Horse endurance trail riders flock to Wyanet

6/26/2014
NewsTribune photo/Katlyn Rumbold

WYANET — What began as a way to give back to the horse industry five years ago has transformed into one of the most popular annual endurance horse races in North Central Illinois to date.
This weekend, June 27-29, horse enthusiasts will gather just northeast of Wyanet to take part in the sixth annual ‘My Back Yard’ horse ride co-managed by Lori Windows and Jennifer Allen, both of Bureau County.
‘My Back Yard’ is a weekend of trail rides and endurance races running through the scenic hills, creeks, timber and fields of the county. The event is open to all levels of horse riders.
“On Saturday, we offer a 50-mile endurance ride and a 25-mile limited-distance,” Windows said. “We also offer a 12.5-mile drive and a 12.5-mile novice ride.”
The 50-mile endurance ride will begin at about 5 a.m. followed by the 25-mile limited distance at 5:30 a.m. then the 12.5-mile novice ride after that, said Larry Allen, who is hosting the ride on parts of his land. “Every ride is open to everyone,” said Windows. But for somebody who hasn’t conditioned their horse frequently Allen advises,
“They might want to try the novice ride. Some people may think they’re ready for 25 miles, but haven’t done the proper conditioning.”
Distance riding is one of the few equestrian sports where beginners and longtime champions can compete on an even field, riding anywhere from 10 to 100 miles in a given race. It is a sport for everyone who loves horses and riding, regardless of age, breed of mount, and experience level.
“Distance riding is what we do,” emphasized Windows. She has ridden more than 40,000 miles in competition, having competed at all levels including the World Equestrian Games.
“We can’t have a sport if somebody doesn’t offer to manage rides,” Windows said. “It’s a lot of work, but I think anybody who rides and/or enjoys this sport should pay it back somehow. A lot of our help are other riders.”
Distance riding is also one of the only animal sports that animal rights groups accept, as the horse is and always will be the first priority. If the horse seems too hot or sore, it won’t compete, Allen said.
“Those are professional veterinarian opinions,” he said. “Not just someone off the street.”
In fact, while endurance racing, competitors are required to stop at designated “vet-checks” to make sure their horse is performing properly. If the vet finds something wrong, they’re required to stop.
Dr. Wes Elford will be the head veterinarian at this year’s race. Windows said he has been all over the world checking horses at both world and national championships.
Awards will be given to competitors placing first through sixth. Camping will be available for those staying throughout the weekend.

To ride or just help with the race, call co-manager Lori Windows at (815) 878-4555.
For directions, call host Larry Allen (815) 866-3565.

Illinois Valley News Tribune

Australia: Tahnaya Mercieca finishes in top 10 at the NSW junior endurance riding championships

Westernadvocate.com.au - Full Article

By SAM DEBENHAM June 26, 2014, 4 a.m.

Eglinton rider Tahnaya Mercieca has, for the second year in a row, finished in the top 10 at the NSW junior endurance riding championships which were held last weekend in Wisemans Ferry.

Mercieca, who is just 10 years old, was onboard her purebred Arabian Malleegrove Quaarma for nearly two-thirds of a day as she completed the 160-kilometre trek.

She was fifth for the junior division, taking a total of 18 hours, 23 minutes – minus a vetting time of 3h30m for a total ride time of just under 15 hours.

Her mum Michelle even went to the lengths of trying to talk her daughter out of competing given the wet and miserable conditions, but the youngster, who has been riding for five years, wouldn’t be deterred...

Read more here:
http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/2376595/tahnaya-mercieca-finishes-in-top-10-at-the-nsw-junior-endurance-riding-championships/?cs=12

Australia: Taking on the (horse) world

Gleninnesexaminer.com.au - Full Article

Jennifer Annetts and Churinga Goldfire or one of Jennifer’s other endurance horses are a common sight riding along Red Range and Glen Legh Roads in the later afternoons and weekends, but this is no casual canter.

Jennifer has been selected in the five-rider team to represent Australia in the endurance event at the World Equestrian Games to be held in Normandy, France in August, and she is in training to optimise her performance in the gruelling 160 kilometre one-day event.

The World Equestrian Games is the largest equestrian event in the world, celebrated every four years (alternating with the Olympic Games). Endurance is one of eight equestrian disciplines contested.

Jennifer was involved in Glen Innes Pony Club as a youngster but has gone on to specialise in endurance events, taking her (and her support crew including mum Trish) all over Australia. Endurance rides may vary from 80 to 160 kilometres over one day, and there are marathon rides of two days of 100km rides and the annual Shazada event of 80km on each of five consecutive days...

