UAE: BOUDHEIB - DRIVING THE FUTURE OF ENDURANCE

https://www.facebook.com/boudheib/posts/431796127164351

February 25 2016

H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
11th International Endurance Festival, 6 - 11th March 2017

His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has for many years been concerned by the wonton waste of fine Arabian horses in the sport of endurance here in the region and decided to make changes with the consideration of the 'Welfare of the Horse' at its core.

As a result of recent developments of this sport in the desert regions of the world, speeds have increased from around 18kph in 1998 to current speeds nearing 40kph which exceeds the natural ability of most horses. In order to achieve such speeds, natural dune trails have been replaced by specifically prepared tracks that are maintained hard surfaces. Such tracks were originally necessary in order to preserve any semblance of soundness in horses of these regions, however as speeds continued to increase over the past two decades, so have the countless horse injuries and fatalities!

Sheikh Sultan decided to take a stand by introducing strict rules regulating speed and horse heart rates and so the 'Boudheib Initiative' was born. Returning to natural desert trails which have increased in length to as much as 50% as their
Value has been proven time and again in naturally reducing speed and thereby vastly reducing horse injuries. Boudheib is proud to note that the Boudheib Endurance Village hospital is almost always empty, a fine achievement in less than two years.
Each year, to further improve horse welfare standards, His Highness Sheikh Sultan holds an annual Conference during the Boudheib International Endurance Festival, inviting top international speakers from around the globe to participate in sharing views to enhance the rules which are now being requested worldwide.

This year is no exception, the conference Boudhieb Initiative Worldwide is being held on 8th March at Boudheib Endurance Village at Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi, (registration 9.30). The organisers are delighted to announce a top class panel including :- Roly Owers, UK (World Horse Welfare), Melanie Scott, AUS (AERA President), Laurentinus (Franz) Arts, NED (Senior Endurance Vet), Sybille Merkhart North GER (Endurance Event Organiser), Ahmed Samarraie, GER (Holds National Champs), Kevin Croke IRE (FEI 4* Judge), Leonard Liesens, BEL (Head of Endurance), John Crandell, USA (Endurance Promotion), Kseniia Horbunova, Ukraine and Jean-Paul Boudon, FRA (Organiser FLORAC).

Another newly introduced initiative encouraging conference participation from local trainers, riders, owners and breeders is an invitation which has been accepted by celebrity football club Al Jazira. They will spend time discussing training tactics and injury rehabilitation which can be applied to the same training program for endurance horses. Once again Boudheib is making ground breaking progress!

His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan also wants to tackle the future of endurance by educating young Emiratis in the art of true horsemanship and has put in place a series of beginners rides for both the Boudheib Academy Equestrian Centre Riding School under 16's and open events for young riders never having participated in endurance, this wonderful program teaches the youngsters horse welfare from a young age and both the boys and their horses are loving it.

Everyone is welcome, we have a full program of endurance rides and events with the main feature Boudheib Festival Cup 3 day 3* FEI 240km starting on 9th March

Come and enjoy the beautiful natural desert trails unique to Boudheib.

For festival information and timings visit: www.boudheib.ae or social media: - twitter, instagram & facebook @ boudheib

UAE- Argentina's Catalina Bastons wins Sheikha Fatma bint Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup - 100 km ride

Menafn.com - Full Article

25/02/2017

(MENAFN - Emirates News Agency (WAM))
ABU DHABI, 24th February, 2017 (WAM) -- Argentina's Catalina Bastons won the H.H. Sheikha Fatma bint Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup CEN 100 km Endurance Ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, on Friday.

Riding the nine-year-old chestnut gelding called SM Jota Curado, Bastons prevailed in one of the most hotly contested women's rides where the top five were in the fray until the final minutes.

With as many as 105 women riders taking part in the four-stage race, Bastons, who represented the Jumeirah Stables, showed her superiority and finished the first loop in third place. She then took over to lead in all three remaining stages...

Read more here:
http://menafn.com/1095267274/UAE--Argentinas-Catalina-Bastons-wins-Sheikha-Fatma-bint-Mansour-bin-Zayed-Al-Nahyan-Ladies-Endurance-Cup---100-km-ride

Australia: Moura's Rebecca Hewitt is training for the Mongol Derby

Queenslandcountrylife.com.au - Full Article

Lucy Kinbacher
@lucykinbacher
25 Feb 2017

THE dry and hot conditions across Queensland this summer have been unwelcome for most but at least one person in the state has been using the conditions to her advantage.

