Saudi Arabia: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup set to roll

ArabNews.com - Full Article

January 9 2020

The 120-km endurance race — in which riders will complete four laps through the desert and mountains of AlUla
ALULA: The Royal Commission for AlUla and the official organizers of the Winter at Tantora festival announced the launch of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup 2020, which will take place on Feb. 1 in association with the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation.

The 120-km endurance race — in which riders will complete four laps through the desert and mountains of AlUla — offers SR15 million ($4 million) in prize money for the winning riders.

AlUla’s equestrian associations extend back more than 8,000 years, as evidenced by rock art found in archaeological sites in Jabal ‘Akma and Al-Aqrah...

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/1610296/sport

UAE: Salim Said Al Owais claims Mohammed Endurance Cup

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

I came so close last year and was determined to come back stronger this time, he says

Published: January 04, 2020 19:24
Leslie Wilson Jr, Racing & Special Features Writer

Dubai: Having narrowly been denied 12 months ago, Salim Said Al Owais promised himself that he would one day win the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup, one of the most prestigious endurance rides on the UAE calendar with prize money totally Dh7 million.

And he did not have to wait long.

The talented young horseman finally got his hands on the coveted trophy on Saturday following a masterful ride aboard the 12-year-old Castlebar Cadabr, a handsome Purebred Arabian representing the powerful F3 Endurance Stables.

In second place, just 15 seconds behind Al Owais, was Argentina’s Martina Spelanzon aboard Muntasir while Saeed Ahmed Jaber Al Harbi took third place aboard Longrun Mikami, to complete a one-two-three finish for F3 stables.

Sponsored by Longines, the 160km CEI 3 Star ride brought together more than 243 riders representing 46 countries including Australia, Britain, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran, India, Pakistan, Spain, Ecuador, Kazakastan and Portugal.

“This was my dream,” said a delighted Al Owais, who clocked 06:24:00 hours for the 160 kilometre ride held at the Dubai International Endurance City, Seeh, Al Salarm...

Read more here:
https://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/salim-said-al-owais-claims-mohammed-endurance-cup-1.68805465

‘Shock and sadness’ after four horses sustain catastrophic injuries abroad

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Becky Murray
2 January, 2020 14:30

Calls have been made for the “fullest possible” investigation after four horses sustained “shocking” catastrophic injuries at endurance rides in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Three horses competing in the CEN 120km Gamilati Cup (28 December) — Orange Glove ridden by Saif Ahmed Mohammed Alli Almazrouei of the UAE, L P Malvina ridden by Bianca Schutz of the Netherlands, and Aloha Diamond Jubilee ridden by Nadia Solange Fernandez of Argentina — suffered catastrophic injuries, as did one competing in the CEN 120km Al Maktoum Cup (29 December), Rafaela Heb ridden by Mohammad Ussain Habib Khan of India.

Endurance GB (EGB) director of welfare Antonia Milner-Mathews said the board was “shocked and saddened” by the incidents...

Read more here:
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/shock-sadness-four-horses-sustain-catastrophic-injuries-abroad-704097

Endurance Cup headlines 4-day Dubai endurance extravaganza

Gulftoday.ae - Full Article

January 2 2020

The four-day His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Festival of endurance riding, the centrepiece of the UAE Endurance Calendar, is being held between Dec.27, 2019 and Jan. 4, 2020.

Topping the programme is the prestigious Sheikh Mohammed Endurance Cup, which draws participation from the world’s very best endurance riders as they celebrate the sport’s most eminent supporter, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The Endurance Cup festival now has international editions held across Europe and the United Kingdom, and the main ride held over 160km will be held at the Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC)...

Read more here:
https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2020/01/02/endurance-cup-headlines-4-day-dubai-endurance-extravaganza

Dutch equestrian body airs UAE endurance concerns

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

January 2, 2020
Horsetalk.co.nz

The Dutch equestrian body is considering whether it can deny riding permission for Dutch riders seeking to compete in national endurance competitions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The KNHS, in a statement on its website, said it had recently received news about the deaths of various horses competing in national endurance contests in the UAE.

One of these horses was ridden by a rider of Dutch nationality living and working abroad.

