Endurance GB introduces Young Rider Spotlight Scholarship Scheme

February 5 2018

Endurance GB, the National Governing Body for the sport of Endurance Riding, has launched a scholarship scheme to develop Young Riders in Endurance. The programme will bring promising Young Riders into the “Spotlight” from the start of the 2018 season.
 
The Spotlight programme is designed to support development in the sport, providing coaching, training and financial support to eligible combinations. Horse welfare will be at the heart of the programme, equipping the next generation of sporting ambassadors with the skills and knowledge to fulfil their personal ambitions within the sport of endurance.
 
To maintain a place on the Spotlight programme, riders will be expected to uphold excellent horse welfare standards at all times and to this end they will:
 
-      Attend 1 riding lesson a month with a UKCC coach or registered instructor – to be paid for by EGB
-      Complete ‘BHS Complete Horsemanship’ – to be paid for by EGB
-      Attend at least 2 of the YR/JR training events
-      Attend specific training courses i.e. horse nutrition, sports psychology TBC
-      Complete a monthly blog promoting their progress
-      Return a monthly report on their BHS work and progress in the Spotlight programme
 
Endurance GB will support committed riders and will work with them to refine their goals over the course. EGB will, each year, support riders with a contribution to fuel costs when they take the next step up. The development of the new programme is thanks to Endurance GB sponsor HPG Endurance Ltd, who have played an active role in encouraging the organisation to invest in all ages and levels of rider.
 
Rebecca Kinnarney, EGB Development Director commented, “EGB is delighted to be able to support Young Riders with the Spotlight Scholarship; we look forward to engaging with the first cohort and seeing them progress. This is a generous scheme and will work two ways, with a firm and active commitment from the Young Riders selected to maintain their space on the course.”
 
To apply for a place on the Spotlight Programme, riders must complete an application form and send it to Rebecca Kinnarney. An impartial panel will assess applications, following which an assessment will be arranged either at an EGB training day, or privately at the applicant’s yard. Scholarships will then be awarded to the successful applicants.

UAE: Al Junaibi powers Sarab to triumph

Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article

February 3 2018

The top four riders were awarded 4WD cars and a total of 172 riders started the four-stage race and 46 completed.

A superb effort by Rashed Hamoud Humaid Al Junaibi on 10-year-old gelding Sarab gave the Al Wathba Stables a dominating win in the Emirates Championship FEI CEI two-star 120-km Endurance Ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

The Al Wathba Stables is owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Al Junaibi and Sarab completed the 120-km ride in 04hrs 11mins 45secs...

Read more here:
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/horse-racing/al-junaibi-powers-sarab-to-triumph

India: Horse Endurance Championship in Lonavala was a huge success

Timesofindia.indiatimes.com - Full Article

February 3 2018

The Marwari Horse Endurance Championship 2018, held in Lonavala, recently, had all the excitement that was promised and more. Over fifty horses took to the field in three categories -20km, 40km and 60 kms courses. This annual event is organised by the Indigenous Horse Owners Association and attracted riders not only from Maharashtra, but other states too.

The event started at the first stroke of daybreak giving the horses and riders enough cool weather to set a good pace and show what they are capable of. The energy was unrelenting and the challenge immense, given the uneven nature of the terrain and the difficulty of the cross- country course...

Read more here:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/pune/horse-endurance-championship-in-lonavala-was-a-huge-success/articleshow/62768140.cms

Rider strategies affect likelihood of Endurance eliminations, study shows

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

February 2, 2018
Horsetalk.co.nz

The judgment calls of Endurance riders over their speed, especially in the early loops, are major factors in their elimination or failure to finish 120km races, the findings of a new study show.

British researchers David Marlin and Jane Williams said race-pace strategies had been extensively studied in running, cycling and swimming. However, it appeared to have been largely ignored in equestrian sport, despite its potential to optimise performance.

The pair analysed publicly available data for electronically timed FEI 120km CEI** Endurance races that took place in Europe and the Middle East in 2016 and 2017, in what is believed to be the first peer-reviewed published study on race-pace strategy within the discipline...

Read more at https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2018/02/02/rider-strategies-endurance-elimination-study/#Ml1CDR4jiTrgK17F.99

Endurance Great Britain introduces welfare seminar series

January 30 2018 

Endurance GB, the National Governing Body for the sport of Endurance Riding, has announced the first two dates of its series of Horse Welfare Seminars it will host this winter.
 
