Endurance Great Britain welfare conference in Newmarket

Endurancegb.co.uk

(Published:21 May 2019)

Endurance GB welfare conference in Newmarket focuses on improving long term performance of the endurance horse

Endurance GB’s welfare conference next weekend will bring together experts from the animal health, veterinary and sports science industries to focus on how to extend the careers of long-distance equine athletes.

The Endurance GB conference, taking place on Saturday 25th May at the Newmarket Equine Hospital, features an impressive line-up of speakers including; Dr Sue Dyson of the Animal Health Trust, Dr Roly Owers, from World Horse Welfare, Dr David Marlin, Scientific and Equine Consultant, together with Fran James and Tom Eaton Evans of the Newmarket Equine Hospital who will look at orthopaedic longevity and biosecurity.

Topics being covered range from identifying lameness, to understanding how ridden horse behaviour can predict the presence of musculoskeletal pain.

The conference will also hear findings from a pilot study looking at the weight that a horse can safely carry.

Alex Tennant, Director of Development and Welfare for Endurance GB said: “This day is aimed not only at anyone involved in endurance at all levels from novice to international but anyone interested in finding out more about the performance of the equine equivalent of the marathon athlete. Endurance GB is dedicated to offer education and discussion on improving horse welfare; which is the foundation of our sport and society. The theme of the day is, ‘Improving the longevity of the endurance horse’.

“Our speakers will be offering guidance on how we can plan our horses’ careers, training and competition to maximise health and fitness and minimise injury. There will be opportunities throughout the day for delegates to have any questions answered.

“Thank you to all our speakers, sponsors and guests who have supported this event.”

Welfare Conference sponsors, HPower and Meydan are event organiser and headline sponsor to the FEI European Endurance Championship which take place this summer at Euston Park in Suffolk on Saturday 17th August.

Jo Peck, Marketing and Communications Director of HPower which also organises the Royal Windsor Horse Show and London Olympia Horse Show, said: “We are proud to be associated with Endurance GB’s annual welfare conference and to be involved with building understanding of how long term performance for these incredible equine athletes can be improved. We have also been supporting Endurance GB in widening participation in the sport and are delighted that this summer’s European Championship will sit alongside the UK Endurance Festival featuring both national and Pony Club riders and teams in this popular and growing sport.”

Rebecca Kinnarney, Chair of Endurance GB said: “Endurance as a sport has consistently broken new ground in enhancing understanding of how equine athletes can best be cared for both in training and competition and we are proud that, while success is based on the strength of the partnership between horse and rider over long hours in the saddle, as riders we are always open to expanding our knowledge. This day promises both new scientific and research insight of benefit to both endurance and other equestrian sports. We would like to thank the conference sponsors for making the day possible.”

Tickets to the Endurance GB Welfare Conference at the Newmarket Equine Hospital, Saturday 25th May from 9am-5pm are priced £20 including lunch. Some spaces may still be available, to enquire, please contact conference@endurancegb.co.uk.

Riders celebrate success at Endurance Great Britain Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor

Endurancegb.co.uk

(Published:20 May 2019)

Riders are celebrating coveted completions in Endurance GB’s Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor, which after more than 50 years since it first began, remains one of the most challenging events in the sport’s calendar.

The oldest long-distance Endurance GB ride in the UK is widely regarded as one of the most challenging in Europe and sees competitors tackle classes ranging from 24km to 160km (100 miles) over spectacular moorland terrain.

This year’s top successes came in the Exmoor Stag class which takes competitors over 120km (75 miles) in two days. There were silver awards for Devon-based Karen Jones with Treasured Moonbeam and Kathy Carr who had travelled from Leicestershire to take part with Aberllwyd Femme Fatalle. A third rider, Exeter’s Gillian Mann earned a completion with HS Parnasse.

Cullompton-based Karen Jones and her 13yr old mare, Treasure Moonbeam, had success over the 160km in 2017 and so stepped down a distance to take on the 120km two day class.

On top of her Silver award, Karen collected the Exmoor Stag 75 mile Cup and the Exmoor Stag Award together with the Jill Calvert Cup for her crew.

Gillian Mann and her 13yr gelding HS Parnasse first attempted the 160km class in 2015 but were unfortunately unsuccessful. They went on, however, to successfully complete the one-day 80km class in 2018 so this year went one better in stepping up to a second day of competition.

Kathy Carr with Aberllwyd Femme Fatalle came to the ride with a strong record of success including a silver and bronze over the 160km class in 2018 and 2015. They have also enjoyed multiple successes at challenging rides including a notable 14th place at the European test-event in Brussels in 2016.

Kathy received a glut of silverware for her efforts on Exmoor including the Marcy Pavord Memorial Trophy, the Zayin Arabian Stud Award, the Esprit de Ferzon, the Dunlop Heywood Veteran Rider Award, the Saillard Fuller Silver Trophy the Exmoor Stag Fleur Award.

