Royal Cavalry of Oman win top places in Babenhausen Endurance Race in Germany

Timesofoman.com - Full Article

October 15, 2017 | 5:46 PM by Times News Service

Muscat: Royal Cavalry of Oman riders dominated the FEI Babenhausen Endurance Race taking top three places in Germany on Saturday.

According to information received from Royal Cavalry of Oman, the 160km race saw Faisal bin Ibrahim Al Farsi astride mare ‘Cara’ taking the top honours.

Mahmood bin Marhoun Al Foori on mare ‘Daleelah’ finished second and he was followed by Adel bin Said Al Balushi on stallion ‘Rafael De Lava Goal’ in the third place.

The results helped the trio to qualify for the 2018 World Equestrian Games to be organised in the U.S...

Read more here:
http://timesofoman.com/article/119436/Sports/More-sports/Horse-racing-Royal-Cavalry-of-Oman-win-top-places-in-Babenhausen-Endurance-Race-in-Germany

British equestrianism under investigation for alleged corruption, bullying and elitism

Telegraph.co.uk - Full Article

by Ben Rumsby
13 OCTOBER 2017

Alleged corruption, bullying and elitism at the top of British equestrianism was under investigation on Friday night following the launch of an independent review into the sport.

The British Equestrian Federation became the latest governing body in receipt of millions of pounds of public money to face an external investigation into its internal workings in a probe prompted by the exit of its chief executive after barely a year in charge.

In her July 13 resignation letter, Clare Salmon raised what Joanne Shaw, the BEF chairman, described as “significant and serious concerns about culture, governance and the interaction of some of the member bodies”.

Shaw announced the BEF board would commission an independent investigation, which was launched on Thursday and is being chaired by John Mehrzad, head of the sports law group at Littleton barristers’ chambers.

According to the terms of reference of the inquiry, it will cover “alleged elitism, self-interest, bullying and corruption as referred to in the resignation letter dated July 13 of former CEO Clare Salmon; and the leadership of the BEF”...

Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/equestrianism/2017/10/13/british-equestrianism-investigation-alleged-corruption-bullying/

Morocco & the Boudheib Initiative making history !

Clean Endurance

October 8 2017

This weekend saw the latest International Boudheib Initiative (BI) sponsored endurance event in Morocco's outstanding cedar forest of the Middle Atlas area of Ifran, and for the first time in Moroccan history, the first FEI CEI 1* 80km ride was held together with the BECA award for best condition. For the 2nd year since inception, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan is delighted to encourage education of the 'welfare of the endurance horse' through BI ground breaking events worldwide and takes great pride in aiding development of the true sport of endurance at grass roots level proving time and again the value of strong partnerships between horse & rider. Great care was offered by the veterinary delegation headed by Technical Delegate, Mohamed Khalfan Alyammahi, and a full day of judge & vets briefing was held in order to work closely with newcomers to the FEI, explaining health & rules for the benefit of the horse and reminding them to not be flexible when it comes to rider security and horse welfare.

The picturesque trails were perfect, with good markings, loop speeds were low averaging around 15kph ensuring an excellent 80% completion rate throughout all rides including the 3 national qualifiers of 60km, 40km & 20km, for newcomers to the sport. There was a wonderful spirit throughout the day with everyone showing their willingness to learn and they are all looking forward to the future growth of this event and to returning next year.

Special thanks goes to event organiser, Dr. Mohamed Machmoum, Director of the upcoming Salon de Cheval at El Jedida, the veterinary delegation for their unfailing hard work and to the many dignitaries who attended the event, including Ahmed Al Reasi, Chairman of the Emirates Equestrian Federation, Dr. Hammou Ouhelli, Moroccan Minister of Rural Development & Forests, General Merzak El Habili, General Secretary of the Moroccan Royal Equestrian Federation and Zouhair Mohamed, General Secretary of Ifran, and of course not forgetting all the riders, grooms, owners & trainers and our valued partners, the horses, without whom none of the events could take place!

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

article & photos by Leigh Young
Results:-

BECA results
CEI 1* 80km
1st - no 7 Arrabiefi ridden by Hammadi Smail from Le Ferme Equestre
2nd - no 8 Tissir II ridden by Hamid Bouhout Mdl from the Garde Royale
3rd - no 3 Rose des Vents ridden by Bensaid Ali Adj also from the Garde Royal
4th - no 2 Toumira ridden by Meryem Keddara from RCE Menzeh
FEI 1* 80 km CEI Results
1st no 8 - Tissir II ridden by Hamid Bouhout Mdl from the Garde Royale
2nd no 3 - Rose des Vents ridden by Bensaid Ali Adj also from the Garde Royal
3rd no 7 - Arrabiefi ridden by Hammadi Smail from Le Ferme Equestre

Popular feed supplement ingredient removed from banned substances list

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Eleanor Jones
13:05 - 6 October, 2017

Feed supplement additive MSM has been removed from the FEI’s prohibited substance list after a U-turn by the international federation.