Taking place on Saturday 3rd February at the Woodside Hotel in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, the first seminar will be hosted as part of the International seminar by the International Committee. The event, which will take place from 9am – 5pm, will feature talks from key industry figures on the issue of horse welfare in endurance. The seminar will feature talks from the following speakers and cover the following subject matter:
 
·         Roly Owers, CEO of World Horse Welfare - Welfare of the Competing Horse
·         Prof. Tim Parkin from Glasgow University – Endurance Injuries study
·         Henry Bullen, Peden Bloodstock  - Travelling your horse
·         Dr Sophie Ignarski, Boehringer Ingelheim - Muscle Development
·         Dr Mark Caldwell, FWCF - Endurance Farriery
·         Ian Williams – Former FEI Endurance Director - FEI Endurance

On Saturday 3rd March, 9am – 5:30pm, the second seminar will be hosted by the Welfare Committee at the British Racing School Conference Centre in Newmarket, Suffolk. It will focus on Use Not Abuse of the performance horse and will feature the following guest speakers and talks:
 
·         Roly Owers, CEO of World Horse Welfare - an insight into the Use not Abuse of performance horses and the global Visibility of horses
·         Dr Annamaria Nagy, Animal Health Trust - Lameness in Endurance Horses 
·         Prof. Tim Parkin from Glasgow University - Work to predict and minimise Risk in Endurance Worldwide
·         Lee Clark, Functional Physiotherapy - The importance of Saddle and Rider balance 
·         Dr David Marlin, Scientific and Equine Consultant - Training, Competition and Career Strategy
·         Tom Eaton-Evans MRCVS (Newmarket Equine Hospital) - Inside the Treatment
·         Dr Annamaria Nagy, Animal Health Trust - Q&A session on The Purpose of the Vetgate

Both seminars will end with an open Q&A with Endurance GB guest speakers.
 
Nicki Thorne, Chair of Endurance GB, said: “Our focus for Endurance GB is centred around our commitment to the positive promotion and growth of the sport, which horse welfare is absolutely an imperative part of. Through our Horse Welfare seminars, we will draw upon key issues and provide attendees with vital education to ensure the safeguarding of our sport.
 
“Horse welfare is a fundamental pillar in terms of our strategy, focus and plans for EGB and as the newly appointed Chair I hope to bring a fresh, new approach in making positive changes for the benefit of our Membership, our sport and of course for horse welfare.”
 
Spaces for each event are limited, so please book your ticket in advance to avoid disappointment. For further information or to book your ticket, visit www.endurancegb.co.uk.

For more information, please contact GUNG HO Communications:
Pippa Routledge         pippa@gunghoco.com           +44 121 6046366
Paul Phedon               paul@gunghoco.com             +44 121 6046366
 

New Zealand Championship series gets underway at Taupo National Equestrian Centre

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

26 January 2018
Race Report made with the assistance of Daryl Owen

Taupo National Equestrian Centre. Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 January 2018. A select but strong field started this season’s 160km event at the ESNZ North Island Championships in Taupo.

The starting line-up suggested the probable leaders, and this was indeed the case for the first part of the event. Georgia Smith and Glenmore Vixen led strongly from the start, with Alison Higgins, Sian Reid and Amanda McConachy not far behind. As day dawned the temperature climbed, the humidity reaching 85% at one point. The field thinned out as the hard ground took its toll in gait irregularities.

As expected Georgia Smith was first across the finish line but unfortunately went out lame at the last vet check. All eyes were on the remaining three riders. Deirdre Bartlett and Craig Royston Zaria, in their first 160km, took the win in 13:28:05, and were also awarded Best Conditioned...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/new-zealand-championship-series-gets-underway-taupo-national-equestrian-centre/

India: Marwari horses to prove their mettle this weekend

Timesofindia - Full Article

Shiladitya Pandit | TNN | Updated: Jan 25, 2018

PUNE: For a while now, Mumbai-based property consultant Ajay Shah has been spending nearly half the week at his stable in Lonavla to look after his horses. On January 26, he will be taking part in The Marwari Horse Endurance Championship, an equestrian sport, all for his passion for riding.

"I attend to my five horses in Lonavla at least thrice a week. Horses and equestrian sports are my passion. I have been riding since 1972 and the Endurance Championship is just an extension of that passion. Riding has helped me keep fit because of the concentration and balancing skills that go into it," the 67-year-old remarked.
Besides, he is participating "not for the prize", but for the thrill. "I am one of the oldest participants. So I am happy to have qualified and I will compete on the 20km course," said Shah...

Read more here:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/marwari-horses-to-prove-their-mettle-this-weekend/articleshow/62641429.cms