Friday, February 27, 2009

FEI 2009 rules: Mandatory rest period clarification

Please note the FEI Rule Clarification Below

FEI Rule 815.3 states:

Mandatory Rest for Horses:
815.3.1 After competing in a CEI events, a horse must be given a mandatory minimum rest period, as defined, before it is again eligible to participate in a FEI competition:

Distance completed 0 – 80 km 13 days rest
81 and above 20 days rest
815.3.2 If a horse is eliminated for metabolic reasons which require immediate invasive treatment at any CEI event, it must be given a mandatory minimum rest of 60 days before it is again eligible to participate in a CEI event.

815.3.3 If a horse is eliminated for metabolic reasons which require immediate invasive treatment at any 2 consecutive CEI events or twice within any 3 month period, it must be given a mandatory rest period of 90 days before it is again eligible to participate in a CEI event.

815.3.4 The FEI Technical Committee may decide to create a supplementary schedule for additional rest requirements for horses who suffer consistent metabolic elimination problems over time in consultation with the FEI Veterinary Committee.

Clarification:
Mandatory rest periods are based upon the actual miles completed at a competition.

Example 1

A rider completes a 160km competition: the rest period is 20 days between, and not including the starting date of the 160km and the starting date of the next competition the horse may enter.

Example 2

A rider enters a 160km and retires or is eliminated at 70km. The rest period is 13 days between and not including the start of the 160km and the starting date of the next competition the horse may enter.

Example 3

A rider enters a 120km competition and retires or is eliminated at 85km. The rest period is 20 days.

If you have questions regarding this rule contact Vonita Bowers

Vonita Bowers
Endurance Director
The United States Equestrian Federation
4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, Ky 40511
Direct # (859) 825-6001
Main Line (859)258-2472
Fax # (859)231-6662
vbowers@usef.org

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Respected Equestrian, Musician Honored Wednesday

Baltimore - WJZ.com
Feb 25, 2009 4:54 pm US/Eastern

At the Reginald Lewis Black History Museum, a ceremony was held to honor eight Marylanders who have made significant contributions to African American culture. In the arts, the award is going to a singer, poet, producer, activist and internationally respected equestrian--Jean Albert Renaud, known as "Jar."

His voice has carried Jar from the projects of east Baltimore to fame with Motown records. He opened for the Jackson Five. You name the Motown legend and he toured with them. He was a star and, like all stars, began to burn out.

"You kinda get lost because you make a lot of money fast--sex, drugs and rock and roll, and you get caught up in that and I got caught up in it," he said.

At his lowest, he returned to Baltimore and his first love, horses.

"In the end, the horse saved my life," he said. "I had something to turn to when I lost myself."

That was 25 years ago. Since then, Jar has become a recognized trainer.

"It's a dance," he said.

He rides stallions, stallions he's used to create a new breed of horse, "mowalkerab." They're bred for endurance riding.

Two years ago, when Jar was 65 years old, he rode his stallions on a 500 mile race from New Mexico to Missouri. He trains horses for the royal families of the United Arab Emirates. He also raced across the desert of Qatar for the Duchess of York.

"I base my riding on the same thing life is based on," he said. "The heart doesn't skip a beat. It's a rhythm."

Now 67, Jar lives on his ranch in northern Baltimore County.

His next project is to save the wild mustangs and create a ranch where troubled kids and horses can heal each other. To learn more, click here.

WJZ.com article

American Endurance Ride Conference Annual Convention Wrap-Up

Release: February 25 2009

Endurance riders from across the U.S. and Canada made their way to Louisville, KY, for the American Endurance Ride Conference’s 2008 convention, held February 20-21 at the Galt House Hotel.

The convention, which included educational seminars, “hot topics” workshops, trade show, meetings for international competitors, a class for veterinarians, and a dance, concluded with a heartfelt and tearful national awards banquet.

Suzy Kelley, a longtime endurance rider from Southern California, was taken by surprise when she was named to AERC’s Hall of Fame. Called to the stage, Suzy could only say, “I’m not a speaker. Bye!” But her tears stood testament to the impact of this major award. Suzy has racked up 16,000 miles of competition, and has an 89% ride completion rate over 24 years of riding.

Suzy is not just a rider, however. As presenter Kim Fuess noted, “Suzy can meet someone on the trail and within a week they are riding one of her horses at an AERC ride.” And while Suzy is competitive, Kim said, “She is always willing to lend a hand, or share her crew, even if you are her closest competitor.”

The equine Hall of Fame award went to Edens Bay Rum, a 17-year-old bay Arabian gelding owned by MJ Jackson of Bluffdale, UT. In 12 years of competition, Edens Bay Rum has racked up 151 completions in 154 starts, and of those 7935 miles, 88% were top 10 finishes.