Rebecca Hewitt, Roundstone, Moura will be one of 40 riders competing on semi-wild horses in the longest and toughest horse race in the world, The Mongol Derby, from August 9 this year.

The mother-of-two from cattle and cropping property has been running 8km, swimming once a week and doing core strength exercises to prepare herself for the gruelling 1000km course.

Ms Hewitt is no stranger to riding horses, having done pony club and show jumping as a child and now a keen campdrafter, but she has never competed in an endurance ride before...

Read more here:
http://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/4491134/moura-mum-shares-training-schedule-for-mongol-derby/

Australia: Hendra vaccine developers dismiss accusation of 'bullying'

Dailymercury.com.au - Full Article

21st February 2017

by Emily Smith
DEVELOPERS of the Hendra vaccine have been accused by a state MP of "bullying" to sell their product, even though he helped prepare a report confirming the vaccine's effectiveness.

The committee inquiry into Hendra virus EquiVac vaccine and its use by veterinary surgeons in Queensland was first tabled in October last year, and was discussed further in State Parliament on Thursday.

It recommended that the vaccine should not be made mandatory, but vets should also maintain the right to refuse treatment to unvaccinated horses, effectively maintaining the current situation.

Yet under the protection of parliamentary privilege on Thursday, Mirani MP Jim Pearce criticised the attitudes of both vets and the vaccine's marketers Zoetis towards the virus.

Firstly he claimed vets were the "worst offenders" for not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), full body suits designed to stop humans coming into contact with the virus when treating a horse.

He then went on to state that he saw it as an example of a drug prepared in haste, not properly tested and it's potential consequences to animals "simply underestimated".

"Another thing that stood out to me and concerned me greatly was that it appeared to be driven by the dollar," Mr Pearce said in parliament.

"Zoetis, the manufacturer of the vaccine, was encouraging vets to not attend to a horse if it had not been vaccinated...

Read more here:
https://m.dailymercury.com.au/news/vaccine-developers-dismiss-accusation-of-bullying/3145897/

UAE: Teenage Sensation Al Merri wins 2017 Gamilati Endurance Cup

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

The 17-year-old, delighted with his win on Raya, is first congratulated by Shaikh Mohammad

February 23, 2017
Gulf News
Staff Report

Dubai: Hamdan Ahmad Al Merri and his mare, Raya, emerged the winners of the sixth Gamilati Endurance Cup for Mares sponsored by Al Tayer Motors Thursday, a 119km ride held at the purpose-built Dubai International Endurance City.

The 17-year-old, who has been riding since the age of six, was first congratulated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, following his victory which stopped the clock in at 4:23.45.

Speaking after the win Al Merri said: “This is a very special win for me, I have been training very hard, and have waited a whole year for this race. My horse is a strong horse and credit must go to her as well, I have been riding with her for a year now and she has done a really good job...

More at:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/teenage-sensation-al-merri-wins-2017-gamilati-endurance-cup-1.1983439

UAE: Gamiliati Endurace Cup on Thursday

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

Ride is contested over 119 kms in four phases and is open to qualified mares only

February 22, 2017 Gulf News
Staff Report

Dubai: The Dubai International Endurance City is set to host the sixth renewal of the CEN 119km Gamilati Endurance Cup for Mares, organised by Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC), on Thursday.

The ride, which was first run in 2012 was named by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, after the Godolphin-trained flat race mare, Gamilati, who claimed the 2012 UAE 1,000 Guineas at Meydan Racecourse.
The Gamilati Cup is competed over 119 kms in four phases and is open to qualified mares only.

In 2012 the inaugural Gamilati Endurance Cup winner was Ahmad Mohammad Al Jaber Al Marri. The following year Poland’s Kamila Anita Kart won the event aboard Ajayeb while Ajayeb completed back-to-back wins in 2014 under Shaikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum...

Read more here:
http://gulfnews.com/sport/horse-racing/gamiliati-endurace-cup-on-thursday-1.1982917

Australia: Tumut’s annual endurance ride

TATimes.com.au - Full Article

By Frances Vinall - February 22, 2017

Horse riders from as far afield as Queensland and Victoria travelled to Tumut last weekend for the annual Tumut Endurance Ride, this year staged in the picturesque Gilmore Valley.

Competitors had the option of 5, 10, 20, and 40 kilometre rides, and could do a different ride on the Saturday and the Sunday if they wished.

For the past two years the ride has been held at the Tumut Showgrounds, but this year riders had the treat of venturing through the hills of Gilmore, thanks to accommodating property owners...

Read more here:
http://www.tatimes.com.au/tumuts-annual-endurance-ride/