Gaucho Derby: Race Day 1, aaaand they’re off

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Tom Morgan
5th March 2022

35 Riders lined up and charged out into the wilderness to contest in the second annual Gaucho Derby on the 3rd of March 2022. A mix of tension, excitement and anticipation were buzzing at the start line. Strong winds and the feel of foreign saddlebags were keeping these fit and fiery horses on the tips of their hooves. Some mounts gave their riders a small taste of what could be in store for them over the next 10 days. Mackenzie Stabler’s (MST) bucking bronco decided the start line wasn’t for him and took off with all her belongings.

Although each rider was given traditional gaucho tack, many modified it to suit their needs and the chosen range of clothing and apparel varied greatly, from neutrals to neons, they donned it all...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/race-day-1-theyre-off/

FEI removes all international equestrian events in Russia and Belarus

Inside.FEI.org

28 February 2022
Author: FEI

The FEI Executive Board met today to unanimously condemn the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces and agree on the ramifications to equestrian sport in Russia and Belarus.

In line with the IOC statement of 25 February 2022 urging International Sports Federations to relocate or cancel their sports events, the FEI Executive Board called on the FEI Secretary General to remove all international equestrian events in Russia and Belarus in the 2022 FEI Calendar in accordance with Articles 112.3 of the FEI General Regulations and 28.2 vi of the FEI Statutes.

In addition to removing all the Events from Russia and Belarus, the FEI Executive Board also unanimously agreed to freeze all FEI Solidarity and development activities and to cancel or relocate, where possible, FEI Courses for Officials scheduled to be held in Russia and Belarus in 2022.

The Executive Board requested that the FEI Board consider an Emergency Board Resolution addressing today’s recommendation by the International Olympic Committee Executive Board to prohibit the participation of all Russian and Belarusian Athletes and Officials. The FEI will continue to monitor the situation and decisions taken by the FEI Board will be communicated in the coming days.

During the meeting, the Executive Board also approved the allocation of a CHF 1 Million FEI Solidarity Relief Fund for the equestrian community in Ukraine. The FEI is liaising closely with the Ukrainian Federation and neighbouring countries to facilitate and coordinate logistical support as well as the financial aid.

FEI President and Chair of the FEI Solidarity Committee Ingmar De Vos (BEL) is currently in close contact with the National Federation of Ukraine and the equestrian community.

“We are deeply concerned for the welfare of all Ukrainians and the entire equestrian community in Ukraine,” the FEI President said. ”Their safety is very much our priority, and we are liaising closely with our key contacts in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to seek solutions to their most pressing needs.”

“Sport is a network which relies and thrives on team spirit and camaraderie and it is through these important friendships that we can offer support and make a difference to the people of Ukraine in these challenging times.”

Life in the saddle: The remarkable horseback adventures of Luisa and Pete

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Story

February 15, 2022
Pete Breidahl

Pete Breidahl has spent more hours in the saddle than he can count through countries most people only dream of visiting. How did an Antipodean lad end up riding across some of the world’s most inhospitable landscapes? He tells the story in his own words.

Luisa has never been very good at getting up at the best of times; but when it’s cold, she’s even harder to get moving and will often lie all snuggled up in our sleeping bags whining about how badly she needs a pee. She screws her cute little face up and squeals “Peeeeeete … it’s cold! I don’t liiiikkkke it!” and then starts giggling through fake tears.

I’m more a morning person, and when I need to go, I just get up and go for it if there isn’t an empty bottle handy “old army habit – gross, I know”. This morning though, I saw Luisa move out of bed faster than ever before.

We were staying pretty much smack bang on the banks of Turkey’s longest river, “The Red River” which winds its way through nearby Avanos before ambling towards the Black Sea...

Read more here:
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2022/02/15/remarkable-horseback-adventures-luisa-pete/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Smart+Blankets+%7C+Budweiser+Clydesdale+is+Back+%7C+Prosthetic+Limb+for+QH+Stallion+%7C+Fecal+Transplant+Research&utm_campaign=HC_Enewsletter2022-Wednesday+Feb+16

Patagonia: 36 Riders Head to Gaucho Derby Starting Line

36 riders from 15 countries - Mexico, USA, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Ireland, Chile, Netherlands, Canada, South Africa, Kenya, and Hong Kong - will take part in the 2022 Gaucho Derby.

Billed as "The greatest test of horsemanship on earth," riders will navigate over some of the "wildest terrain on earth" a 10-day, 500-km multi-horse adventure over the mountains and pampas of Patagonia.

The race starts March 3.

Meet the riders here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2022-riders/

Endurance rider Maitha Al Qubaisi on inspiring future generations in the UAE

EmiratesWoman.com - Full Article

by OLIVIA MORRIS
February 24 2022

Having celebrated 50 years of incredible vision, we look at the new generation that’s set to drive the next five decades of the UAE.

From aspiring designers to art curators, several names in the industry have been making their mark and innovating in the region.

One of the trailblazers of the next generation in the UAE is the Emirati endurance rider Maitha Al Qubaisi. We spoke to her about what it was like growing up in the Emirates, what she loves about the country and her hopes for the future.

Growing up in this region, so much has changed over such a short period of time. What has it been like growing up during this time?

Having grown up in this region there have been so many changes that have progressed so much, it makes me feel so proud and honoured to be a part of it all...

Read more here:
https://emirateswoman.com/endurance-rider-maitha-al-qubaisi-on-inspiring-future-generations-in-the-uae/

UAE: Shehhi crowned champion at Mohammed Bin Mansour Endurance Cup

GulfToday.ae - Full Article

February 26 2022

Ahmed Saleh Al Shehhi, riding the Catch Me Hippolyte of the Al Kamda stables, was crowned champion at the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for the private stables for a distance of 100km, which was held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba. The event was held under the patronage and support of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The race was organised by the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, in cooperation with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, and witnessed the participation of 127 jockeys representing different equestrian clubs of the country.

The champion managed to win after a strong performance in the four stages of the race, recording a time of 3:24:40...

Read more here:
https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2022/02/26/shehhi-crowned-champion-at-mohammed-bin-mansour-endurance-cup

UAE: Ahmad Al Shehhi and Al Bawadi Stable take well-deserved victory

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

16 February 2022
Info@endurance-world.com
Photo credit: EIEV Endurance

Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Sunday 13 February 2022.

The President of United Arab Emirates Endurance Cup is one of the endurance racing highlights in the region but also far beyond its borders and again it stood up to its reputation for a nail biting race.

The 160km distance was split into six loops of respectively 40, 28, 28, 24, 20 and 20km which included the much dreaded and at the same time very much liked Tora Bora section, as well as the section referred to as the forest. A staggering 396 participants could probably be one of the biggest start lists ever in the history of endurance racing.

The organisers added that for them it was just amazing to have the biggest ride with so many riders at the start. And this was even the more impressive considering these FEI rules are since a year or two in place: entries were open to all eligible UAE National athletes and to all eligible resident foreign athletes who had registered the UAE NF as their host NF. It was also outlined for foreign resident athletes, if they wished to register to the UAE NF, which procedure they had to follow...

Read more here:
https://endurance-world.com/ahmad-al-shehhi-and-al-bawadi-stable-take-well-deserved-victory/