Kathy said: “That was a really tough one! It was definitely the most challenging Golden Horseshoe Route I've experienced. We just made Silver time on day two with one minute to spare. Paris never ceases to amaze me.”

A completion in the Golden Horseshoe is regarded as being on the ‘bucket list’ for most top level endurance riders, and the degree of the challenge registered this year with no completions in the weekend’s top class of 160km in two days. However, there were nine completions in the two-day 80km Exmoor Hind class with first place for Craig Budden from Southampton and GL Gilded Lance, a second place for Karen Wendy Jones on Indian Princess and third place for Charlie Turley and Safiya. Three riders enjoyed success in the one-day 80km Exmoor Fox class, Andrea Champ with Druimghigha Lantana earning first place, Sally McIlwaine and Winnie the Witch coming second and Antonia Milner-Matthews coming third with Clonmore Treasure.

However, one of the features of the weekend was the wide spread of Endurance GB entries from around England and Wales in other shorter distance classes. A total of 15 riders successfully took on the one-day 40km with 33 completions in the novice class. Elizabeth Madell and Twosox collected the Golden Horseshoe Para Award for her grade four completion in the Exmoor Otter Cub 40km Novice class.

In addition, the non-competitive pleasure ride, which gave grass-roots endurance riders the chance to sample the Golden Horseshoe route over the stunning Exmoor National Park, saw fifty riders taking part.

Devon-based Jo Chisholm who organises the Golden Horseshoe Ride with husband Andrew said: “Despite low entries in the longer distance classes, the shorter distances were supported well and riders tackled a typical Exmoor course with many hills incorporating steep climbs and rocky tracks, along with some wonderful moorland going, which was in places almost perfect with the recent dry weather.

“The weather was once again kind to us with ideal riding conditions, not too warm but pleasant in the sun for the numerous volunteers around the course. The organisers would like to extend their utmost appreciation for the army of volunteers without whom this ride would not be possible.”

Endurance GB Chair, Rebecca Kinnarney, who attended the event expressed her thanks to the amazing team of ride organisers, vets and volunteers, without whom such a major event would not be possible and said she is looking forward to a great time next year.

Important Information Regarding Synephrine, Equine Prohibited Banned Substance

USEF.org

by Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) | May 15, 2019, 5:20 PM EST

The FEI would like to warn the equestrian community regarding synephrine, a substance listed as a Banned Substance (Specified Substance*) on the Equine Prohibited Substances List.

Note: Synephrine is also a banned substance under United States Equestrian Federation Drugs and Medications rules

A high number of samples taken from horses under the Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Programme have tested positive for the substance. Although investigations into the sources of the positive cases are still ongoing, the FEI would like to warn stakeholders of synephrine which may be found in the horse’s environment and advise on measures that can be taken to prevent a positive finding.

Synephrine is a stimulant which can cause vasoconstriction, an increased heart rate and is used as a weight loss aid.

In certain parts of the world, synephrine can be found in plants such as common rush (Juncus usitatus), Mullumbimby couch (Cyperus brevifolus) and the leaves of citrus trees (e.g. mandarin, orange and lemon). Synephrine has also been detected in Teff grass hay in some countries.

It can also be found as an ingredient of herbal and nutritional supplements, and commonly found in the peel extract of bitter orange (also known as Seville orange) which is used as a flavouring agent.

Measures that can be taken to prevent positive findings include using reputable suppliers of hay, feed and supplements, checking the horse’s environment for plants containing synephrine, and ensuring that any personnel taking supplements or other products containing synephrine wash their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with the substance. Additionally, it is recommended that samples are kept of batches of hay, feed and supplements given to competition horses to enable a thorough investigation to take place should the horse test positive for synephrine.

Further information concerning contamination prevention can be found here.

The FEI urges stakeholders to be vigilant of possible sources of synephrine in the horse’s environment and implement management practices to prevent contamination or inadvertent ingestion of the substance.

* Prohibited Substances that are identified as Specified Substances should not in any way be considered less important or less dangerous than other Prohibited Substances. Rather, they are simply substances which are more likely to have been ingested by Horses for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance, for example, through a contaminated food substance.

Australia: Mudgee Endurance Riders compete at Cooyal event

MudgeeGuardian.com.au - Full Article

May 15 2019

175 riders took to the Mudgee Endurance Riders course at Cooyal on May 11 and 12.

Just under 100 riders set off at 5am to take part in the main 80 kilometre event on the Sunday morning, while there were 37 entries in the 40km Intermediate ride which commenced at 6.30am.

The overall ride winner was Con Bouzianis who completed the course in 4 hours, 25 minutes, who also placed first in the heavyweight category...

