French Success for Endurance in Capitals Challenge In Fontainbleau, France

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival Sponsors Endurance in Capitals Challenge outside of Paris

16 October 2017, Paris, France ~ Arthur Desprez riding 8-year-old Verseau D’Aurabelle led a clean sweep of the French riders in the CEI Two-star 120-km HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup held on Saturday, 14 October 2017 in the forest of Fontainebleau about 60 kms from the French capital of Paris.

Desprez and his horse were in 5th place when they started on the final stage of 23kms. Until then they had averaged just over 20kmph, but in the final stage Desprez increased the pace to 25.89 kph gaining the lead from Laetita Pegaz Tocquet on Vegas De Majorie, with only one second separating the two riders. The winner completed the four-stage 120-km ride in a timing of 6 hours 02 minutes and 36 seconds.

French riders filled the top ten finish except for Germany’s Sabrina Arnold riding Bolt De Venelles who finished in seventh place. Bolt De Venelles is owned and trained by Jean-Philippe Frances...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/endurance-in-capitals-challenge-in-fontainbleau-france/

Canada's Anya Levermann Makes History on the Endurance World Stage

Equestrian.ca - Full Article

Long Distance. Young Rider. Big Accomplishment!

10 October 2017

In early 2017, Anya Levermann of 100 Mile House, BC received elite status from the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), allowing her to represent Canada in the FEI World Endurance Championships for Juniors and Young Riders in Verona, ITA on Sept. 23, 2017.

Equestrian Canada (EC) caught up with Anya after she returned home, to talk about her experience becoming the first Canadian to complete the championship, and finishing 51st out of 93 of the top junior endurance athletes in the world.

It was 10 years ago that Anya began riding endurance, an equestrian discipline that tests the endurance of horse and rider over varied terrain. As her passion for the sport grew, so did her ability to maintain safe management of a horse’s stamina and fitness. Endurance is a discipline that, although timed, puts the true emphasis on completing the race in good condition rather than racing the clock.

“The biggest highlight of the race was crossing the finish line with the Canadian flag in Italy,” said Anya. “But, the race was not finished at that point. My horse had to pass the final inspection with three veterinarians voting on the condition of my horse. I was very happy when she passed the final inspection...”

Read more here:
https://www.equestrian.ca/news/oe6mmymgpQwheZcPc/anya-levermann-makes-history-on-the

Pan American Championship: Uruguay takes all the gold

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

14 October 2017
Race report made with the assistance of Lucia Olascoaga.

Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay. Thursday 12 October 2017.

Pan American Championship, Uruguay gets all four gold medal medals: Individual Senior, Team Senior, Young Rider Individual and Team Young Rider.

The Pan American Championship being held every two years, reunites the power endurance nations of the region like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala and Uruguay. Is was the first time that this championship took place in Punta del Este.

The 120km were divided into 4 stages of 39.6km, 28.7km, 28.7km and last loop of 23km. We witnessed some very intense racing in both categories.

The senior category was won by Isha Judd – URU riding JQ Zarial. This horse raced to fifth place in the last World Championship in Slovakia.

Jonatan Rivera – URU (El Sheik) lead the race from the first loop. Along with team mate Isha Judd they were fighting against Monica Pinto Lima – BRA (CAETEC CSM) who was also pushing to get the gold. In the last loop Isha and Jonatan increased the pace to 27km.h to finally arrived hand in hand. Unfortunately Jonatan’s horse failed with metabolic at the last vet control...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/pan-american-championship-uruguay-takes-gold/

Tickets Now on Sale for FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018

USEF.org

Tickets Now on Sale for FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 in Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA on September 11-23, 2018

by Edited Press Release | Oct 16, 2017, 3:52 PM EST

Mill Spring, N.C. - Tickets for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) are now on sale. Set for September 11 through September 23 in the scenic Carolinas region of the United States, spectators can choose from a variety of ticket types to experience the world's largest equestrian championship. With all competitions happening on site at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, N.C., attendees can come for the day, a week, or the entire Games. Tickets are available online at www.tryon2018.com. Select "Buy Tickets" from the menu. Click here for FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 tickets.

Click here for WEG Ticket FAQ
Click here for 2018 FEI WEG Lodging

The initial sale of tickets for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 includes the following options: All Games Pass, Week 1 Pass, Week 2 Pass, and All Session Day Passes for all of the eight disciplines. Individual Discipline specific day sessions will be sold, subject to availability, in early November after all multi-session discipline tickets are sold.

Mark Bellissimo, CEO of host venue Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C., USA, said: "Demand from the event is way beyond our expectations, and it would not surprise me if this event were to sell out early. We have experienced unprecedented demand, far bigger than we ever anticipated. There is tremendous appetite for this event, so we encourage people to buy now."

As one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world, the WEG is the world championship event for eight equestrian disciplines: jumping, dressage and para-equestrian dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting, and reining. In looking forward to the WEG, Michael Stone, President and Sports Director of FEI WEG organizing committee, shared, “This is going to put Tryon and the equestrian sports on the map.”

Stone continued, “We really want to enhance the words of US Equestrian’s vision, ‘Joy of Horse Sports.’ We want to show people how fantastic all of the horses are, while showing the successes of the world’s best equestrian athletes. We want everybody to have fun and to see it all. We look forward to sharing all eight disciplines and explaining each discipline to those who come to enjoy the FEI World Equestrian Games.”

Opening Ceremonies and Closing Ceremonies tickets will be sold separately in early December after details are released. Day passes that allow access to the venue to experience the trade fair, event expo, as well as equestrian demonstrations will be sold three months prior to the event.

VIP tickets and hospitality packages will also be released in early November, and customers can trade up their purchased tickets toward these higher-value ticketing/hospitality options.

Due to the high demand for ticket packages, those ticketing types are being offered first to ensure that those who want to purchase ticket packages can receive the same seats for all events. Seats will be assigned on a first come, first served basis according to the date and timestamp of the ticket purchase. The earlier your purchase, the better your seats.

All Session Day Passes are currently SOLD OUT. We will re-evaluate the release of additional All Session Day Passes at the time of Individual Discipline Session tickets in November
We anticipate a sold-out event, as pre-purchase ticket sales were significantly above estimates
Ticket prices listed on the website are the advance public ticket prices, which are discounted from prices for sales, subject to availability, on the day of the event

Prices do not include tax and 8.5 percent processing fee, which will be applied upon checkout.

To start planning a trip to the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, visit www.tryon2018.com.

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