Britain: Back in the saddle

Thisisdorset.net - Full Story

A YOUNG horse-riding champion is celebrating getting back in the saddle after a brush with death.

Dean Brown, 11, suffered head injuries after being kicked in the head by a pony when he tripped over in a paddock.

Three months later Portland's Junior British Endurance Champion is still recovering, but is now back riding.

His mother Lisa Brown, of East Weare Road, Portland, said: "I am happy to say he is well on the mend now.

"He was the one that wanted to get straight back into it ...

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New Zealand: Jenny Champion wins national endurance championship

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Story

March 27, 2008

by Annie Studholme

North Islander Jenny Champion has made it two from two on South Island turf taking out the coveted CEI*** 160km National Endurance Championship held at Kurow Racecourse, in the upper reaches of the Waitaki Valley, last weekend.

A surprise winner of the event when it was last held in the South Island two years ago at Hawarden, the Eketahuna-based rider took the honours with a gutsy performance on her talented little part-Arab mare Freckles ahead of some of the more favoured competitors. Riding conservatively over the first three loops the duo started applying the pressure, but still looked out of winning contention.

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South Africa: Export zone in lockdown, 155 horses reported dead

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Story

March 25, 2008

Nearly 270 cases of deadly African horse sickness have been reported across South Africa as efforts continue to minimise the impact of the insect-borne disease.

While the number of cases continues to climb, the key Western Cape export zone remains free of the disease and a lockdown is in place in an effort to maintain its status.

A 2004 outbreak which penetrated the export zone led to an embargo on the import of horses by the European Union. It cost the horse industry in South African an estimated R250 million ($NZ39m) loss of income and job losses.

Authorities report there are 34 horses in South Africa's export facility, Kenilworth Quarantine Station, including South Africa's elite competition horses representing disciplines such as polo, endurance, various Olympic events and, to a lesser extent, horseracing.


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Quarantine a key issue in resuming Australia horse imports

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Story

March 26, 2008

by Neil Clarkson

Quarantine issues remain a significant hurdle as New Zealand moves towards resuming imports from Australia.

Horse imports from Australia have been suspended since late August in the wake of the equine influenza outbreak in New South Wales and Queensland.

A massive control effort costing more than $A100 million has eradicated all known cases, but the country must remain free of the disease until at least late this year before it can formally be considered clear of EI.

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Spain: Endurance Race to Come Through Jimena

Jimenapulse.wordpress.com

by prospero

Riding and horse fans will be pleased to hear that the III Tierras de Al-Andalus Kaliber Endurance Race is scheduled to come through Jimena on Wednesday, April 2nd on their way to Ronda in one of several stages of the race.

Known in Spanish as raid, this particular race is considered unique in the riding world because of its specifications. Starting in Seville tomorrow, it will end in La Beata on April 5th.

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Al Muhairi brothers make it a family affair in 120-km ride

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter

Photo - Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News

Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum presents the trophy to Al Muhairi in Abu Dhabi. Adnan Sultan of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (left) and Lara Sawaya of Tasweeq and other winners are also shown.

Abu Dhabi: Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi and his younger brother Thani Al Muhairi finished 1-2 in the Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge Two 120-km endurance ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village here on Saturday.

Ali, who is the Racing Manager for Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, had earlier in the season finished behind his younger brother.

Even yesterday, Ali on Garaman Mikado was in second place behind Thani but a fiercely-contested final loop in which two of the UAE's best performers- Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi and Omair Hussain Al Beloushi were also there - left the elder of the siblings crossing the finish line first.

Determined effort

Omair, on Sharahd Sataka, and Yousuf on Estaban were in third and sixth places when they went out on the final loop. Both launched a determined effort on the Al Muhairi brothers and Ali took up the challenge while Thani decided to just keep going at a steady pace.

Ali, Omair and Yousuf were involved in a close battle and with speeds crossing 30km/h for the final loop, Ali managed to finish ahead of Omair with Thani in third and Yousuf in fourth.

However, both Omair and Yousuf's horses failed the final vet check which allowed Thani Mohammad Al Muhairi to finish second behind his elder brother.

Ali Mohammad, who had finished second to his younger brother in Dubai, had finished third in the three-day 240-km ride in Boutheib and finally won on the last day of the UAE's domestic endurance season.

"It was a tough ride and because of the two Al Reef riders, we really had to push hard on the final loop. We are very happy with these results and also on the whole season," said Ali, who is also an endurance horse trainer with yesterday's top two coming from his stables.

Earlier in the morning, a total of 126 horses started in the five-stage 120-km ride which had a total prize money of Dh400,000 and a luxury car on offer for the top riders.

Yesterday's ride was attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai ,and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

Results

1. Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi (Garaman Mikado) 4hrs 35mins 38 secs;
2. Thani Mohammad Al Muhairi (Karabil Kaiya Hai) 4:41.52;
3. Mohammad Ahmad Ali Al Subose (Kamel Armor) 4:51.36;
4. Ali Ganem Al Merri (Little Joe Fox) 4:55.21;
5. Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim (Ro Acuarela) 4:58.09.


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Abu Dhabi: Over 100 riders for final event in Al Wathba

Gulfnews.com - Full Story

Abu Dhabi: Friday's Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge 120-km endurance ride has attracted over 100 riders and will bring the curtain down on the 2007-08 endurance season here at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

Sponsorship

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, said that apart from the 120-km Open ride a Qualifier Ride will also be held.

"There will be a total prize money of...

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