ESNZ Nationals at Springfield the FEI Championship Series Decider

NZEquestrian.org.nz

by Daryl Owen

The ESNZ Endurance Championship series comes to a close over Easter weekend with the ESNZ Endurance Nationals, being held at Springfield, Canterbury. It’s also the final event of five in the FEI series. With only one ride to go Naomi O’Shaughnessy and Castlebar Party Girl hold a commanding lead in the FEI series, this year sponsored by Mitavite. In the Championship series the competition is much closer, with only point between leader Alison Higgins on Northwinds Apollo and Naomi. Mistakes or misfortune by any one of those on the leader board could change the allocation of trophies tremendously. This region is renowned for challenging conditions and rocky ground so riders will need to be vigilant.

There are strong entries for this year’s Nationals. With a matter of days before competition starts just less than 100 horses are entered. Almost a third of those are entered in CTR classes, testament to the great work being done by host club, Canterbury Endurance and Trail Riding Club, in promoting the sport and encouraging new riders...

Read more at:
https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2018/03/esnz-nationals-at-springfield-the-fei-championship-series-decider/

Morocco desert stallion race pushes limits of endurance

Arabnews.com - Full Article

Published — Saturday 17 March 2018

ERFOUD, Morocco: Battling gusts of sandy wind, riders from across the world struggled to control feisty stallions as they raced in the first Gallops of Morocco, a desert endurance challenge.

In a country with an ancient history of horsemanship, the event in the wilderness of Merzouga was the first of its kind — a six-day test of stamina, navigation and teamwork.

Competitors spend four to seven hours a day in the saddle, covering up to 30 kilometers (18 miles) of rough terrain a day.

“You need a certain physical resistance,” said Deborah Amsellem, 30, who headed from Toulouse, France, with four friends to take part in the race near the oasis town of Erfoud...

Read more here:
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1268141/sports

France: Riders and horses put to the test in Raid des Contrebandiers

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

March 15 2018
Race Report made with the assistance of Sarah Sillero Photography

Hasparren, France. Saturday 25 February 2018. After days of hard rain, a splendid winter sun made each colour true for the “Raid des Contrebandiers” where riders were able to gallop between Pyrenees mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.

This first race of the year, is a good opportunity for endurance riders to prepare their racing season. A well-established event with its unique course in France, much appreciated by the riders. Many don’t hesitate to make the journey; local Aquitain riders as well as a courageous team from Brittany (headed by France Paul and Paul Bard), Marja Salomaa from Finland, and Spanish riders (Oier Etxenique from Guipuzkoa; Jesus Muniz from Asturias and Carlos Louis de Villa from Cantabria)...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/riders-and-horses-put-to-the-test-in-raid-des-contrebandiers/

British Equestrian Federation could lose £21m funding after bullying is revealed

TheGuardian.com - Full Article

• Commission finds climate of elitism, bullying and self-interest
• Federation faces losing £21m of funding

Press Association
Thu 15 Mar 2018 07.40 EDT

The British Equestrian Federation has been told it risks losing public funding of more than £21m after a damning report found evidence of bullying, elitism and self-interest within the sport.

The independent report was commissioned by the national governing body in October following the abrupt resignation of its chief executive, Clare Salmon, in July. She had been appointed in February 2016 to modernise the BEF but, as the report details, her approach ruffled feathers within equestrianism and she was forced out.

Salmon thanked the three-strong review panel, which was chaired by John Mehrzad, the lawyer who prepared a similar report for British Cycling last year.

“From day one I was set up to fail by people who were deliberately frustrating the change required,” Salmon said. “I was bullied out by people driven by self-interest and elitism. This is unacceptable for an organisation receiving more than £20m of public money...”

Read more here:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/mar/15/bullying-elitism-self-interest-british-equestrian-federation

First FEI ride of the year in Ecuador

Endurnce-world.com - Full Article

March 8 2018
Race Report made with the assistance of Nathalie Weemaels

Malchingui, Ecuador. Saturday 24 February 2018. Ecuador, a small Latin American country located in the middle of the Andes, is well-known for its biodiversity and wide variety of climates and topography.

Nevertheless, not only is the environment idealistic to practice endurance, but also the traditional horse culture, a key factor for the development of the discipline.

Unlike in other Latin American countries, the story of endurance riding in Ecuador is a relatively recent one as Endurance Ecuador, the main endurance association, is celebrating this year its tenth anniversary. Together with Endurance Azuay, from the Southern part of the country, they organize 12 official competitions a year, 4 of them being CEI/YJ...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/first-fei-ride-year-ecuador/

World Equestrian Games could bring $400M boost to WNC: 9 things to know

Citizen-times.com - Full Article

John Boyle, jboyle@citizen-times.com
March 11, 2018

MILL SPRING – The biggest horse event in the world is about to happen, and it's going to be right in our backyard.

The FEI World Equestrian Games — which organizers say may become the largest sporting event in North Carolina history — are slated to run Sept. 12-23 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Polk County. The event is expected to draw participants and spectators from around the world, and it could have an economic impact approaching a half billion dollars.

Equestrian Center founder Mark Bellissimo hopes locals join the international crowd for the games, which draw Olympic-caliber talent and are held every four years.

"We want people to realize that this is not only an event for equestrians; this is an event for people who love horses in any capacity," said Bellissimo, who with his business partners has invested more than $200 million in the TIEC...

Read more here:
https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2018/03/11/world-equestrian-games-could-bring-400-m-boost-wnc-9-things-know/401242002/

End of the adventure for the Gallops of Morocco 2018

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

by Admin

Drâa-Tafilalet, the golden dunes of Merzouga, Morocco. Sunday 4 March 2018
It is with emotion that the edition of the Gallops of Morocco 2018 ends. A human adventure where strong bonds are created.

After a week of fierce competition between the sixteen teams, it is the Ch’tis led by Grégoire Verhaeghe, already present at Gallops of Oman, who won the first place followed closely by the women’s team Quazane.

The polo club of Chantilly and Blue Ghallah share the third place of this 100% French podium! A victory brought by organized, communicative teams, who managed to preserve their horses throughout this raid despite the difficult weather conditions beating sandstorms and hot weather!

Participants will remember this unique experience that allowed them to enjoy breath-taking landscapes within the dunes of Merzouga and the city of Erfoud, as well as to discover the generous, endearing and robust Barb and Barb-Arabian. A privileged bond between man and horse, even so powerful that a rider decided to buy the horse she rode throughout this race, a beautiful proof of recognition!...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/end-of-the-adventure-for-the-gallops-of-morocco-2018/