Timeframe: The UAE's first, record-breaking international endurance horse race

TheNationalNews.com - Full Article

1998 World Endurance Championship in Dubai surpassed all that came before

Hareth Al Bustani Dec 09, 2022

On December 10, 1998, the UAE cemented its growing commitment to the sport of endurance horse racing in the most spectacular fashion — hosting the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) World Endurance Championship.

Centred on Ghantoot Racing Club, with 162 riders from 37 countries competing, the event set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of participants at an official world championship event.

The event was made all the more remarkable by how young the sport was in the UAE at the time — having only been introduced to the country by the UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in 1992. However, it was a natural fit for a people who had, for millennia, cherished horse-riding not only as a sport and passion, but a way of life; with horses and camels not just a means of transport, but an extension of the rider.

The UAE’s first two endurance marathons, open to camels and horses, were held in January 1993 and March 1994 — with the first horse-only race, Al Asayl Endurance Race, setting the blueprint for things to come in December 1994. That year, Sheikh Zayed set up the Presidents Cup for Arabian horses, helping to raise the breed’s international profile in the years since...

Read more here:
https://www.thenationalnews.com/weekend/2022/12/09/timeframe-the-uaes-first-record-breaking-international-endurance-horse-race/

‘Horses will die’ warning after UAE awarded world championship

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Eleanor Jones
8 December, 2022 17:26

“Horses will die” is the warning from campaigners, in response to the World Endurance Championships’ move to the UAE. The event had been to run in Verona in October, but the FEI pulled the plug as horse and rider safety “could not be guaranteed”.

The FEI reopened bidding and six venues were in the mix, including Samorin, Slovakia, and Pisa, Italy, both of which have previously hosted the event. But it will run at Boudheib International Endurance Village (BIEV), in February.

The FEI said “the safety and security of human and equine athletes is the FEI’s top priority”, and a spokesman added: “Under the guidance and support of the late former deputy UAE prime minister HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Boudheib protocol initiative was implemented in BIEV and other venues to ensure that the welfare of the horses and horsemanship prevail.”

But Sheikh Sultan, driver of the horse welfare-led initiative, died three years ago...

Read more here:
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/horses-will-die-warning-after-uae-awarded-world-championship-811287

CEF back in action with first-ever 80-km endurance race

Khmertimeskh.com - Full Article

Jose Rodriguez T. Senase / Khmer Times
December 2 2022

The Cambodia Equestrian Federation (CEF) galloped back into action by holding its first-ever 80-km endurance race.

The competition was held on the heels of the CEF’s participation in the Princess Cup Thailand 2022 from November 21 to 27.

The CEF was represented in Thailand by Amrita Norodom, Rothanak Kong and Chantola Kiri.

“It allowed us to measure our skills against strong countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and others gathered under the Princess Cup,” CEF President Tep Mona said...

Read more at:
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501195178/cef-back-in-action-with-first-ever-80-km-endurance-race/

Replacement World Title Ride Dismays Endurance Stakeholders

HorseSport.com - Full Article

Riders who have trained over European terrain are unhappy to be facing a desert race, and there is astonishment that the troubled UAE won the bid.

By Cuckson Report // Pippa Cuckson | December 2, 2022

Reallocation of the FEI 2022 World Endurance Championship to the last week of February 2023 at Boudheib in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has met pushback from a variety of stakeholders.

Some competitors are dismayed that they now face a desert race after training for completely different terrain in Verona, Italy. Meanwhile the active “Clean Endurance” community is astonished that the UAE – a hub of doping and rule-breaking – has been rewarded with a prestigious championship, especially when equestrianism’s “social licence” is under the spotlight.

Clean Endurance also queried the technical suitability of Boudheib for a potentially fast-paced championship. It feels the FEI’s decision was influenced by the new organizer’s financial package which includes prize money of $545,000 USD, ten times the minimum requested in the bid document. Half will be split between all finishers, plus a best condition award...

Read more here:
https://horsesport.com/cuckson-report-1/replacement-world-title-ride-dismays-endurance-stakeholders/

Great Britain Announces Team for FEI Endurance World Endurance Championship Bouthib (UAE)

EnduranceGB.xo.uk

1 December 2022

FEI Endurance World Endurance Championship Bouthib (UAE) February 2023

Team GB

The Selection Committee have selected the following combinations to represent GB at the World Endurance Championships. Their decision was not an easy one and commiserations go out to those who have been unsuccessful – hopefully they will come forward to be considered for the European Championships to be held in Ermelo, Holland in September 2023.

Chef D’Equipe for the team will be Fiona Bloom, MSc BSc(Hons) MCSP MHCPC ACPAT Cat A RAMP

“I am delighted we are able to send a full team for the championships, we will not underestimate the challenges, but it is a privilege to be alongside the experienced combinations and management team”.

Team Veterinary will be Georgina Vaughan, BVetMed MRCVS

‘I am excited to be working with an experienced team of horses and riders and I am looking forward to helping them prepare to the best of their abilities for the challenge ahead.’

Both Fiona and Georgina bring a massive amount of experience to guide their team with both having competed “in the sand”.

Read about the team members here

Bahrain horse DQ'd, rider suspended

Inside.FEI.org

1 December 2022

The FEI Tribunal has issued a Consent Award in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

In this case, the horse Elijah Solam (FEI ID 107JS65/BRN), tested positive for the Banned Substance Stanozolol following samples taken at the CEI1* 100 Fontainebleau (FRA) on 14 October, 2022.

The athlete, Khalifa Mubarak Salem Sabt (FEI ID 10093534/BRN), admitted the rule violation and accepted the consequences. In its final decision the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse from the event and imposed an 18-month ineligibility period on the athlete; the provisional suspension he already served shall be credited against the imposed ineligibility period. He was also fined CHF 5,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 1,000.

The full Decision is available here.

UAE: Sherineh shines in 17th edition of the National Day Cup race

GulfToday.ae - Full Article

28 November 2022
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sherineh Al Falasi aboard Serafino of the Commando stables was crowned champion of the 17th edition of the National Day Cup race for a distance of 120 km, which was organized by the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

Sherineh’s victory gave the Commandos Stables, owned by Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, their first title in this championship.

The race was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, joining the festivities ahead of the UAE’s 51st National Day.

Organised by the Emirates International Endurance Village in cooperation with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, the 120-km four-stage race drew the participation of more than 243 male and female riders representing stables from all over the country...

Read more here:
https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2022/11/28/sherineh-shines-in-17th-edition-of-the-national-day-cup-race