Italy: 16 Teams to contend the World Title

ItaliaEnduranceFestival.com

18/09/2017 - evento sportivo

FEI MEYDAN Endurance Championship for athletes under 21 years of age; the curtain will lift shortly.
Lake Garda's bank watching toward Valeggio sul Mincio begins to come to life with the first arrivals, mostly from the more distant Countries.

33 Nations will be present at the big venue organized in and around Sigurtà Garden Park, and 16 of these Nations have been able to present a Team with at least 3 pairs.

We're now waiting for everyone to make their choices and designate those who will defend their Country's colors, and who will be in reserve as well.

The 4 USA riders are: Katelyn Baldino aboard Synthetic, Regan Kelly riding Kharismas Grace, Ainsley Suskey aboard and Princess Deelites MHF, and Annie Whelan riding Wallace Hill Leo.

Anya Levermann will represent Canada aboard Kataki.

Start list is here:
http://www.enduranceonline.it/events/events_details_n.php?gara_id=984&cat=V4_5

Malaysia’s Horse Whisperer

Thestar.com.my - Full Article

17 Sept 2017
By Rajes Paul

NOW, why would a septuagenarian, who quit the equestrian scene 10 years ago, want to get back on the saddle and compete in a 100-mile race?

For 72-year-old former world No. 1 equestrian rider Datuk Kamarud­din Abdul Ghani, it’s all about sending a message to the new generation.

“It’s not just about me riding again. Over the last five decades, I’ve competed in polo, show jumping, dressage and all distances in endurance races – from 40km to 240km.

“I’ve raced in the mountains, desert, jungle, hills and under all kinds of terrain and weather in different parts of the world. I’ve done it all. Now, I want the next generation of riders to go one level higher.

“I want to go around the country’s many riding places. I want to see them all flourish – from managing the stables to organising events and producing talents.

“We have good riders. We saw that during the recent KL SEA Games. But I want them to rise to another level,” said Kamaruddin, who intends to complete the Grand Slam of endurance by riding the 100-mile race in the Tevies Cup in Nevada, United States, next year.

He has already done two other 100-mile races – the Endurance Race in Florac, France, and the Tom Quilty Endurance in Tasmania, Australia, in the late 1990s...

Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/other-sport/2017/09/17/malaysias-horse-whisperer-septuagenarian-kamaruddin-still-going-strong-in-bid-to-make-country-proud/#vSyWIb4rCSEBwheC.99

Australia: Dungog equestrian competes in iconic endurance event

Dungogchronicle.com.au - Full Article

MICHELLE MEXON
14 Sep 2017

A Dungog equestrian has faced and conquered a gruelling challenge, completing a 400 kilometre horse endurance ride over five days.

Monique Echentille from Main Creek competed in the Shahzada Memorial Endurance Ride which attracts competitors from across the country.

Shahzada is held annually in the last full week of August in the mountains surrounding the picturesque Macdonald Valley, at St Albans, north west of Sydney.

The ride is named after Shahzada, a champion grey Arab stallion, foaled in 1913 in the United Kingdom and brought to Australia in 1925.

The ride’s motto is “To finish is to win” with the emphasis on completing the whole 400km course with both horse and rider fit and well.

Monique was one of 44 riders to start the 400km ride and one of only 20 to successfully finish with her mount Follydown Kadin, a 15-year-old Arab.

She completed the course in 47 hours and four minutes...

Read more here:
http://www.dungogchronicle.com.au/story/4914525/endurance-rider-conquers-shahzada/

US Equestrian Begins the Countdown to the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 on Native Soil

USEF.org

An estimated 500,000 spectators expected for 14 days as the best-of-the-best compete in equestrian sport

by US Equestrian Communications Department | Sep 12, 2017

Lexington, Ky. – The FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG), which take place Sept. 11-23, 2018, at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, N.C., US Equestrian, in conjunction with the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) and TIEC, are beginning to prepare spectators and athletes alike for the phenomenon that is the WEG.

Since 1990, the WEG has been held every four years, halfway between the Summer Olympic Games cycle, and brings together the world’s elite equestrian athletes from eight FEI equestrian disciplines – including the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing, and jumping.