As presenter Susie Schomburg helped unveil a portrait of AERC’s newest Hall of Fame equine by California artist Laurie Anderson, MJ made her way to the podium, and said of her horse, “He’s a super guy. I hope you can see him on the trail. He is still going.”

AERC’s third major award honors a partnership of rider and equine. The Pard’ners Award was presented to Bailey Rose Eiland and Nimphas Barbi, who have been competing together for 10 seasons, which is remarkable since they were both born in 1990. Bailey Rose and Barbi, who hail from the El Paso area, have started 104 rides together and completed 101. Barbi has been taking it easy of late, having recently foaled BRE Renegade Rose, but should be back to competing soon.

Accepting the honor from longtime family friend Roger Taylor, Bailey Rose said of her registered Arabian mare, “It’s as if we were meant to be together. I can’t wait to go home and share this award with her.”

Other special presentations included the United States Equestrian Federation’s Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award which went to Valerie Kanavy. Valerie, a competitor in the recent World Endurance Championships, received the prestigious trophy for earning the most FEI points in the 2008 season.

AERC installed new officers at their general session meeting, with Connie Caudill of Henryville, IN, taking the reins of the 6,800-member organization. Serving as Vice President is Laura Hayes of Brocton, NY. Roger Taylor, of Albuquerque, NM, is treasurer and the secretary’s post is held by Jan Stevens of Ashland, MT.

Plans are already underway for AERC’s 2010 convention, set for February 19-20 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. For more information about AERC or endurance riding, contact the AERC office, located in Auburn, CA, at (866) 271-2372 or e-mail aerc@foothill.net or visit www.aerc.org.

Troy Smith

Uruguay - Panamericano application deadline

Deadline for Pan Am Applications for USEF riders is February 28

The Deadline to apply for the Pan American Endurance Championship Team is February 28, 2009. The competition is April 24-26, 2009 40km from Montevideo, Uruguay. Applications must be postmarked, faxed or hand delivered with the appropriate fees by the end of the day on February 28. For more information and the complete selection procedures for the event, go to the USEF website www.usef.org or contact Vonita Bowers at (859) 825-6001.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

re: [RC] France requests change to 2008->2009

From: <Leonard.Liesens@ec.europa.eu>
Date: February 22, 2009 2:46:52 AM MST
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>, <steph@endurance.net>
Subject: RE: [RC] [Endurance Tracks] France requests change to 2008-
>2009

Hi,
Come on... It is not just France who is mad about this transitional
regulation from FEI. The Group1 and Group2 National Federations are
against this.
There are also a big list of problems between european federation and
FEI : Showjumping Global Champions Tour, Dressage committee. There
will be a big meeting between European NF and FEI on 10th March in
Deauville. Belgium has put the endurance item on the schedule of the
meeting.

wait and see...

The problem is as follows :
- most of the europeaa federation have got their qualification system
system well before FEI even tought about qualifications were
necessary for horses and riders : 30km==>40km==>60km==>80km==>100km
before being allowed to enter FEI rides
- and now the FEI would come and say "Hi guys, 'm the big brother and
I will tell you how to do endurance..."
- there are in Europe thousands horses already qualified according to
the 2008 system (having completed several CEI**) who would have to re-
enter a CEI** before being allowed to compete on 160km
- without taking into account the horses who are already qualified at
what we call the CEN (national system) level, 120 and even 160km.
Those horses should START ALL OVER AGAIN.

So please, Steph, add this paragraph to the release :-)

Thanks and happy trail

Leonard, www.endurance-belgium.com

Friday, February 20, 2009

France requests change to 2008->2009 Transitional Measures

The French Federation urgently requests that the FEI reconsider it's refusal to accept modifications of the current qualification transitional measures. The Federation requests that all Star/Distance qualifications achieved under the 2008 qualification rules be accepted, for all 2009 competitions as though they had been achieved under the 2009 Star qualification rules. Without this change, it is estimated that 1500-2000 french horses will otherwise not be qualified for 2009 **/*** events.


Read more (PDF)

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Chase TheWind AH Named 2008 Arabian Horse Association Distance Horse of the Year

Release: February 12 2009
By Hilary Nixon

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) is proud to name purebred Arabian gelding Chase TheWind AH (El Paso x Wind Sonja), owned by Suzanne Ford Huff of Gardnerville, NV, as its 2008 Distance Horse of the Year. Chase received this prestigious acclaim for his outstanding accomplishments in endurance; he completed nine of nine starts during 2008 and received Best Condition twice.

As the winner of the Distance Horse of the Year Award, Chase TheWind AH's name will be engraved on a perpetual trophy donated by the Arabian Horse Owners Foundation and designed by Joe Staheli. Huff will also receive an engraved plaque.

