Horse welfare at the forefront of proposed FEI Rules changes

Inside.FEI.org - full article

05 July 2023
Author: FEI Communications

The first drafts of the proposed FEI Rule changes have been published and are now available online here.

In accordance with the FEI Periodical Rules Revision Policy, the FEI Endurance Rules are the only ones undergoing a full revision but some modifications of lesser scope have been introduced to the other FEI Rules and Regulations as well. The focus of this year’s changes is on horse welfare with strong proposals featured in the FEI General Regulations, the FEI Veterinary Regulations, and several discipline rules.

“At the heart of the FEI's mission lies an unwavering commitment to horse welfare,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “This year, we have been fortunate to receive insightful horse welfare-oriented proposals from the National Federations and Stakeholders alike. Our Technical Committees and Headquarters have attentively listened to the community and incorporated many invaluable proposals into the fabric of the Rules...

Read more here:
https://inside.fei.org/media-updates/horse-welfare-forefront-proposed-fei-rules-changes

Unity is Strength for Portuguese Endurance Athlete Leonor Moreira

FEI.org - Full Article

06 July 2023
Words by Stacey Stearns

"Endurance is a life lesson..."

The sun hasn’t risen yet when Endurance riders begin arriving at the barn to feed horses and prepare for a 160km competition. A horse whinnies a greeting, and other horses begin moving about their stalls. Excited anticipation fills the air as preparations quietly begin.

A couple hours later, grooms begin walking the horses in large circles around ride camp to warm up, while riders nervously watch and wait, reviewing the course and their ride plan one more time.

Before long, they head off into the dark morning, head lamps bobbing up and down as they quietly trot down the track, already separating into groups by country, ride plan, or with training partners.

This is Endurance, and the partnership with the horse and pure joy of the sport keep horses and human athletes returning to head down another trail in the early morning hours.

“For me the best thing about Endurance is the teamwork between the horse and rider, handlers, veterinarians and grooms,” Leonor Moreira of Portugal says...

Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/unity-strength-portuguese-endurance-athlete-leonor-moreira

Mission accomplished in the Tom Quilty

Sarah Sullivan photo

NoosaToday.com.au - Full Article

02/07/23
Erle Levey

New Zealand endurance rider and horse breeder Ashley Cole came to Imbil on a mission – to take home the Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

Riding nine-year-old Arab stallion Tonki Dee Boo Novak, it was a matter of mission accomplished as Ashley crossed the 160km finish line in a time of eight hours, 44 minutes, 54 seconds.

From the Coromandel region of the North Island, Ashley was among almost 200 riders who competed in Australia’s premier endurance horse event.

The 2023 Tom Quilty was held at Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Centre at Imbil, in the Mary Valley.

Catherine Bailey of Bullio Razorback Arabians at Orange, NSW, was second, riding Razorback Targayen, and Nikki Sample of Stirlings Crossing Endurance at Imbil, was third, riding Brookleigh Danu...

Read more here:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/02-07-2023/mission-accomplished/

Alstonville's Duncan Woodhead makes his way to the podium in the Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

Sarah Sullivan photo

LismoreCityNews.com.au - Full Article

By Jon Fleetwood
Updated June 29 2023

Alstonville resident and president of the Tenterfield Endurance Riding Club, Duncan Woodhead, finished second in the heavyweight division of Tom Quilty Gold Cup.

This year's race was held in Imbil, Queensland, where 182 competitors took on a gruelling 160 kilometre course.

The 24 hour race began at midnight and competitors raced through the night with no sleep as they traversed the ranges of Imbil.

Not all were successful though, only 131 entrants successfully completed the course and passed the relevant vet checks.

The Tenterfield Endurance Riding Club has a long history of success at the race and this year was no different...

Read more here:
https://www.lismorecitynews.com.au/story/8253574/alstonvilles-duncan-woodhead-gallops-to-glory/?cs=27565

US Equestrian Announces U.S. Endurance Team for 2023 FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Department | Jun 29, 2023, 10:00 AM EST

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athlete-and-horse combinations that will represent the United States at the 2023 FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors, scheduled to take place September 2, 2023, at Castelsagrat, France. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Lisanne Dorion with support from Dr. Olivia Rudolphi as the team veterinarian.

The following combinations will represent the U.S. Endurance Team and are listed in alphabetical order:

Avery Betz-Conway (Kingsland, Ga.) and RAS Istanbul, a 2011 Arabian gelding owned by Estanar S. A.

Alex Shampoe (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Fine Cut Gold, a 2011 Arabian mare owned by Valerie Kanavy and Wendy MacCoubrey

Meghan Wert (Spring Mills, Pa.) and Gilted Gold, a 2015 Anglo-Arabian mare owned by Valerie Kanavy

Competition Information

Learn more about the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors here.

More at:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-announces-us-endurance-team-for-2

New Zealand farmer makes quick work of Quilty Gold Cup

Sarah Sullivan photo

Arr.news - Full Article

By Fran Cleland, The Regional
28 June 2023

A farmer from New Zealand has won Australia’s most famous endurance ride, the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, completing the 160km course in the third fastest time in the event’s history.

Ashley Cole, riding the nine-year-old Arabian stallion Tonki Dee Boo Novak, crossed the finish line at Stirling’s Crossing, Imbil, Queensland, at the eight hour, 44 minute-mark, just a minute ahead of Catherine Bailey and Razorback Targaryen in second place.

Nikki Sample riding Brookleigh Danu was third, finishing the course in eight hours, 58 minutes.

Ashley and her husband, Ash, run a diversified farming operation on their property at Raetihi on New Zealand’s north island that see them juggling sheep, cattle and bees, as well as breeding Arabian horses.

Ashley returned to endurance riding about 10 years ago after an 18-year hiatus and competes with her husband and son, Clay, as members of the Central Districts Endurance Club.

“It was either buy a horse or have another kid,” she says on the club’s website. “The horse won!”...

Read more here:
https://arr.news/2023/06/28/new-zealand-farmer-makes-quick-work-of-quilty-gold-cup/

Scotland: Dunning-based horseman Iain Paterson rode 100 miles through the Cairngorms – in 21 hours

KDM Photography

TheCourier.co.uk - Full Article

June 18 2023
by Gayle Ritchie

Iain Paterson and his horse Primo tackled 100 miles of tough, tricky terrain in less than a day. Gayle Ritchie reports.

Darkness was falling as Iain Paterson trotted through the ancient Caledonian pine forest, glow sticks lighting the way.

He and his horse, Primo, were nearing the end of their epic 100-mile endurance ride through the Cairngorms, and, while they were weary, their spirits were high.

They were in the heart of Abernethy forest, having set off from Glen Clova at 4am with the ambition of finishing the Cairngorm 100 race within 24 hours. They nailed it, completing in 21 hours – winning the 2017 event to boot.

However, it wasn’t just speed that clinched the pair the top title. The sport takes horse welfare very seriously – the overall winner needs to have passed vet checks before, during and after the ride that deem the horse to be in good health.

Relief and elation

“There’s something so magical about riding along in the half-light through this beautiful old Scottish woodland,” reflects Iain.

“You pop out at the top of Nethy Bridge and think, ‘good God, I’ve really done this’...

Read more here:
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/outdoors/4484317/100-miles-through-cairngorms-horseback-21-hours/