Bahrain: Season opening endurace ride set

Gulf-daily-news.com

October 29, 2010

THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) is today organising the Breef Season Opening Endurance Ride Championship.

Starting at 4pm, the first event of the 2010/11 season will be held at the International Endurance Village in Sakhir. It is a qualifying ride covering a total distance of 80 kms.

The ride, due to conclude at night, is divided into three stages, with 30 kms for the first stage marked with red stripes.

The second stage will also be over 30 kms and is covered in green while the third stage, which is over 20 kms, is marked yellow.

The total duration of the ride is seven hours and 50 minutes. There will be a 30-minute break between the first and second stages while the break between the second and third will be 40 minutes. Maximum weight for the riders is 75kg, including the horse gears.

Breef, under the presidency of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has finalised its preparations for today's qualifying ride. The registration of riders taking part has been completed.

This ride will be a great opportunity for all riders to prepare for the new season. It also aims to attract new riders.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Khalid expressed confidence of a very successful season.

Shaikh Khalid, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports vice-president, said this season's rides would be different from the previous ones.

He believes that the foundation of endurance rides is expanding with more riders from different stages expected to sign up for the new season's competitions.

Shaikh Khalid underlined the development of endurance rides in Bahrain to the unlimited support of His Majesty King Hamad.

The Breef's chief also highlighted the achievements of Bahraini riders in regional and international championships, the last of which was at the World Equestrian Games held in Kentucky where some of the world's best riders were in the fray.

Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa is the event's organising committee chairman.

The Ground Jury is headed by Ghalib Al Alawi while Haider Zubi of Jordan will be the foreign judge. Other ground jury members are Mohammed Dadulla, Abdulghani Al Boosta, Ali Ghuloom, Mahdi Al Kalaiti and Fahad Al Romaihi.

Mahmood Hassan is the chief steward while Abdulla Al Rumaihi is the other steward for the event.

The veterinary commissioner is Dr Khalid Hasan while Mahmood Al Hammad of Saudi Arabia will be the foreign veterinarian.

Other veterinarians are Bahrain's Dr Ebrahim Yousif, Dr Sabah Al Kabie, Dr Abu Obaidah Yaqoob, Dr Abdelrahman Abu Shook and Dr Caonabo Melo of the Dominican Republic.

Meg Wade on the road to recovery

Photo: Jill Craig - ABC Goulburn Murray

ABC.net.au

28 October 2010
By Jill Craig (ABC Goulburn Murray)

After a devastating horse accident in early 2009 local endurance rider Meg Wade is determined to get back on a horse.

The equestrian world was shocked in Easter 2009 when they heard the terrible news that Australia's most successful endurance rider Meg Wade had fallen during a ride.

The fall at Tumbarumba left Meg Wade unconscious and fighting for her life in a Canberra hospital.

Burrowye-based Meg says endurance racing was a favourite event for her; she has competed in 65 160 kilometre races, with wins in 25.

"As the race got longer I got better... I think a lot of it is the metal attitude; I am pretty strong mentally.

"Your horse doesn't know whether it's going out to do 80 kilometres or 160; you're the one in charge."

Meg's accident happened when she was competing in a 100 kilometres Easter endurance ride at Tumbarumba...

More article and audio interview here:
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/10/27/3049935.htm

Malaysia: King To Lead Local Riders In Terengganu Endurance Challenge

Bernama.com.my

October 26 2010

KUALA TERENGGANU, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- The Sultan's Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge 2010 from Nov 5-7 in Lembah Bidong, Setiu will feature 80 local and international riders.

Head of secretariat for the Sultan Cup 2010, Faridah Mat Ali said 15 international riders from Thailand, United States, France, Singapore, Australia, Uruguay and Indonesia have so far confirmed their participation.

"Though the closing date for entries is over, we will still accept last minute entries," Faridah told Bernama here Tuesday.

Faridah said the local challenge would be led by none other than Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

She said the challenge, organised jointly by the Terengganu state government and Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable, (RTES) over a 120km distance, would offer RM126,000 in total prize money.

