90 riders for Federation Qualifiers

DUBAI ? More than 90 endurance riders will be participating in two Federation Qualifiers at Boudthib Endurance Village, Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi, today.


The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation organises Qualifiers at regular intervals to help riders and horses to qualify themselves to ride in higher category rides.

As many as 25 riders are likely to ride in the 80km qualifier which will be run in three phases of 30km, 30km, and 20km respectively.


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UK: "Olympic-style" opening for Endurance Championships

Horse and Hound
Carol Phillips
February 9, 2005

Alfred's Tower in Wiltshire is to be floodlit for the first time in its history as part of the opening ceremony of the 2005 FEI Open European Endurance Championships

Organisers of the 2005 FEI Open European Endurance Championships are planning an "Olympic-style" opening ceremony for the prestigious 100-mile race ride, which is taking place in Britain for the second time in its history on 3-7 August.

In the run up to the championships, riders from around the country will be supporting the event by taking turns in carrying a promotional baton along a 200-mile route from the 1993 championship venue at Southwell in Nottinghamshire, to Alfred's Tower, two miles north-west of Stourhead House at Mere in Wiltshire. The ride will raise funds for the championship's adopted charity Spinal Research, and the British Horse Society Access Department.


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FEI: Changes in Endurance rules next year

Khaleej Times
20 February 2005

ABU DHABI ? A highly educative and interactive seminar on endurance riding was organised in the Capital on Tuesday by The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation in association with the Emirates International Endurance Village and Federation Equestre Internationale, FEI.

The seminar was also a part of the FEI recognised Judge Course for Candidate. The seminar-cum-course attracted over 40 participants belonging to different disciplines and nationalities, including UAE, America, France, India, Qatar, Iraq, UK, Sudan, Egypt, and Sweden.

The event, held at the Sheraton Hotel, was being organised on the occasion of the the President?s Cup Endurance Cup, which was held at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba, on Thursday.

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50 Attend FEI Course in Abu Dhabi

Photo by Steph Teeter

US: FITS at Goethe Feb. 28 - March 5

A sanctioned, large-scale horseback endurance ride is coming to the area at the end of the month.

The Fun in the Sun endurance rides event (FITS) will be held at Goethe State Forest Feb. 28-March 5


So just what is endurance riding?

Valerie Kanavy, a gold medallist in the sport, describes it as a marathon for horses.



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UAE: Mohammad and Hazza to lead UAE's challenge

www.gulfnews.com



Abu Dhabi : General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, and Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan are expected to lead a strong team of UAE riders in tomorrow's His Highness The President of the UAE Cup endurance ride.
The 160-km ride, held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, will get off to a mass start at 6am at the Emirates International Endurance Village here in Al Wathba.

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EnduranceNet Coverage

FIrst UAE Woman to Compete in President's Cup

EnduranceNet Scoop!
Photo by Grace Ramsey


Sheikha Madiya bint Hasher Mana Al Maktoum will ride Saif al Arab in the upcoming President's Cup on the 17th of February. She will join 125 other competitors in the grueling 160km course through the sands near Abu Dhabi UAE. Sheikha Madiya is an avid endurance competitor andwill attempt to complete the course within the allotted time.

She previously competed in the UAE CEI** Nation Cup event in January. Successfully completing the course. Her first 160km completion came last August at the Abu Dhabi Arabian Nights CEI*** event held in Oreana Idaho USA.

Sheika Madiya has trained extensively in preparation for this event and brings with her a seasoned mentor in Grace Ramsey of the United States.

Sheika Madiay is setting a fine example for riders in the UAE, helping to spread the feeling that endurance is accessible to all who which to become riders!


Full Event Coverage by EnduranceNet

Carthage family hooked on endurance horse riding

By Ryan Malashock
Globe Sports Writer
2/14/05

CARTHAGE, Mo. ? About three years back, Dina Stevens? curiosity had bubbled over. Stevens begged her friend Genie Wunderlich, who had participated in competitive endurance horse riding since 1989, to allow her to accompany Wunderlich on a ride.

?It was just a conditioning ride, but I took her on the fastest, wildest ride I had ever taken anybody on,? Wunderlich said.

Evidently, it wasn?t too wild, because Stevens was hooked. Upon her return home, Dina?s husband, Carl, could immediately sense a passion that needed to be delved into further.
?She came home and seriously that was all I heard about for a few days,? Carl said. ?So, she had five weeks to get ready for her first race, and it all took off from there.?

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