Gaucho Derby: Race Day 3, Navigation, navigation, navigation

Equestrianists.com - Full Article

Tom Morgan
8th March 2022

Some lucky riders who camped out awoke to an incredible sunrise, after a night of watching masses of shooting stars. There’s no smog and light pollution in this pristine country.

Whereas crew were awoken to pings from other not so lucky riders.

Jaco Storm (JST) was busily sending intel into Race Headquarters at the crack of dawn. The conversation went like this...

“Lost Horse”.

22mins later…

“Got him”.

6mins later…

“Gone again”.

30mins later…

“Can’t catch yet”...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/race-day-3-navigation-navigation-navigation/

Gaucho Derby: Race Day 2, Into the Wild

Equestrianists.com - Full Story

Tom Morgan
5th March 2022

All the riders awoke to a cold, wet, snowy, sleety and windy morning at Horse Station 2. Charming… But by all accounts, the riders had slept well and were warm enough overnight.

However, unfortunately Camilla Shepherd (CSH) has chosen to self-retire from the race.

Holly Conyers (HCO), Kirsteen Thain (KTH), Holly Chamberlain (HCH), Rosie Bathurst (RBA) and My Nordström were the first to cruise out of Station 2 ahead of the rest.

The riders will ride a total of 7 horses throughout the 500km race with the first horse change to take place at Station 3. The rider’s good navigation skills meant they arrived promptly into this station, where they vetted their current horses through...

Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/race-day-2-into-the-wild/

Borders slowly opening to evacuated Ukraine horses as feed supplies dwindle

The Lensa Wola equestrian club in Głogów Małopolski is the support hub for equestrian aid destined for Ukraine. © Ukrainian Equestrian Federation Charity Foundation

HorseTalk.co.nz - Full Article

March 7, 2022
Horsetalk.co.nz

Horses being evacuated out of Ukraine following the Russian invasion are being permitted to enter Moldova without restrictions.

An order from Moldova’s agriculture ministry had been made to let all animals through, even those without documents, the Ukraine Equestrian Federation said. Ten days of quarantine would be required.

Two border crossings in Romania are also providing free entry for horses being evacuated from Ukraine, following the Russian invasion. A microchip and passport are required to get horses through Albitas and Halmeu. Slovakia, Romania and Hungary are also in the process of creating quarantine stations, the federation said. It was also working to organise a shelter in Ukraine in an area beyond the military actions...

Read more here:
https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2022/03/07/borders-horses-evacuated-ukraine/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Canada+2nd+in+Nations+Cup+%7C+Meet+Vicky+Lavoie+%7C+Ward+and+Azur+Win+%24216%2C000+GP+%7C+Nations+Cup+Cancelled+in+Cali+%7C+Live+Oak+International&utm_campaign=HS-Enewsletter2022-Monday+March+7

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/