Australia: ‘To complete is to win’

Begadistrictnews.com.au - Full Article

23 October 2017

Keen riders can pick up tips and tricks on keeping their horses healthy while riding long distances at an endurance-riding training-day.

The South Coast Zone Endurance Riders Association (SCZERA) will hold educational talks and introductory rides at Willinga Park, Malua Bay, on December 3.

Committee member Clare Feary said the training day gave keen riders right along the south coast the chance to try endurance riding in a supportive environment.

“The sport motto is: to complete is to win,” Ms Feary said.

“We want to show riders how to succesfully complete a ride.”

She said joining any new sport could be confusing and difficult.

“We are welcoming new riders: Offering10, 20, and 40 kilometre rides and explaining all the rules and processes involved,” she said.

The training day was proposed after a survey by the sport’s state body found the majority of riders who hadn’t yet tried endurance riding said they needed more information and support...

Read more here:
http://www.begadistrictnews.com.au/story/5005988/horse-riders-test-long-distance/

UAE: New endurance season gets under way with double-header

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Seeh Al Salam Endurance Challenge and Al Wasl Endurance Cup to begin build-up towards HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Festival and Crown Prince Endurance Cup Festival

Published: 18:02 October 19, 2017 Gulf News
Staff Report

Dubai: The 2017-18 endurance season gets under way at Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC) this Friday and Saturday with two rides held over 100km — the Seeh Al Salam Endurance Challenge and Al Wasl Endurance Cup, restricted to private stables and individuals.
The purpose-built DIEC facility, located adjacent to the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa, is gearing up to host some of the UAE’s most prominent endurance rides including the HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Festival as well as the Crown Prince Endurance Cup Festival.

The much-awaited HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup presented by Longines now leads a week-long endurance festival to be held between December 28 and January 6, comprising a total of four rides, to celebrate the remarkable contribution and support of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for endurance riding and equestrian sport at large...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/new-endurance-season-gets-under-way-with-double-header-1.2109403

New Zealand: Endurance horse rider inducted to Marlborough Sports Hall of Fame

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

ANGELA O'CARROLL
Last updated 14:59, October 18 2017

An endurance horse rider has been inducted into the Marlborough Sports Hall of Fame.

Renwick woman Tess Wells was added to the region's list of sporting elite at a special ceremony at the Marlborough District Council on Monday.

The South Island champion has just returned from Queensland, Australia after representing Equestrian Sport New Zealand (ESNZ) in the Endurance trans-Tasman challenge.

Wells was named Marlborough Endurance Rider of the year by the Marlborough Endurance Club in July.

Wells said she was "quite nervous" for Monday night's ceremony, but excited to be inducted into the Marlborough Sports Hall of Fame, which is for Marlburians who have competed for New Zealand, in an international event at a senior level.

Her horse Barney was quite a character, with his "own opinion, everything else is a compromise", she said.

"He's not naughty, [he] just has a mind of his own..."

Read more here:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/97972128/endurance-horse-rider-inducted-to-marlborough-sports-hall-of-fame

Equestrian Australia focussed on drug-free awareness

Equestrian.org.au

17/10/2017

Equestrian Australia (EA) will be working closely with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and introducing random drug testing at events throughout Australia moving forward.

We are continually focussed on building awareness of the importance of drug-free competition at all EA sanctioned events as well as improving Member safety and horse welfare. As highlighted in EA’s Strategic Plan 2017-2020 it is a priority for Equestrian sport’s National Federation to promote safe, fair and drug-free competition and develop sound policy and process to manage and monitor Member safety.

EA urges all Riders, Stable staff and Owners involved in Equestrian sport to diligently study and observe anti-doping guidelines as set out by ASADA and the FEI, as well as the Equestrian Australia Anti-Doping policy which can all be found here http://www.equestrian.org.au/content/clean-sport-humans

From March 31st 2018, all EA coaches will have completed a minimum of the ASADA online Level 1 anti-doping course which can be located at https://elearning.asada.gov.au/ in order to renew their coaching memberships. However, EA also invites any equestrian member to take the free, online course that takes just over one hour to complete.

Officials will continue to be vigilant and will follow a strict reporting procedure at all EA sanctioned events should they be concerned about any athlete’s welfare in relation to any form of substance abuse.

This initiative is aimed at helping to ensure that competitors present themselves and their horses at all events drug-free and uphold the values of clean sport at all times.

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/