Faridah said the winner would receive RM30,000, runner-up (RM20,000), third(RM15,00), fourth (RM10,000) and fifth (RM8,000).

-- BERNAMA

Aussie link to WEG endurance win

Weeklytimesnow.com.au - Full Article

Jenny Sheppard | October 25, 2010

AUSTRALIAN riders may not have starred in the 100-mile endurance at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, but there was one link to Australia in the championship.

Silver medallist Sheikh Mohammed, of the United Arab Emirates, riding Ciel Oriental, owns the global Darley Stud, which has four Australian properties, one at Seymour and three in NSW.

He also heads his family's Godolphin Racing operations in NSW.

Gold went to Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton, from Spain, riding Nobby, and bronze to Sheikh Mohammed's son Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, riding SAS Alexis.

Although thrilled with the victory, Ponton also credited Sheikh Mohammed...

Read more here:
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2010/10/25/248111_horses.html

Sultan bin Khalifa backs Princess Haya's bid to FEI presidency

WAM - Emirates News Agency

Oct 24, 2010 - 04:53 -

WAM Abu Dhabi, 24th Oct. 2010 (WAM) -- Chairman of the Emirates Equestrian Federation HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, declared his support to HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for re-election as President of the Federation Equestrian International (FEI) for the second time in a row.

He pointed out that the UAE supports Arab talents to take up international and continental positions, praising Princess Haya's bid as she had well managed to help the (FEI) scale to new heights in the few last years.

He also assured that the Emirates Equestrian Federation trusts Princess Haya's abilities to implement her election program for the benefit of equestrian sports through her renewable ideas and visions.

He mentioned that she is the best to assume the position of presidency of the (FEI) because of her many remarkable achievements and international reputation and fame in equestrian field.

As a knight whose star shone in several Olympics as well as local and global endurance championships, he noted Princes Haya is a real asset to the Arab Equestrian which is a valuable component of the UAE heritage, culture, and traditions that UAE is pride of.

Spain: Catalonian Championship

October 16 2010

The 120 km CEI** Raid Moias, the Championship of Catalonia, Spain, was run on 16th October 2010. There were 67 starters and 46 finishers.

Winner was Jordi Arboix riding Ainhoa le Paladine, covering the 120 km in 6:35.48, for an average speed of 18.19 km/h.

For complete results see Blog "El Raid" at
http://ggjineteraid.blogspot.com/2010/10/resultados-del-cei-120-km-moias.html

AHC's horse Welfare Code gains support

HPJ.com

The American Horse Council's National Welfare Code of Practice continues to garner support from the horse community. The Welfare Code outlines in generic terms what it means for an organization to be committed to the responsible breeding, training, care, use, enjoyment, transport, and retirement of horses. Many associations have undertaken studies, reviews, and initiatives that show their commitment to the welfare of their horses. This generic code is simply a continuation of that effort.

The latest groups to support the National Welfare Code include the Arabian Horse Association, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, League of Agricultural and Equine Centers, Master of Foxhounds Association, Pinto Horse Association of America, The Pyramid Society, U.S. Dressage Federation, and U.S. Equestrian Drill Team.

They join 10 other national groups that have already endorsed the Welfare Code. They include the: American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Endurance Ride Conference, American Paint Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, National Cutting Horse Association, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, U.S. Equestrian Federation, and U.S. Trotting Association.

"We are pleased with the positive feedback and continued interest we have received from a broad spectrum of equine organizations since the Welfare Code of Practice was announced this past November," said AHC President Jay Hickey. "This latest round of endorsements further demonstrates to the public the industry's unified commitment to the welfare and safety of horses, and we hope to build upon this momentum to bring in as many organizations as possible to further reinforce the industry's commitment to safety, health, care and welfare of all horses."

The Code is not intended to replace or pre-empt any activities, rules, or regulations specific to any segment of the industry. Rather it is another indication to the public, the media, federal and state officials, and the horse community that the equine industry "Puts the Horse First."

To view the complete Welfare Code of Practice please visit the AHC website at www.horsecouncil.org/newsroom.php.