Mongolia: The Gobi Desert Cup challenges riders, body and soul

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

4 June 2018

Race Preview made with the assistance of Heather Wallace.
Photo Credit: The Gobi Desert Cup.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 4 May 2018. The Gobi Desert Cup is a 480 kilometer endurance ride beginning outside Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The challenge is focused on teamwork, horsemanship and immersion in the Mongolian culture as well as completing the marked course safely.

Now in its second year, this life-changing experience accepts no more than 20 riders from around the world to compete from 22 to 31 August 2018.

Each participant arrives at camp and is trained for two days on the tack and horses in preparation for the race to begin. This also gives the participants the opportunity to meet officials and discuss the rules and safety guidelines. Each rider has six horses for the length of the trip, one per day. Ride Director and Co-founder Camille Champagne notes: “The challenge focuses on testing your endurance and horsemanship by managing the horses over 80 km in one day.” Throughout the course there are two veterinary exams: one at 40 kilometers and the second at the end of the day’s ride, at approximately 80 kilometers.

“You may have what it takes, but it will take everything you’ve got.” Camille Champagne...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/the-gobi-desert-cup-challenges-riders-body-and-soul/

Australia: International riders compete at The Rock

TheRural.com.au - Full Article

June 13 2018
Nikki Reynolds

RIDERS from as far away as France and Sweden have competed in a world class endurance ride in the Riverina.

The ride holds significance on the world stage due to the fact it was affiliated with Federation Equestrian International (FEI).

For ride director Col Lewis the event, which used Bullenbong Station at The Rock as a base, was a big success.

He said 147 competitors entered and despite the international interest there was plenty of support from southern NSW. In fact, 60 per cent of the riders were from the local area...

Read more here:
https://www.therural.com.au/story/5464854/the-rock-endurance-ride-is-on-the-world-stage/?cs=6528

The secret to the man against horse race that brings thousands to a small Welsh town

WalesOnline.co.uk - Full Article

By Will Hayward
8 JUN 2018

At some point everyone has had a debate in the pub about something completely random.

Would Muhammad Ali beat Bruce Lee in a fight? Who is the greatest footballer of all time? One of these very conversations was happening in the Neuadd Arms Hotel, Llanwrtyd Wells , in June 1980.


The then landlord, Gordon Green, overheard two men discussing the relative merits of men and horses running over mountainous terrain. And from that, the Man v Horse race was born.

Almost 30 years on, the race has grown and grown with a dedicated following and people travelling from all over the UK.

“We don’t really know what has made it so popular,” said 72-year-old Bob Greenough who is part of the organising team. According to Bob the event is a welcome boost to the area.

“It is very well attended, a lot of people come out to watch it. People will come here from a long way away. The runners will come from all over the UK and people come with them...

Read more here:
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/how-man-v-horse-race-14729882

New Zealand: Waikato man gears up for the 1,000km Mongol Derby, the world's longest and toughest horse race

TVNZ.co.nz - Full Article

It's "one hell of a ride" but Waikato horse rider Eion Kemp says he's looking forward to competing in the world's longest and toughest horse race, the Mongol Derby.

It's raced over 1000 kilometres of some of the world's most gruelling terrain in Mongolia in August.

TVNZ1's Seven Sharp found Eion Kemp breaking in yearlings and two-year-olds at a farm at Matamata before they go on to a trainer.

In much the same way, Mr Kemp is about to be broken in, in the biggest riding challenge of his career.

"The Mongol Derby. The world's longest and toughest horse race. It's raced over 1000 kilometres through the steppes of Mongolia," he said...

Read more & see video here:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/waikato-man-gears-up-1-000km-mongol-derby-worlds-longest-and-toughest-horse-race

Two-Year Ban for Endurance Rider in 'Feed Contamination' Claim

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

June 8, 2018
by: Pippa Cuckson

A young Uruguayan endurance rider has been suspended for two years and fined 3,000 Swiss francs by the FEI Tribunal after her horse tested positive to a substance associated with lowering the heart rate.

Victoria Goni, 22, argued vehemently that the presence of banned substance ergonovine in El Mate’s sample was caused by contaminated feed. Uruguay has a known problem with an arable fungus which can cause a disease called ergotism linked with alkaloids including ergonovine. In worst cases, ergotism leads to gangrene of the limbs.

However the FEI argued that as “one of the side-effects of ergonovine was that it lowered the heart rate” and “it could therefore be abused in endurance.”

El Mate was sampled at a 120km ride in Trinidad in February 2017. (FEI results show there were just three starters, with El Mate the only finisher at an average speed of 18.7kph)...

Read more here:
https://horse-canada.com/horse-news/two-year-doping-ban-endurance-rider-feed-contamination-claim/

Endurance GB launches Coaching For All scheme

Endurance GB, the National Governing Body for the sport of Endurance Riding, has launched Coaching For All, a new initiative to attract more coaches into the sport.

Endurance GB members aged 16 and over who are keen to further their own education and that of their fellow members, are encouraged to apply to the scheme where EGB will fund 50% of the cost of a UKCC Level 1 coaching qualification.

Applicants are invited to submit a 500 word personal statement, including details of why they would like to pursue the coaching qualification and what they, as individuals, will be able to contribute to Endurance GB with their qualification. From the applications, five aspiring coaches will be selected by an expert panel to benefit from this unique opportunity.

Nicki Thorne, Chair of Endurance GB, said: “Coaching has welfare at its heart. The greater the education, the better the horse's and rider's well-being. We are passionate about educating and training our riders and horses in Endurance and excited to be able to offer the support to provide future coaches with the best start possible. We are grateful to sponsors, HPower, for their support with this initiative.”

The announcement of the initiative coincides with a celebration of #GreatCoaching, spearheaded by UK Coaching, taking place this week 4th - 10th June. Maintaining their commitment to the education of coaches, later this year EGB will provide further opportunities for existing coaches to be supported in their move up to the next level.

The closing date to apply for the UKCC Level 1 coaching qualification supported by EGB is Friday 1st July; to find out more about the application process visit endurancegb.co.uk.

Aussie family taking part in the world’s toughest race

2gb.com - Full Article

June 4 2018
ALAN JONES

Four Australians are preparing to take part in the annual Mongol Derby, a 1000km trek labelled the world’s toughest horse race.

Henry Bell and his three cousins are raising money for Multiple Sclerosis, riding for Henry’s father Rob who suffers from the worst form of the disease.

When Rob was younger he was a fine horseman, so his son and nephews are hoping to do him proud and help find a cure.

Rob joins Alan Jones and says his diagnosis in 2011 came as a complete shock.

“It was five years before I knew something was wrong…spent the next five years finding what was wrong… it’s so cruel because it’s so slow...”

Read more here:
https://www.2gb.com/aussie-family-taking-part-in-the-worlds-toughest-race/