In 2008 alone, Chase earned himself several accolades, including the Nevada All-State Trail Riders Triple Crown Award, finishing his 15th 100-mile one-day ride. There was more than a six-hour difference between Chase and the second-place finisher. Chase also took third at the Virginia City 100-Mile and first place and Best Condition at the High Desert 50-Mile Ride in Fallon, NV.

"Chase did great in 2008, but has been competing every year since 1997. He has accumulated an outstanding record of 15 wins, 35 top 10s, and nine Best Conditions in the featherweight division. He has accumulated 3,985 endurance miles," said Huff. "He has won 10 AHA Regional Purebred Championships, four reserve championships and two top 10s. He has officially finished 14, 100-mile one-day rides, including three of the toughest rides in the country—Swanton, Bighorn and Tevis. He earned a top 10 at Tevis in 2000 as a 10-year-old and then returned at 17 and took third. He has accumulated $25,000 in sweepstakes prize money," adds Huff.

Huff counts 2006 as one of Chase's best years because he was awarded the American Endurance Ride Council National 100-Mile award and the AHA High Point Award in the 100-mile category.

"What makes this horse and his accomplishments even more amazing is that he does it all with an old, traumatic hock injury. Chase is tough in body and mind. He is one of those special horses that just keeps on giving," said Huff.

For more information on AHA distance programs, visit www.ArabianHorses.org/Distance or contact AHA at (303) 696-4531.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Jay's guideline charts for FEI qualification

The following graphics are flow charts assembled by Jay Randle (Australia) to help riders understand the steps involved in qualifying riders and horses for FEI competitions.


disclaimer: These are NOT official FEI documents, please consult the FEI rules for full qualification rules



Note from Jay: "In Australia, the AERA rules override the FEI rules, so the big difference is that although the FEI says that a horse must do either 1) 2 x 40km rides PLUS 2 x 80km rides, OR 2) 3 x 80km rides, BEFORE it can start in an FEI* ride, our Aussie rules state that a horse must do 3 x 80km rides first. And our rules state that a rider MUST do 2 x 40km rides AND 3 x 80km rides before we can move onto FEI.

So, that's really the only difference here (between AERC and AERC riders)."

FEI Horses Flowchart


FEI Riders Flowchart

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Date and Location Announced for 2009 North American Junior/Young Rider Championships Pending Final FEI Approval

US Eventing Association

Updated: 2009-02-05

Lexington, KY – Pending final FEI approval, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is announcing the following date and location for the 2009 North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). The USEF has received preliminary approval from the FEI and is awaiting final word from the FEI Bureau.

As the competition season is getting into full swing, the USEF is providing the following information so Juniors, Young Riders and their Trainers and Chef d'Equipes can plan their schedules accordingly.

Pending final FEI approval, the NAJYRC will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park July 22-26, 2009. This is a unique opportunity to use the venue which has been completely redesigned for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Construction is due to be completed in March.

Andrew Ellis will serve as the overall competition manager.

The discipline managers are as follows:

Dressage: Lloyd Landkamer

Eventing: Mary Fike

Reining: Brad Ettleman

Show Jumping: David Distler

Vaulting will have an exhibition during the Championships and Endurance is running a CEIY3* concurrently in Louisville, KY.

Wickenburg: Endurance ride produces local winner

Original Article - The Wickenburg Sun

Cheri Noel and her horse ‘Blue’ with prize buckle
Participating in her first endurance ride, local businesswoman Cheri Noel rode across the finish line in the 25-mile portion of the Land of the Sun Endurance Ride on Saturday, Jan. 24, tying for first place.

Riding “Blue,” an 8-year-old grade roan gelding, she completed the course in two hours and 30 minutes. Noel purchased Blue from the Kay El Bar Ranch last May after the resort closed for the season and, as far as she knows, this was his first competition as well. For their efforts, she received a gold belt buckle, T-shirt, and a piece of artwork from local artist Tammi Riggs. Blue also received the award for “Best Condition” of all horses in the 25-mile competition.

Lawrence and Maureen Serrano and Cruz Ruiz, other local 25-mile competitors, placed within the top 10 finishers. Brothers Jose Roberto and Benjamin Ruiz also rode in this division, which had 65 participants.

In the 50-mile competition, locals Bruce Rosenthal finished ninth and Cindy Thal finished 18th out of 71 riders. The last competitor in the 50-mile division finished at 7:41 p.m. in total darkness. This rider came from Pahrump, Nev., and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to complete the course even though she was disqualified for being overtime. Special thanks go to the drag riders and rescue crew for accompanying her in her quest for a finish.

