Patagonia: Gaucho Derby Race Day 1

Richard Dunwoody photo
TheAdventurists.com - Full Story

March 6 2020

It was fast and furious from the start line this morning as the Pioneers began their epic trek across 500 km of Patagonia. A number of riders, including Zsofia (ZH), Roberta (RM), Annie (AA) and Warren (WS) hit the gas pedal on the way to vet station 1 (VS1) topping out at over 25km/hr with a pack horse alongside. Other riders chose a more moderate pace, adopting the “it’s a marathon, not a sprint” type of mentality which can often yield great results, ensuring there’s something left in the tank to finish the race. After all, it’s a long old haul to the finish line just a stone’s throw from El Chalten. A few riders – Shirley (SH), Nichole (NM) – chose an alternate route around some hilly topography; a plucky gamble which could have put them towards the front had it not been for that awkward impassable boggy canyon floor which forced a detour back towards where they had originated. 100 points to them for giving it a go. (No, the points don’t count.) While we’re at it, let’s give extra pretend points to Julie (JY) who hit the deck not far out of the start camp when her bridle parted ways with her horse and her horse parted ways with its human. The horse then bolted back to the start line for Derby Start Take Two. Don’t count Julie out just yet; a firefighter by trade and a Mongol Derby veteran, she’s as tough as they come and will be back in the thick of it in no time...

Read more here:
https://www.theadventurists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-race-day-1/

How to follow the Gaucho Derby - in Progress

TheAdventurists.com - Full Article

The first annual Gaucho Derby, "The Patagonian iteration of the world's toughest horse race," is underway.

You can follow the riders with a tracking map, on twitter or instagram, on Facebook or the Gaucho Derby blog. See all the options here:
The Patagonian iteration of the world's toughest horse race

UAE: 12th Dubai CP Endurance Cup to be held tomorrow

GulfToday.ae - Full Article

March 5 2020

The 119km Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline will be hosted by the Dubai Equestrian Club on Saturday. This highly anticipated ride is the highlight of the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup Festival, which opened on March 2. The Festival comprises a total of four rides, catering to a wide range of riders and horses—including female riders and mares—adding variety to this celebration of endurance riding. The festival is sponsored by Meydan pillar partner Emirates Airline and is held at Dubai International Endurance City, a purpose-built, state-of-the-art endurance facility.

Named for His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, the week-long festival opened with the 119km Dubai Crown Prince Ride for Ladies on March 2.

This was followed by the 119km Dubai Crown Prince Ride Restricted to Private Stables/Individuals on March 3, and the 119 km Yamamah Endurance Cup for Mares on March 4.

The Yamamah Endurance Cup is quite significant, as it is named after the mare the Crown Prince rode to win the 2014 World Equestrian Games Endurance gold medal in France.

The finale, the 119km Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline, will be flagged off on Saturday.. An impressive international contingent is expected to participate, as usual. They will compete alongside local talent...

Read more here:

Sheikh Ordered Abduction of Daughters and Threatened Princess Haya – UK High Court

HorseSport.com - Full Article

Landmark ruling describes fear tactics used by Sheikh Mohammed, but will bombshell revelations affect the reputation of the horse world’s major patron?

By: Cuckson Report // Pippa Cuckson

When the Godolphin doping scandal broke in British racing back in 2013, we were asked to accept that Sheikh Mohammed had not known, was appalled, and that the industrial scale steroids offences at his racing stables in Newmarket, UK, were the isolated work of a rogue trainer.

I don’t intend to appear flippant by implying that sporting shenanigans are on the same scale as issues of human rights. But while rich and powerful people distance themselves from scandal through the employment of layer upon layer of stooges, there really is nowhere for Sheikh Mohammed to hide from the Findings of Fact handed down by one of the most revered courts in the world, our High Court here in the UK today (March 5.)

This was primarily a custody hearing for Jalila and Zayed, the two children of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed and his former “junior” wife Princess Haya – Olympic show jumper and former president of the FEI...

Read more here:
https://horsesport.com/cuckson-report-1/sheikh-ordered-abduction-daughters-threatened-princess-haya/

Australia: Tumut riders prepare for NSW Champs

TATimes.com.au - Full Article

By Jeff Hanson - March 3, 2020, 5:00 pm

In what could have been a disaster for Southern NSW endurance riders, Cowra’s Bumbaldry ride that was scheduled for this weekend was postponed at the last minute.

Fortunately for local competitors who are eyeing the NSW State Championships at Tumut on June 6-8, Tumut Endurance will be holding a smaller event to help rider’s have their horses in good order.

Tumut Endurance spokesperson Ellen Vine explained the decision to host an event with such short notice.

“Two weeks ago a ride near Cowra called Bumbaldry unfortunately had to postpone their event due to multiple circumstances and this meant that the first 80km event for the year in NSW wouldn’t be until March 14, but it was up past Coffs Harbour,” Vine said.

“So for Southern NSW, that would be impossible to attend, meaning we would have to wait until the next one, which wouldn’t be until March 28 near Sydney.

“So looking ahead, it was clear that this would negatively impact a lot of people and inevitably Tumut Endurance’s State Championships, so with two and a half weeks notice, we decided to replace the postponed ride on March 7 and 8 and run the Tumut Endurance Ride...”

Read more here:
https://www.tatimes.com.au/tumut-riders-prepare-for-nsw-champs/

Bahrain: His Majesty’s 160km race set

GDOnine.com - Full Article

1 March 2020

THE King’s Endurance Cup 160km race will be held today under the patronage of His Majesty and support of GFH Group at Bahrain International Endurance Village.

This race is considered the biggest championship in the endurance season, especially bearing the name of His Majesty.

Riders from stables in Bahrain and other GCC countries will be taking part in the race...

Read more here:
http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/784254/His-Majesty%E2%80%99s-160km-race-set

Australia: Collie teen saddles up for Tom Quilty

CollieMail.com.au - Full Article

MARCH 2 2020
Taylar Amonini

With a little bit of passion, dedication and enthusiasm, a Collie teen has proven you can reach your goals as she qualifies for the 2020 Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

Abbey Rose Irvine, 12, will go into the national event as the only junior in Western Australia to qualify to compete - a feat many adults struggle to do.

The enthusiastic endurance rider said she was ecstatic to have qualified at such a young age.

"It's a really good feeling to have qualified so early, endurance riding is such a mental sport as well as physical so to have broken through the mental block in the last qualification ride was a pretty good moment," she said.

"Last year I really started to get into endurance at this level but I have been riding for about four years now.

"It's great because you get to go out bush for several hours and unlike other riding where you have to be so polished in every aspect you get to just ride your horse and have fun..."

Read more here:
https://www.colliemail.com.au/story/6647999/collie-teen-saddles-up/