the finish line.

Terengganu ruler Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, astride Rtes Annaversary, won the individual gold with fellow Malaysian Mohd Bulkhari Rozali, riding JQ Tuan Junior, grabbing silver.

Three other Malaysians in Mohammad Fuad Hashim, riding Mora Makaka, Mohd Adhwa Embong, riding Mora Franka, and woman Azizatul Asma Abdullah, riding Mora Tishaka, finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

However, as tournament rules did not permit more than two from the same team to win medals, Thailand's Warit Khuntaraporn, astride Shardell Prince Ali, who finished sixth was awarded the individual bronze.

Also, no same rider is allowed to win both the individual and team medals.

But there was no denying Malaysia the team gold as Fuad, Adhwa, Azizatul and Mohd Yusran Yusuf, who was forced to retire after his horse Castlebr Twilight was injured, won the team gold.

All the top five Malaysian riders broke the Games record of six hours, 26 minutes and four seconds set by fellow Malaysian Sulaiman Muda at the Myanmar Games in 2013.

Che Mat said the Malaysian riders will be put to test in October during the Sultan Mizan's Cup 120km endurance race at TIEP and the South East Asia Cup on Dec 20.

Azizatul, who finished fifth at an endurance race in France earlier this year, is due to compete in the World Junior Endurance Race in Verona, Italy next year, where she is the top seed.

Azizatul said they had to race closely together as a team at the Sea Games, as it boosted each other's morale to stay ahead of the competition.

"The weather and condition of the horses also played a key role, apart from our riding skills and strategy. I am glad we did it," she said.

Bulkhari said their proactive measures taken during the race worked greatly in their favour.

"For me, I have to thank my horse for doing a good job by following my riding instructions. I coaxed it by giving it occasional pats and affectionate touches to urge it to race forward.

"This despite the fact that I was riding it only for the third time. I guess, I had build a good chemistry with it to bring results," said Bulkhri.

Fuad also had the same comments adding that he would even give his horse a kiss to show he appreciated its good showing.

Adhwa praised his horse for much of the work done and said there was still a lot of training to do to win more medals.

Meanwhile, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the success of the riders augured well for the state to further promote equestrian endurance riding as four of the five medalists were born and bred in Terengganu.

"This success story is due to the diligence of the riders, trainers and officials. They made us proud with not only wining both gold but in record fashion, too," said Razif.

The ruler's wife, Sultanah Nur Zahirah, presented the prizes to the winners.

[Full story]

Denmark's Neland pips UAE's Alyazia to gold

photo: It was a superb end to a highly competitive ladies ride at the Bois de la Cambre, an urban public park situated on the edge of the Sonian Forests in the Belgian capital of Brussels.

Rides were part of the three-day Brussels Equestrian Endurance Masters which was supported by the Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival

brussels - Denmark's Merethe Neland won the individual gold and France emerged team champions in the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Nations Ladies Cup, a CEIO two-star 120-km ride, while Sebastien Valerio of France won the 120-km Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup International CEI two star ride in Brussels on Friday.

The two rides were part of the three-day Brussels Equestrian Endurance Masters (Beem) which was supported by the Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

In fact it was heartbreak for the UAE lady rider Alyazia Al Romaithi in the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Nations Ladies Cup and for the UAE rider Butti Ghemran Al Qubaisi in the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup as both of them led going into the final stage but could only end up in second places.

The ladies ride was one of the most hot-contested events and when the final three crossed the finish line after negotiating the 120-km distance, just two seconds separated the top three.

Denmark's Merethe Neland on 11-year-old Paragon managed to pip the UAE's Alyazia Al Romaithi on 10-year-old Holoutaria and in close third was Virginia Atger of France on Quersane Des Pins.

It was a superb end to a highly competitive ladies ride at the Bois de la Cambre, an urban public park situated on the edge of the Sonian Forests in the Belgian capital of Brussels.

After three stages of 39.5kms, 32.7kms, 30.3kms in the 120-km ride, the final stage of 23.4 kms left, the UAE's Alyazia Al Romaithi on Holoutaria was five seconds ahead of the Danish rider while a second behind in third was Atger of France. With leads changing hands and the three riders in a very competitive mode, they finished almost together but one second separated Neland from the UAE's top rider Alyazia and Atger finished third for the Bronze.

Merethe Neland and Paragon completed the 120-km distance in a time of 6 hours 28 minutes and 06 seconds, with the Alyazia and Atger finishing one second behind respectively.

In the team championship among ladies, France took the Gold while hosts Belgium helped themselves to Silver and they were the only two teams that had three riders from their team completing the ride.

