IVEC to Present "Traditional versus Modern Endurance" Round Table

IVEC.info

The International Veterinary Endurance Conference, "the number one endurance veterinarian conference," will be held September 9 at Henderson, North Carolina. This is a conference for veterinarians and the stakeholders involved in the sport of endurance riding. The topics include presentations by some of the foremost experts in endurance veterinary science, and include genetics, training and clinical science. There are also presentations on horse welfare and latest scientific resarch.

"We are very excited to introduce you to the round table with the topic "Traditional versus Modern Endurance", that will replace the last talk!! Major stakeholders in the international endurance from different geographic FEI groups will come together to discuss the pros and cons of the latest developments of the endurance sport:

Peter Toft - AUS
Stephane Chazel - FRA
Pienaar du Plessis - RSA
Ali Tweissi - UAE
Flavia Ferraro - URU
Meg Sleeper - USA

Do not miss the opportunity to attend IVEC in the country that gave birth to endurance as a sport!

One week to go, Sunday 9th September! Registration cost is 175 USD with lunch and is done on-line at www.ivec.info. WE CAN NOT PROMISE LUNCH OR CONFERENCE BAGS FOR REGISTRATIONS AFTER THE 6TH, THURSDAY!

We acknowledge MERCK and co-joined Haras Albar/Ameira Endurance Stables for their support!"

More information at:
http://ivec.info/

World Equestrian Games 2018: As venue scrambles to open, everything you need to know

Citizen-Times.com - Full Article

John Boyle, Asheville Citizen Times
Published 11:54 a.m. ET Sept. 1, 2018

MILL SPRING - In short, it is rock n' roll time at the Tryon International Equestrian Center.

In a little over a week, some 400,000 people, ranging from nearly a thousand world class equestrian competitors to spectators from around the world, will descend on this tiny community in Polk County for one of the biggest events in the horse world. The FEI World Equestrian Games open Sept. 11 and run through Sept. 23.

The games will also bring in another kind of visitor to Polk County. Emergency medical and public safety personnel from more than 20 counties in the western part of North Carolina will maintain safety and medical care at what essentially will become a small city every day.

Based on past economic impact of previous games, which are held every four years in the middle of the Olympics cycle, the games will have a $400 million impact on the region. Organizers at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, which is hosting the games, expect about 70 percent of spectators to come from the United States, about 30 percent from overseas.

It is undoubtedly the largest event to ever hit Polk County, and some officials have said it has a chance to become the biggest sporting event in the state's history.

With that in mind, the Citizen Times is taking a look at some key issues, in Q&A format.

Will TIEC be ready?
Employees and contractors at TIEC have been working around the clock to get the facilities and course constructed.

"It’s been a challenge but we’re going to make it," said Sharon Decker, chief operating officer at the Tryon International Equestrian Center...

Read more here:
https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2018/09/01/world-equestrian-games-2018-tryon-questions-venue-ready-hotels-traffic-tickets-events-begin-days/1067696002/

New Zealand endurance team arrives in Shelby ahead of World Equestrian Games

BlueRidgeNow.com - Full Article

By Dustin George / GateHouse Nedia
Posted Sep 1, 2018

SHELBY, N.C. — The World Equestrian Games are scheduled to begin in a little under two weeks, but teams from around the world are already arriving.

In Shelby, about half of the New Zealand endurance riding team is staying at the home of Nancy and Joe Talley. For the last few weeks the Talleys have given the team free rein over their home and barn while the couple stays with family and their horses stay with someone else.

Nancy Talley said she first extended an invitation to the team more than a year ago.

“My husband and I honeymooned in New Zealand. That was more than 20 years ago, but we loved the country and the people. So I said let’s see,” she said.

Before the team arrived, the Talleys’ hung a New Zealand flag outside their barn — a little reminder of home, Nancy said.

“It can be difficult for them to be away from home for four or five weeks at a time to be here,” she said. “We wanted them to feel welcome...”

Read more here:
http://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20180901/new-zealand-endurance-team-arrives-in-shelby-ahead-of-world-equestrian-games

Mongolia: 2018 Gobi Desert Cup Overall Point Winner: Christoph Schork

August 30 2018

The 2018 Gobi Desert Cup was one for the record books. All our riders completed and all horses are healthy and injury free. The riders, officials, and herdsmen came together, United by their love of horses and adventure. We worked together and while some were tested physically, others were tested mentally. Please join us in congratulating our amazing riders:
In order of points:
Christoph Schork
Elodie Maillard
Jeff Stuart
Tania Orlov
Bob Gauthier
Ruth Benney
Allan Horn
Kasmira Graham
Claire McManus
Michael Shaw
Mathilde Schwartz
Stephanie Scott
Jon Heeboll
Amy Eighteen
Cecilia Stone
Howard Kent
Lorie Duff
Wonderful job by all! We could not have asked for a better group.

***

We are so proud of our teams! The overall team placings are as follows:
1. Team USA with Bob Gauthier, Allan Horn, Christoph Schork, and Jeffrey L. Stuart
2. The Leftovers with Ruth Rm Benney, Tania Orlov, Howard Kent, and Cele Stone.
3. Team New Zealand with Stephanie Scott, Kasmira Graham, and Mathilde Schwartz
4. The Independents with Lorie Duff, Amy Eighteen, Elodie Maillard, and Jon Heeboll.
Fantastic job guys and we couldn’t be prouder!