The FEI serves as the worldwide governing body of equestrian sport, while US Equestrian is the national governing body for equestrian sport in the United States. With the WEG hosted on home soil, US Equestrian will be instrumental in preparing and coordinating with the athletes that are selected to represent the United States in Tryon in 2018.

“We are thrilled that the WEG is being hosted in the U.S.,” says US Equestrian President Murray Kessler. “[WEG] gives US Equestrian a great opportunity to celebrate the joy of horse sports with millions of Americans in a way that will help grow engagement and participation in all equestrian sports in this country."

Expected to be one of the largest sports-related spectator events in the U.S. in 2018, the WEG is expected to draw nearly 500,000 people during the 11 days of competition, with 40,000-50,000 spectators each day. The 2014 Games in Normandy brought an estimated economic impact of over $14 million and attracted almost 1,000 athletes, over 1,000 horses, 74 nations, 1,900 credentialed media from 52 countries, and approximately 575,000 spectators to the event. Similar statistics are projected for the Tryon 2018 Games.

The WEG returns to U.S. soil following the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., in 2010. The Tryon 2018 Games will be only the second on U.S. soil. The full history of the WEG is available on the FEI’s website.

Team and individual gold, silver, and bronze medals will be at stake in eight FEI disciplines during the Games. Following are the FEI descriptions of each discipline represented:

• Jumping: a spectacular mix of courage, control, and technical ability that make it easy to see why it is one of the three equestrian Olympic sports
• Dressage: the ultimate expression of horse training and elegance. Often compared to a ballet, dressage features an intense connection between both human and equine athlete that is a thing of beauty to behold
• Para-equestrian dressage: para, meaning ‘parallel,’ is dressage for athletes with disabilities and is evidence of the incredible bond, trust, and communication between horse and rider; a regular fixture at the Paralympic Games
• Eventing: a formidable combination of cross-country, jumping, and dressage; known as the triathlon of the equestrian world. A truly complete sport that tests both the horse and rider in all aspects of horsemanship
• Driving: also known as combined driving, is three days of competition (dressage, marathon, and cones), and an incredible display of fitness and stamina for both horse and driver
• Endurance: an ultra-marathon with horses on a 160-km course in one day, endurance racing is the ultimate test of stamina for both horse and rider
• Vaulting: simply described as gymnastics on horseback, vaulting is a harmonious bond between horse and athlete that creates awe-inspiring acrobatic displays of skill and precision
• Reining: with a history based on the skills that ranching horses would have needed, including large, fast circles, flying lead changes, 360-degree spins, and sliding stops, reining is one of the most exciting, thrilling, and breathtaking equestrian sports to witness

Opening ceremonies will take place Tuesday, September 11, with competition beginning on Wednesday, September 12, 2018. A competition schedule is currently available online, and tickets are expected to go on sale later this month via tryon2018.com.

UAE: Video: Meet Emirati endurance rider Fatima Al Harthi

Emirateswoman.com - Full Article & Video

This up-and-coming equestrian athlete has a simple message for other young women: “Never stop.”

We’ve got another incredible young Emirati athlete for you to cheer on, and this one’s coming on horseback.

Fatima Al Harthi first got into riding as a child, inspired by her mother’s love of the sport. Now, at 27, she’s making a name for herself in the challenging field of endurance riding. That means racing distances of 80, 100 or even 120 kilometres, and spending up to 15 hours in the saddle.

This isn’t exactly a casual weekend ride.

Al Harthi, who’s based in Abu Dhabi, says that what keeps her going on those long distances is the bond she has with her horses.

“Horses are very beautiful and lovely to communicate with. They have a unique characters and feelings,” she says...

Read more & see video here:
http://emirateswoman.com/video-meet-emirati-endurance-rider-fatima-al-harthi/

Royal Cavalry of Oman win third place in French Florac Endurance Race

Timesofoman.com - Full Article

September 11, 2017 | 3:12 PM by Times News Service

Muscat: Royal Cavalry of Oman clinched third place in the 160km French Florac Endurance Race in France.

The latest achievement of Royal Cavalry of Oman was made possible by Ali Hassan Al Farsi, who rode ‘Khanjar’ to the third place after overcoming difficult conditions and stiff competition.