In the 120-km Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup International CEI two-star ride, which was run along with the Sheikha Fatima ladies ride, three UAE riders were in the top four going into the final stage with Butti Ghemran Al Qubaisi on Ffaramir ahead of Sebastien Valerio of France riding Gindastik. Butti and Ffaramir had led every stage until the final one and that seemed to take its toll. The Frenchman and his horse Gindastik stayed steady and won the 120-km ride in 6 hrs 33 mins and 04 seconds while Butti Ghemran Al Qubaisi on Ffaramir completely slowed down keeping the welfare of the horse in mind and completed over 45 minutes behind the winner. Ahmed Ali Al Marzouki on Uperkut Charbonnier finished third for the UAE.

[full story]

Sultan Mizan gallops to majestic victory

By ADRIAN DAVID - August 20, 2017 @ 11:50am

SETIU: After just over three hours of tough galloping, a vigorous Terengganu ruler Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin was all smiles as he led Malaysia to two gold and one silver medal at the 29th Kuala Lumpur Sea Games 80km equestrian endurance race.

There was plenty of euphoria as team officials handed the Jalur Gemilang flag to His Majesty and the next two riders upon reaching the finishing line 9.20am at the Terengganu Internationμal Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong.

Apart from Malaysia, the other teams were from Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei who were flagged off by Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman.

On the back of his mount Rtes Annaversary , Sultan Mizan strode in first to win the individual gold, followed closely by Mohd Bulkhari Rozali, riding JQ Tuan Junior, who won the individual silver.

He is the first Sultan to have participated in Sea Games history.

It was also the first time Sultan Mizan had won gold in equestrian endurance at the Sea Games, although Malaysia had bagged two gold at the 2013 Myanmar Games.

Although Mohammad Fuad Hashim who finished third astride his horse Mora Makaka, competition rules do not allow a rider from the same team to win all three available medals, thus, denying him the bronze.

However, officials declared gold for fellow Malaysians Mohd Adhwa Embong and Azizatul Asma Abdullah, who rode Mora Franka and Mora Tishaka respectively.

Malaysia’s sixth rider, Mohd Yusran Yusuf was forced to retire midway in the race after his horse Castlebar Twilight limped off injured.

A beaming Sultan Mizan credited team effort for Malaysia’s success.

“We worked in cohesion, moved together and our strategy worked. Although it was a long race, it did not seem boring or lethargic as we galloped energetically.”

Sultan Mizan, who ranks fourth in the world, has vast experience having competed in numerous international equestrian endurance events in the Middle East and Europe.

“I would like to congratulate all and sundry, from the trainers, horse handlers, veterinarians, officials to the state government, for helping us achieve our target and working tirelessly for a successful race which went without any untoward incident,” he said.

The ruler hoped Malaysia’s success would boost its chances to host the Asian Endurance Cup and the World Junior Endurance Championship next year.

The sultan won third place in the Sultan Mizan Cup International Endurance Riding Championship at TIEP last year.

Representing Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES), Sultan Mizan recorded an average speed of 16.257 km per hour in the race.

[full article]

Malaysia's Sultan Mizan creates SEA Games history

SETIU, Aug 19 — Terengganu Sultan, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin will go down in SEA Games history as the first Sultan to participate in the SEA Games and probably win a medal as he joins local and foreign participants in the SEA Games (KL2017) Endurance race which offers two gold medals.

Endurance which features five countries offers two gold medals in individual and team events.

In the 80km event, the Sultan and the rest of the participants will be flagged at 3am and expected to complete the race by 5pm.

All five riders representing the country are from the east coast states, four from Terengganu — Muhammad Fuad Hashim, Mohd Bulkhari Rozali, Mohd Adhwa Embong, Azizatul Asma Abdullah while Mohd Yusran Yusuf is from Kelantan.

Malaysian team manager Malaysia Che Mat Din Ismail said Sultan Mizan’s participation was not only a historic moment for the state of Terengganu, for the SEA Games as well since this was the first time a Sultan is participating in an Endurance race.

Sultan Mizan will be riding on his horse Rtes Annaversary, Muhammad Fuad (Mora Makaka, Mohd Adhwa (Mora Franka), Mohd Bulkhari (JQ Tuan Junior), Mohd Yusran (Castlebar Twilight) and Azizatul Asma (Mora Tishaka).

Apart from Sultan Mizan, petite Azizatul Asma, 21, is expected to be the focus of the competition since she becomes the first woman to compete in an Endurance event of the SEA Games although the event is normally dominated by men.

Azizatul will be riding her horse Mora Tishaka that won third place at the 120km Endurance race of the 2013 FEI World Endurance For Young Riders and Junior in Uruguay.

Meanwhile, the President of ‘Veterinary Delegate’ Prof Madya Datuk Dr Bashir Ahmad Fateh Mohamed said 25 horses from five countries had passed the first phase of inspection at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP), here today.

“The 25 horses are from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia and Brunei. This is however, the first of check up on the horses because after finishing every loop, the horses must attend an inspection to determine if they can continue the race,” he told Bernama, here today. — Bernama


Full story here