The organisation voiced its concern over welfare standards at these events.

“We are more positive about the situation at international FEI competitions, the so-called CEIs,” it said.

“The KNHS supports the stricter rules recently introduced by the FEI to improve horse welfare on CEIs, most of which take effect on 1 January, 2020, and the others on 1 July, 2020.

“Supervision at international FEI competitions is more intensive and stricter, and there is talk of better enforcement.

“Unfortunately,” it continued, “the UAE does not seem to be conforming to this, since, whether or not in response to the stricter rules, there seems to be a trend towards an increasing number of national competitions that can be run outside the FEI rules...”

Read more here:
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2020/01/02/dutch-equestrian-uae-endurance/

Endurance GB issues statement on catastrophic injuries at UAE ride and underlines rules on British riders competing abroad

Everythinghorseuk.co.uk - Full Article

Endurance GB is calling for the fullest possible investigation by the FEI following Catastrophic Injuries to four horses competing at the CEN 120 km Al Maktoum Cup and CEN 120 km Gamilati Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.

In a statement today, Endurance GB’s new Director of Welfare, Antonia Milner-Matthews, a veterinary surgeon who also competes at International FEI level endurance said:

“Endurance GB’s board and membership have been shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic Catastrophic Injuries that occurred to four horses competing over the weekend. We understand that although this was classified as a National (CEN) ride, there were at least 20 nationalities represented. It is clear that running these events with a very international flavour as CENs is not within the spirit of Article 101 of the FEI’s General Regulations and we have grave concerns that such rides do not carry the level of scrutiny, welfare safeguards or sanctions that are in place at FEI CEI International level competition. We are calling on the FEI to review this. While Endurance GB feels that many of the new FEI rule changes coming into effect in 2020 will help improve welfare at international rides, the FEI must have backing at every level from national federations and sports’ governing bodies to both enforce and continually review both rules and the sanctions it imposes for failure to comply. Cleaning up endurance internationally must be the global priority for our sport in 2020 whatever that takes.

“At home, Endurance GB is doing everything in its power to try to ensure the welfare of horses competing at Endurance GB rides and as a result is continually reviewing its own policies and procedures as there is always room for progress...”

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Four Horses Suffer Catastrophic Injuries in Dubai CEN Endurance Races Over the Weekend

January 1 2020

Clean Endurance reports that in the December 29 CEN 120-km Gamilati Cup in Dubai, 3 horses suffered catastrophic injuries. "8 horses failed to complete, 1 suffered a minor injury, 3 were disqualified for not presenting at the vet gate within the maximum allowed time, and another 4 horses were brought back by ambulance for lameness and/or metabolic issues."

Another mare was reported as a catastrophic injury in the CEN 120-km Maktoum Cup for private stables the same weekend.

These races were run under National rules and not International FEI rules, so they are subject to less regulation and protection for the horses.

On January 1, Endurance GB released a statement calling for the fullest possible investigation by the FEI following these Catastrophic Injuries in these CEN rides.

In today's statement, Endurance GB’s new Director of Welfare, Antonia Milner-Matthews, a veterinary surgeon who also competes at International FEI level endurance said in part: “Endurance GB’s board and membership have been shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic Catastrophic Injuries that occurred to four horses competing over the weekend. We understand that although this was classified as a National (CEN) ride, there were at least 20 nationalities represented. It is clear that running these events with a very international flavour as CENs is not within the spirit of Article 101 of the FEI’s General Regulations and we have grave concerns that such rides do not carry the level of scrutiny, welfare safeguards or sanctions that are in place at FEI CEI International level competition. We are calling on the FEI to review this. While Endurance GB feels that many of the new FEI rule changes coming into effect in 2020 will help improve welfare at international rides, the FEI must have backing at every level from national federations and sports’ governing bodies to both enforce and continually review both rules and the sanctions it imposes for failure to comply. Cleaning up endurance internationally must be the global priority for our sport in 2020 whatever that takes."

As one of the riders aboard one of the CI horses was Dutch, the Dutch National Federation is now considering denying riding permissions for National competitions in the UAE.

Surely, more will be forthcoming from the FEI regarding these abuses.