Pamela Young: Controversy in Endurance

Chrisstafford.podbean.com - Radio podcast

The editor of Horse Sport International, Pamela Young, joins me to discuss the international controversy surrounding the welfare of horses in the sport of endurance and letters from National Federations to the FEI calling for specific action. These topics are being covered in the current issue of Horse Sport International - http://www.horsesportinternational.com. Follow us on Twitter @horsesportintl and @chrisestafford.

Hear the radio podcast here:
http://chrisstafford.podbean.com/2013/05/30/pamela-young-controversy-in-endurance/

Australia: Endurance rider passes 10,000km mark

Mudgeeguardian.com.au - Full Article

By Ben Harris May 31, 2013

Horseman John Howe joined an exclusive club on the weekend when he notched up 10,000 kilometres of endurance riding.

The milestone was achieved during the Mudgee Endurance Ride on Sunday.

Howe and his trusty horse Ashbend Perazzi, or Ears as the 12-year-old is known, were given an enthusiastic applause when the pair crossed the finish line.

Howe was only able to celebrate the milestone once the vet gave Ears the all clear after the 83km event.

“I got the thumbs up from the vets and it was absolutely fantastic,” Howe said.

It has been a journey 26 years in the making and one that would not have begun if it weren’t for cricket.

“I was watching the cricket one night and seeing the likes of Allan Border scoring a truckload of runs, and I knew I was never going to be carrying the drinks for Australia so I thought I could be successful at endurance riding,” he said...

Read more here:
http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/1540680/endurance-rider-passes-10000km-mark/?cs=12

France: Julien Goachet on Quran El Ulm wins at Compiegne

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

May 26, 2013
By Pamela@horsereporter

May 24, 2013, Compiegne, France ~ The UAE’s Saeed Ahmed Jaber Al Harbi prevented a clean sweep by the French riders in the FEI 3 *160 Nations Cup Endurance in Compiegne, France, which was supported by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

French rider Julien Goachet on Quran El Ulm finished first in this important 160-km ride with the Emirati rider Al Harbi on Reef Beethoven in second place and another French rider Laurent Mosti on Reve De Sauveterre in third in this highly testing event.

Goachet on Quran El Ulm completed the 160-km event in 7 hours 42 minutes and 36 seconds at an average speed of 20.57 kmph...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/?p=6952

Al Harbi prevents French sweep in Compiegne Endurance

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Emirati rider finishes second in 160km event

Staff Report
Published: 19:39 May 26, 2013

Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s Saeed Ahmad Jaber Al Harbi prevented a clean sweep by home riders in the 160-kilometre endurance in Compiegne, France, which was supported by the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.
French rider Julien Goachet on Quran El Ulm finished first, with Al Harbi on Reef Beethoven in second place and another French rider Laurent Mosti on Reve De Sauveterre in third.

Goachet finished in 7 hours 42 minutes and 36 seconds at an average speed of 20.57 kmph.

“My horse looked in great shape as the trainer had done a good job and I was confident right from the start,” said the winner...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/al-harbi-prevents-french-sweep-in-compiegne-endurance-1.1188853

Doping Scandal Rocks Middle East Endurance

Chronofhorse.com - Full Article

May 21, 2013
By: Staff

Prominent European federations are pressuring the Fédération Equestre Internationale to “clean up” endurance riding in the Middle East, citing the high incidence of doping and equine fractures in the area.

The Swiss Equestrian Federation is currently in strong correspondence with the FEI—some of which has leaked onto the web—saying the “negative evolution” of endurance is so unacceptable a breakaway sport should be considered. Belgian officials have complained about “unimaginable proportions” of leg injuries, and the French are asking for a clean-up before the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in their country to avoid “a welfare scandal at a major event.”

And while the FEI is understood to have already taken stronger action, including directly appointing some of the officials at rides in the United Arab Emirates from the start of their next winter season, the Swiss remain dissatisfied with the FEI response and last week made further written demands...

Read more here:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/doping-scandal-rocks-middle-east-endurance

Ireland: Castleruddery

Enduranceridingireland.com - Full Story

Event: Castleruddery

Date: Sun May 19 2013

Mountains, valleys, forests and rivers - it's no wonder our prehistoric forebearers chose to settle here and raise the mysterious and timeless standing stone circle at Castleruddery. All was just as beautiful and mystical for the setting of the recent ILDRA endurance ride, organised superbly (as usual) by Sam Hawkins and his capable team of helpers, Larry O'Neill, Nicki Boud-Tighe, Emma McCarthy and Gillian Moody, with the veterinary expertise of Barbara Fonzo available to assess the horses competing.

Sam had marked a route which made great use of farmland and forest tracks, taking in Fauna and Mulrew forests with the farthest reaches of the trail stretching into Drumreagh at the back of Church Mountain. The tracks were in the best condition possible, with several stretches greatly improved from previous years and there can be few more delightful canter sections on endurance rides than those situated within the scenic Glen of Imaal - particularly on a sunny day! The route rode very well indeed with enough challenging terrain to make it a true 'endurance' test. In addition to the marvellous scenery (and to keep the horses on their toes!), riders caught frequent glimpses of wildlife, including deer and hare...

Read more here:
http://www.enduranceridingireland.com/endurance-riding-ildra-event-report.php?id=289

Dubai’s ruler bans steroids as horseracing scandal widens

FT.com - Full Article

By Simeon Kerr in Dubai and Roger Blitz in London
May 23, 2013

Dubai’s ruler has banned the use of steroids in the United Arab Emirates as he seeks to stem the widening doping scandal at his Godolphin stables.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the UAE prime minister, said he had ordered the drafting, with immediate effect, of legislation criminalising the import, sale, purchase and use of anabolic steroids in all horse-related sports.

“Regrettably, one of my stables in Europe has recently fallen below the standards that I expect and will tolerate,” he said in a statement. “I have always believed in the integrity of horseracing...”

Read more here:
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/72d37cb8-c3af-11e2-aa5b-00144feab7de.html#axzz2UDChgNrl