The result helped the Royal Cavalry to take the number of Omanis achieving qualifying berths in the World Equestrian Games to five.

The World Equestrian Games will take place at the Tyron International Equestrian Center in North Carolina, U.S., from September 11 to September 23, 2018.

More at:
http://timesofoman.com/article/116867/Sports/More-sports/Horse-racing-Royal-Cavalry-of-Oman-win-third-place-in-French-Florac-Endurance-Race

France: 2017 Florac

Boudheib Initiative

FLORAC 9th September 2017 - 160km CEI/CEN***


When one thinks of world class endurance, there are only 3 venues which spring to mind, Tevis, Quilty & Florac. So it was a huge priviledge to combine the philosophy of the Boudheib Initiative (BI) with this year's Florac CEI/CEN*** 160km. Event organiser, Jean-Paul Boudon's vision to invite Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nayhan's BI protocol strengthening the focus of the welfare of the endurance horse has been widely applauded.

The oldest 160km endurance ride in Europe & steeped in equestrian history, Florac, based in the heart of Persikland in the beautiful Cevennes region of Southern France, celebrated its 42nd year at the helm of international endurance this weekend and the crowds and participants were not disappointed! 54 competitors and their trusted horses set off at 4.30 am on Saturday morning to tackle the immensely challenging 160km 5 loop course set amongst some of the most spectacular scenery France has to offer, climbing and descending enormous hills and valleys - the weather also proved challenging with temperatures around 11 degrees and rain settling in around late morning. Fortunately conditions improved for most of the afternoon and 29 competitors (more than 50% completion rate) arrived home safely to enormous cheers, and some tears of joy as the atmosphere at Florac is exceptionally moving - to complete this course reveals the necessity for strong partnerships between horses & their riders.


Competitors from 9 countries from as far afield as Australia, Colombia, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, & the UAE. together with 5 entries representing the Royal Cavalry of Oman set out to win the coveted prize at Florac, but the overall winner with an average speed of 16.288 kph was Spain's Robert Diez Noguera riding 9 year old Sunit Du Colombier.

Huge respect and many congratulations go to Robert & Sunit Du Colombier who also won Florac's 160km together in 2016, a wonderful role model for sustainable endurance. 66 year old Daniel Ollivier and Pot Made led the way throughout the first 4 loops and were only beaten during the last 23km leg to come home 2nd with an average speed of 16.029 kph in Daniel's first participation at Florac - Daniel was delighted though to win the Boudheib Initiative's BECA (Best Endurance Challenge Award) 1st prize and received a cheque for 2,000 euros together with a Gaston Mercier endurance saddle & handsome trophy.

BECA's 2nd place went to French rider Virginie Atger with her lovely grey Tonik Armor in an average speed of 15.130kph and in BECA's 3rd position was Ali Hassan Yousaf Al Farsi riding Khandjar Du Boulve from the Royal Cavalry of Oman who also took 3rd place in the CEI3* event.

Not only is the Florac 160km race a resounding endurance success but was also an exceptional result for descendants of the famous horse Persik with the 1st four home all being Persik descendants:-


1st place - Sunit Du Colombier (Persik dam lines)

2nd place - Pot Made (Persik sire lines)

3rd place - Khandjar Du Boulve (Persik sire lines)

4th place - Papillon Du Parc (Persik dam lines)


Many great achievements are made in Florac but one of the most incredible tests of sustainable endurance has to be the continueing participation of Frenchman Denis Pesce who has taken part for the last 30 years and won Florac's formidable 160km eight times with five different horses and is still competing this year with his wife, Marilyn Lemoine, riding Ultimatum Mirbel.


The Boudheib Initiative is delighted to be part of Florac 2017 and offers very many congratulations to all who completed and we hope to see you all again next year.


Many thanks go to Jean-Paul Boudon and his team for the excellent event organisation and to the highly professional team of veterinary staff and ground jury who all helped to ensure Florac 2017 was a huge success.

BOUDHEIB INITIATIVE - DRIVING THE FUTURE OF ENDURANCE
www.facebook@boudheib

For full FEI results go to www.atrm-systems.fr

Article & photos by Leigh Young