Confusion had been caused by the inclusion of MSM (methyl sulphonyl methane), under its seldom-used alias dimethy sulphone (DSM), on the FEI’s list as a controlled medication and specified substance from 1 January next year.

The FEI told H&H in June that the naturally occurring substance, which is found in many plants and widely used in equine feed and supplements, is also the major metabolite of banned chemical DMSO, or the substance into which this solvent is broken down in the body.

A spokesman said high levels of MSM could “indicate abuse of DMSO that would be detectable for a longer time after administration”, but that it was unlikely that its therapeutic use at normal levels would cause a positive test...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/msm-removed-from-banned-substances-list-634169#4WoqAyqqwWlbPAax.99

Great Britain: Annie Joppe’s endurance blog: is this the way forward for endurance?

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Annie Joppe
10:55 - 5 October, 2017

I’m still counting down until I can ride again; but it’s now only just over three weeks until both Wizard’s and Chiara’s shoes go back on and work commences. Usually I continue to compete right up to the end of the season and then rest the endurance horses until the New Year. This time, although all three of the horses were qualified for the national championships at the Red Dragon ride, I decided against competing there this year.

The Red Dragon ride is something of an iconic event held at the Royal Welsh Showground in the heart of the Welsh mountains. It has always been one of my favourite rides with a rather special atmosphere, masses of room at the venue and such an inspiring course. No two Red Dragon rides are alike as the weather conditions are so very influential on the condition of the terrain. I have ridden there in 30 degree heat and in constant driving rain with water running off the mountains. This year, I believe it was closer to the latter...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/blog/annie-joppes-endurance-blog-way-forward-endurance-633791#gbGK4YDgwMGqIsIy.99

Emirati equestrian endurance rider Fatima Al Harthi making a name for herself in UAE

Sport360.com - Article and Video

Emirati rider Fatima Al Harthi is emerging as a force to be reckoned with in the challenging field of equestrian endurance riding in the UAE. Video courtesy of Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

by Sport360 staff
4th October 2017

Fatima Al Harthi is one of the most promising equestrian endurance riders in the United Arab Emirates.

The 27-year-old was inspired by her mother’s love of sport as a child and took up riding as a result.

Despite having a full-time job, the young Emirati dedicates two hours a day to her training as she looks to make an impact in the field of endurance riding.

It’s a challenging sport which can require the riders to spend upto 15 hours in the saddle with races ranging from 80 kilometres to 120 kilometres but her passion for it is unwavering...

Read more and see video here:
http://sport360.com/video/regional-article/250748/emirati-equestrian-endurance-rider-fatima-al-harthi-making-a-name-for-herself-in-uae

Estonian Triumph in the Northern Baltic Countries Championship held in Lithuania

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

30 September 2017
Race report made with the assistance of Ugnė Zalieckienė

Kurtuvenai, Lithuania. Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September 2017. Kurtuvenai hosted the sixth Northern Baltic Countries Equestrian Endurance Championship.

Senior riders competed in CEI2* 120km and Juniors in CEIYJ1* 80km. More than 50 combinations from Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland, and Byelorussia attended.

Endurance World Lithuania. In the forest.A though and rainy day on the eve of the competition concerned the competitors, but the weather changed to a sunny race day creating favourable conditions for the riders allowing them to go at high speed.
The battle between the most experienced riders continued till the finish line and the winner in the CEI2* 120km Kairit Jarv – EST (Mustafo Malabah) crossed the line side by side with her closest competitor ( average speed of 18.52 km/h). Second place and the Best Condition Prestige’s prize was won by Olaug Espeli Carstensen – NOR (Yassir II). The third place went to Marian Kikas – EST (Jaliszko).

The Juniors category was dominated by Estonian riders who occupied the complete podium. The top three crossed the line within ten seconds. Gold was for Annabel Kaldvee (Nilsson Ox), silver for Merilin Kalbre (Gunpowder Boy) and bronze for Mariel Olkonen (Galaxy)...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/estonian-triumph-northern-baltic-countries-championship-lithuania/