Read more here:
https://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/6125528/it-started-off-cold-but-sunshine-soon-led-to-the-ultimate-country-side-view-for-endurance-riders/

Portugal: Pedro Godinho crowned national champion in Rio Frio

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

17 May 2019

Race Report made with the assistance of Dulce David
Photo Credit: Rio Frio

Polo Equestre de Rio Frio, Rio Frio, Portugal. Saturday 11 May 2019. Rio Frio hosted its 13th International Endurance Competition held in the last four years with the participation of 50 riders from 12 countries, Belgium, China, Colombia, Egypt, Hungary, Spain, France, Hungary , Ireland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Taipei.

The event had international competitions, the 2019 Seniors National Endurance Championship and the qualifiers.

The excellent conditions of the Rio Frio Equestrian Polo and its tracks for practicing endurance riding, as well as the know-how of the organizing committee, have clearly contributed to the acknowledgment of Rio Frio’s good conditions in the international world of Endurance and to the attraction of international riders.

Along with the excellent tracks and its layout, it is important to highlight its amazing logistic facilities: stables, vet gate, rest and cooling areas, and crew points near the main venue...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/pedro-godinho-crowned-national-champion-in-rio-frio/

Great Britain: World-famous Exmoor Golden Horseshoe Ride sets off this weekend in ‘near perfect’ conditions

(Published:16 May 2019)

More than 140 horses and riders will set out to take part in the world-famous Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor this weekend.

The oldest long-distance Endurance GB ride in the UK is widely regarded as one of the most challenging in Europe and sees competitors tackle classes ranging from 24km to 160km (100 miles) over spectacular moorland terrain.

The ride was first held in 1965 with The Daily Telegraph newspaper as main sponsor. Starting from the ride venue in Exford, the 100 mile (160km) route includes several well-known Exmoor landmarks. Designed in two loops, one to the north and one to the south, the course takes riders north via Wheddon Cross to Webbers Post in the shadow of Dunkery Beacon, and then west towards Porlock. The second southerly route sees riders head west towards Withypool and Hawkridge before descending from the moor through woodland to cross the River Barle near Dulverton and then back to Exford via Winsford.

The ride attracts Endurance GB competitors of all levels across a range of classes over the three days. This year, five riders will take on the greatest challenge The Golden Horseshoe Ride itself which covers 100 miles (160km) in two days. The five include three west country-based riders, David Yeoman from Somerset riding Eaunoire Cassie, Gillian Mann from Exeter with HS Parnasse and Kirsty Wiscombe from Dorset riding Yawl Hill Maverick. Travelling further afield are Gillian Talbot from Chepstow with Sa'da Sekora and Sue Cox from Cambridgeshire with Eden El Nyhl.

Five riders will tackle the Exmoor Stag class, which takes competitors over 120km (74.5 miles) in two days. Again the West Country is well represented by three riders, Karen Jones from Cullompton with Treasured Moonbeam, Amanda Tovey from Bristol with Diving Belle and Carri-Ann Dark from Wiltshire with HS Drift. Also lining up in the Exmoor Stag class are Sue Box from Usk with Kazeme El Mystral and Kathy Carr from Leicestershire with Aberllwyd Femme Fatalle.

The most popular class over the weekend is the 24km Pleasure Ride with nearly 50 entries. Horses have to pass stringent vet checks before starting as well as veterinary inspections during the ride to ensure they are fit to continue. Riders and horses are supported during the ride by crew who travel to water points along the route.

Ride organiser Jo Chisholm said after rain and then sunshine this week, the going on the moor for the ride is good and the weather forecast of light cloud and a gentle breeze for the weekend would make for ‘near perfect conditions’.

Cornwall-based Jo, who runs the ride with husband Andrew along with an army of Endurance GB volunteers said: “We are pleased with the level of entries and both the weather and ground conditions look set to provide the ideal conditions for tackling this spectacular course. The Golden Horseshoe Ride attracts riders from across the country and we are looking forward to welcoming them and seeing a wonderful and enjoyable two-days of competition.”

Rebecca Kinnarney, Chair of Endurance GB said: “The Golden Horseshoe and Exmoor Stag classes are two of the greatest classes in the Endurance GB calendar. A completion at this event is regarded as a pinnacle of achievement in our sport but is an achievable ambition with a combination of fit, well-prepared horse and rider, clement weather conditions and a light sprinkling of luck! We wish everyone taking part every success but more importantly, a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.”

Australia: Table Top Endurance ride run by Oso Arabians offers scenery and sunshine

TheRural.com.au - Full Article

May 15 2019
Jo Arblaster

Nearly 200 horses, riders, strappers and families pitted themselves against the weather, the terrain and the clock at the annual Table Top Endurance ride held by Oso Arabians.

Riders from Belgium, Hong Kong, Iraq, Scotland and Switzerland joined competitors from NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

The events ranged from 40 to 120 kilometres, with those entered in the longer rides required to be on course at 2am...

Read more here:
https://www.therural.com.au/story/6126294/scenery-and-sunshine-helps-riders-endure-table-top-challenge/?cs=6528