This ride has been held here for more than 30 years with the Wickenburg Horsemen’s Association (WHA) sponsoring it for the last seven. It is a sanctioned event by AERC (American Endurance Riding Conference) and riders come from all over the nation and the world to participate. The trails are maintained and groomed by WHA members and on the day of the ride at least 100 volunteers are out in the desert making sure everyone is safe and stays on course. The High Desert Search & Rescue also donates time by providing communications and emergency assistance. Veterinary services are provided by Drs. Jim Lytle, Sid Vargas, Mike Close, Robin Waldron, Joanne Naylor and Rich Kiely as well as the pre-vet students from the University of Arizona. Nancy Halsey, WHA treasurer, served as ride manager again this year.

Everyone had a great time on a beautiful Arizona winter morning. WHA appreciates the assistance of Vivian Helmsworth, DD Western World, Serenity Farms, Bashas’, Sundance Pizza & Tastee Freez, Tom & Tammie Riggs, HorseTrailerMonitor.com, Laura Bovee Photography, Creations in Thread, together with Theresa Capriotti and her crew who prepared the banquet on Saturday and everyone who volunteered their time to help make this ride possible.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Rider, horse rescued after wilderness ordeal

The Dahlonega Nugget - Full Article

By Matt Aiken
Published: Wednesday, February 4, 2009 10:33 AM EST

An afternoon horseback ride turned into an unexpected survival situation for Elizabeth Burrell as she lost her way in the Chattahoochee National Forest on Saturday.

The Dawson County resident was separated from her group at around 2 p.m. while riding near Winding Stair Gap on Jake Mountain.

"We were going down a real steep incline and my husband got off his horse," said Burrell. "His horse turned around and ran away and disappeared so I left my husband there on foot. I don't know how but [my horse and I] turned around and got lost and could never find the trail again. Nor did I find his missing horse."

Meanwhile as Burrell searched for the trail her husband's horse returned to him.

"The horse returned but she didn't return," said Lumpkin County Emergency Management Director Don Seabolt.

This discovery set off an informal search among friends and volunteers.

Once the sun began to dip below the trees, the authorities were alerted and officials from the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office (LSCO), Lumpkin County Fire Department, Department of Natural Resources and nearby Frank D. Merrill Ranger Camp joined the search effort.

Search dogs from Lee Arrendale State Prison and a thermal-imaging helicopter from Georgia Sate Patrol (GSP) were called in to assist as well.

Meanwhile Burrell and her horse Morning Star, exhausted from hours or searching for the trail, settled in for the night.

"I found a safe spot and I settled my horse down because she was very upset and I stated dragging firewood to this little clearing on the mountain," said Burrell.

More...

Arizona Endurance ride produces local winner

The Wickenburg Sun
photo: Cheri Noel and her horse ‘Blue’ with prize buckle

Participating in her first endurance ride, local businesswoman Cheri Noel rode across the finish line in the 25-mile portion of the Land of the Sun Endurance Ride on Saturday, Jan. 24, tying for first place.

Riding “Blue,” an 8-year-old grade roan gelding, she completed the course in two hours and 30 minutes. Noel purchased Blue from the Kay El Bar Ranch last May after the resort closed for the season and, as far as she knows, this was his first competition as well. For their efforts, she received a gold belt buckle, T-shirt, and a piece of artwork from local artist Tammi Riggs. Blue also received the award for “Best Condition” of all horses in the 25-mile competition.

Lawrence and Maureen Serrano and Cruz Ruiz, other local 25-mile competitors, placed within the top 10 finishers. Brothers Jose Roberto and Benjamin Ruiz also rode in this division, which had 65 participants.

In the 50-mile competition, locals Bruce Rosenthal finished ninth and Cindy Thal finished 18th out of 71 riders. The last competitor in the 50-mile division finished at 7:41 p.m. in total darkness. This rider came from Pahrump, Nev., and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to complete the course even though she was disqualified for being overtime. Special thanks go to the drag riders and rescue crew for accompanying her in her quest for a finish.

This ride has been held here for more than 30 years with the Wickenburg Horsemen’s Association (WHA) sponsoring it for the last seven. It is a sanctioned event by AERC (American Endurance Riding Conference) and riders come from all over the nation and the world to participate. The trails are maintained and groomed by WHA members and on the day of the ride at least 100 volunteers are out in the desert making sure everyone is safe and stays on course. The High Desert Search & Rescue also donates time by providing communications and emergency assistance. Veterinary services are provided by Drs. Jim Lytle, Sid Vargas, Mike Close, Robin Waldron, Joanne Naylor and Rich Kiely as well as the pre-vet students from the University of Arizona. Nancy Halsey, WHA treasurer, served as ride manager again this year.

Everyone had a great time on a beautiful Arizona winter morning. WHA appreciates the assistance of Vivian Helmsworth, DD Western World, Serenity Farms, Bashas’, Sundance Pizza & Tastee Freez, Tom & Tammie Riggs, HorseTrailerMonitor.com, Laura Bovee Photography, Creations in Thread, together with Theresa Capriotti and her crew who prepared the banquet on Saturday and everyone who volunteered their time to help make this ride possible.