Read more here:
http://www.gleninnesexaminer.com.au/story/2374802/taking-on-the-horse-world/?cs=420

France: Poland's Kamila Kart Wins Tarbes Ibos

24 June 2014

Kamila Kart and Ajayeb won the 160-km Tarbes Ibos CEI*** on 23 June 2014, by 6 seconds over Khalid Sanad Al Nuaimi and Gazelles du Bosphore EwalRaid, in a final ride time of 8:53.53, averaging 17.98 km/h. Paula Muntala Sanchez and Razizka La Majorie took the bronze in 8:58.58.

Twenty-three of forty riders completed the course.

For complete results, see:
http://www.endurancetiming.com/raids/Tarbes_Ibos_CEI_160_Km_2014.PDF

FEI Endurance Department - Open position for Director

24 June 2014

Ian Williams, Director Endurance Department, has taken the decision to retire at the end of this year after 12 years with the FEI. We would like to thank Ian for all his years of dedication to the FEI and we wish him a restful and happy retirement.

In order to ensure a smooth transition, we are now looking for a Director to work with Ian Williams until his retirement in December and then take over full responsibility for running the Endurance discipline. The job description is available on FEI.org. Should you wish to apply or need any further information regarding the position, please contact the Human Resources Department at recruitment@fei.org.

Endurance controversy continues at breakneck speed

HorsetalkNZ
By Neil Clarkson on Jun 24, 2014

The endurance storm of the past year appears close to becoming a Category 5 hurricane.

There were hopes that the long process of reform driven by the FEI in the past year would see the sport leave behind the welfare and drugging controversies centred on several Group VII nations in the Middle East, but that may well prove to be a forlorn dream.

The largely unspoken fear throughout the reform process – at least on an official level – has always been that the Middle Eastern nations will not be able to reconcile the new rules, which come into force on August 1, with their aggressive style of desert racing.

The evidence that emerged from last month's Compiègne CEI event in France would lead many to the conclusion that the gulf between what Western nations consider is acceptable in the sport of endurance and what the Middle Eastern nations think is OK is perilously close to insurmountable.

The events of Compiègne prompted five well-respected French endurance vets to pen an open letter which provides a sorry litany of issues that give rise to serious concern.

Ironically, it came just hours after the FEI gave the nod to rules to clean up endurance.

[More ...]

USA Endurance Set Sights on Team Medal in France

by Merri Melde
Monday June 23 2014

The USA endurance team heads to Normandy, France for the World Equestrian Games on August 28, 2014, with one goal in mind: a team medal in the World Endurance Championship.

"I'm not going over there to look at that castle out there on the beach, Mont Saint-Michel," says US Chef d'Equipe Emmett Ross. "We're going over there to win a medal."

Ross will take a strong team to face the world over a previously unridden 160-km trail (parts of the trail were tested during last year's WEG pre-ride) that will traverse hills, fields, single track roads, pavement, and the beach along the Bay of Normandy on the English Channel. "In an event like the World Equestrian Games, riders must know how to manage their horse over a distance of 160 km, changing gait according to the terrain and the challenges faced, maintaining an average speed of 15 to 23 km/h throughout," says WEG Manager of the Endurance discipline, Nicholas Wahlen.

Ross has the riders for the course. "It puts a premium on good riders - and we have good riders. We have experienced riders." Ross' 2012 World Equestrian Championship team in Great Britain just missed the bronze medal, averaging 19.49 km/h. "This team is better than that one, even though that team was the Who's Who of American endurance."

USEF named the shortlist of horse/rider combinations on June 19, and the final Nominated List of 10 will be sent in to the Organizing Committee in France on June 25. Barring any mishaps, the top 5 will be the team that takes to the French trail: Heather Reynolds and Chanses, Ellen Olson and Hot Desert Knight, Dr Meg Sleeper and Syrocco Reveille, Jeremy Reynolds and RR Gold Dust Rising, and Kelsey Russell and My Wild Irish Gold. Russell is the first USA Young Rider to ever make the senior World Championship team. In 6th and 7th places are Jeremy Olson and Wallace Hill Shade, and Valerie Kanavy and Just Gold.

After the final list is turned in, Ross will focus on the top 7 riders and horses (countries are allowed 5 riders, and 2 spare horses in the barn), working with them on their training schedules and final preparations. The team will fly over on August 12 to a private stable near the venue, where they will have 2 weeks to relax, top off on training, and get organized.

Ross is pleased with his team and very confident. His riders are athletes, and all horses are fit and have been through exhaustive numerous veterinary exams. The weather, Ross feels, is not a factor. "We're coming from heat and humidity training - all of our horses are on the east coast or in Iowa - and they're talking about it being very hot over there, at 78 degrees!" Ross says. "And if it rains, then I feel we even have a better advantage, because we over here, like the French do in Europe, experience different types of terrain and different types of weather.

"We used to dominate the sport, but since 1998 we've done nothing at the WEC or the WEG. Nothing. No teams, no individuals, nothing. And we've been finishing teams now, with a lot of 4th places. So now we're ready to step up."

Follow news and updates on the US endurance team and the
at http://www.endurance.net/international/France/2014WEG/.