***
Day 6 results (the final race!)

Ruth came in at a gallop but slowed just before the finish line, good thing because her fender broke just afterward!

Tied: Bob, Christoph, and Jeff 
Howard
Allan walked his horse in with Mathilde who accompanied him for fun since her horse went lame at the 40km mark.
Tied: Elodie, Michael, and Claire
Tied: Stephanie and Kasmira
Tied: Amy, Jon, Peter, and Tania.

Lorie Duff withdrew in course st the 40km due to her previous knee injury and Cele chose not to ride as well.

MOre at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/Mongolia/2018GobiDesertCup/

Australia: 'I like riding horses really, really badly': Next generation of endurance royalty all smiles after first 40km ride

ABC.net.au - Full Article

ABC Sunshine Coast By Kylie Bartholomew
Updated Mon at 9:44pm

A tiny five-year-old from Queensland who stands just over a metre tall has braved darkness, the cold and rain to complete her first 40-kilometre horse ride in less than five hours.

Taylor Grogan, a fourth-generation endurance rider from the Sunshine Coast's renowned Sample family, rode into the diverse terrain of the Mary Valley's Imbil State Forest in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Dad Mark Grogan thought his daughter might be deterred by the conditions.

"I thought she'd pull the pin with the wet, especially when we had to go out and it was already raining before she got up."

But a determined Taylor — who completed her first 5km ride a month before her second birthday — would hear nothing of the sort...

Read more here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-28/taylor-grogan-endurance-horse-ride/10172938

Philip Graham’s (NZ) Long Road to WEG

FEI.org - Full Story

27 August 2018

Although each horse and rider combination takes a different road, the goal of competing on the world stage and representing their country is the same.

It’s been 12 years since Philip Graham of New Zealand competed in the WEG Endurance competition.

He and Rosewood Bashir (aka Benny) are making the long journey from New Zealand later this summer.

“The sense of achievement of completing big rides well, on horses that I have produced from youngsters, is a real buzz,” Philip says...

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/philip-graham%E2%80%99s-long-road-weg?&list=3&content=2

Mongolia: Gobi Desert Cup: Day 4 & 5

August 29 2018

Day 4:
We are here finishing the fourth day of the Gobi Desert Cup! Today has been the fastest ride yet and all 18 have stuck together through the day with all crossing the finish line within moments of each other.

We had a wonderful day in the national park with the riders enjoying the scenery, which included boulders and camels.

There was a slight hiccup when Stephanie Scott’s rein loosened and she had to go with a single rein for a few kilometers but she did it with a laugh and grace as usual.

Just before the finish line the riders broke apart and went for the finish line and the points. Sadly, we had a few vet out due to heart rate because of this, including the first place finisher Mathilde S.

After getting the placing a for today are as follows:
Elodie
Tania
Claire
Amy
Ruth
Kasmira
Jeff
Bob
Christoph
Michael
Stephanie
Cele
Lorie
Howard
Jon

Vetted out due to heart rate:
Mathilde, Allan, and Pete.

The award for Best Managed Horse on Day 4 is Elodie Maillard! She had a very forward horse that would have galloped the entire track, however she managed to keep her horse at a stable pace and keep him healthy throughout. Congratulations on some great horsemanship!

Day 4 winner of the Best Sportsmanship award is Stephanie Scott! Stephanie had shown throughout the entire ride that she is positive no matter the pace, willing to help other riders, and today while losing a rein, laughed it off and patiently rode on while waiting for us to fix it on track. Congratulations!


Day 5:
Halfway update: we had some excitement this morning, when the horse ridden by Amy Eighteen came up lame on track before the 15km and had to withdraw on track. Not long afterward Cele Stone withdrew because her knees were bothering her again. It was determined that Amy would ride Cele’s horse after vetting through and she would not compete for points.

Just afterward Bob Gauthier’s horse, who was well in the lead, hit soft footing and came up lame, pulling them out at the 30km marker.

The vets have been very happy with how these horses are managed by our riders, and sadly the lameness is not uncommon because of the footing and the Mongolian horses’ conformation and bare feet.

All other riders are traveling well so stay tuned!

Our first riders are in across the finish line! In a gallop to the end Jeff Stuart (US) edged out Elodie Maillard (FR) and Amy Eighteen (AUS) by a nose! We had a hot day over open terrain here in Mongolia, with a nice view of the Trans-Siberian Railroad! We had 15 riders over the finish line today, with one withdrawal on course due to sore knees and one vet out due to lameness. All horses and riders will be okay, and lots of smiles all around!

Congratulations to Claire McManus on winning Best Managed Horse for Day 5!
Claire has shown she always puts her horse first over the course of this week and please join us in congratulating her!

Many congratulations to Lorie Duff on winning Best Sportsmanship on Day 5! Lorie is not an endurance rider, and has done many things outside her comfort zone this week, including powering through a sore knee to ride and raise money for the CHEO Foundation at home. All with a smile on her face and no complaints. Congratulations Lorie!

More at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/Mongolia/2018GobiDesertCup/