Thehorse.com
by: Edited Press Release
April 08 2008, Article # 11633
A recall of certain refrigerators manufactured by Dometic includes units used in some horse trailers, according to a manufacturer's notice. The defective refrigerator units were manufactured between April 1997 and May 2003 and are designed for use in recreational vehicles.
The refrigerators pose a safety hazard, due to the possibility that a fatigue crack can develop in the boiler tube. This can allow the release of pressurized coolant solution. If this solution is exposed to an ignition source, it can result in fire under certain circumstances.
To determine whether your refrigerator is included in this recall, find the model and serial number by opening the unit's door and looking for the sticker attached to the side wall of the interior.
The potentially affected units have the following model numbers:
* NDR1062
* RM2652
* RM2662
* RM2663
* RM2852
* RM2862
* RM3662
* RM3663
* RM3862
* RM3863
The units have serial numbers beginning with the following combinations:
* 713xxxxx through 752xxxxx
* 801xxxxx through 852xxxxx
* 901xxxxx through 952xxxxx
* 001xxxxx through 052xxxxx
* 101xxxxx through 152xxxxx
* 201xxxxx through 252xxxxx
* 301xxxxx through 319xxxxx
The affected units require immediate service. Continued use could pose a safety hazard. Call 888/446-5157, or go to DometicUSA.com to confirm if your refrigerator is included in the recall and receive additional instructions.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
37-YEAR-OLD HORSE CLOSING IN ON TRAIL MILEAGE RECORD
Pushing the envelope of equine athletic prowess, 37-year-old half-Arabian Elmer Bandit is gearing up to start yet another competitive trail ride season.In 2007 Elmer's certified lifetime competitive miles stood at 20,240, nearing the national record of Saddlebred Wing Tempo's 20,710 miles.
Elmer's lifelong owner and rider, Mary Anna Wood of Independence, Mo., said she plans to enter Elmer in eight rides this year, depending on her schedule and Elmer's health, but she said she isn't chasing any records. Continue reading...
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Oyster-Eating Championship Back After Two Year Absence
ACME OYSTER EATING CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS
The early favorite is a mohawked chef from Chicago known as Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, ranked 2nd in the world. Bertoletti has posted numerous astounding records, 21 pounds of grits in ten minutes among them. He also holds the endurance oyster eating record, having downed north of 50 dozen in 2007.[More ...]
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
USEF WEC Early Application deadline is 1May!!
The World Endurance Championship Early Application deadline is May 1st, 2008. While Applications and Horse Nominations can be made until June 15, 2008, the fees are higher for those applications postmarked, faxed or hand delivered after May 1st, 2008. The application must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Procedures and applications can be found on the USEF website, www.usef.org. For further information regarding application or selection for the World Endurance Championships, contact Vonita Bowers at vbowers@usef.org or (859) 825-6001.
I. APPLICATION - Athletes wishing to be considered for the 2008 World Championship Endurance Team must complete an Application Form (see attachment A) and return it with the appropriate application fee to the USEF, Attention: Vonita Bowers, Endurance Director, 4047 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Applications and fees postmarked, hand delivered or faxed on or prior to May 1, 2008 will be charged an Application Fee of $50 PER APPLICATION. Applications and fees postmarked, hand delivered, or faxed after May 1, 2008 and received on or before June 15, 2008 will be charged an application fee of $300 PER APPLICATION. HOWEVER, NO APPLICATIONS SHALL BE ACCEPTED UNLESS RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE June 15, 2008. NO APPLICATIONS SHALL BE ACCEPTED IF THE APPROPRIATE FEE IS RECEIVED AFTER June 15, 2008.
II. HORSE NOMINATIONS - Athletes wishing to be considered for the 2008 World Championship Endurance Team must complete a Nomination Form (see Attachment A) for each horse that the athlete wishes to nominate and return it with a nomination fee of $50 PER HORSE NOMINATION to: USEF, Attention: Vonita Bowers, Endurance Director, 4047 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Nominations and fees postmarked, hand delivered or faxed on or prior to May 1, 2008 will be charged a Nomination Fee of $50 PER HORSE NOMINATION. Nominations and fees postmarked, hand delivered, or faxed after May 1, 2008 and received on or before June 15, 2008 will be charged a Nomination Fee of $300 PER HORSE NOMINATION. HOWEVER, NO NOMINATIONS SHALL BE ACCEPTED UNLESS RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE June 15, 2008. NO NOMINATIONS SHALL BE ACCEPTED IF THE APPROPRIATE FEE IS RECEIVED AFTER June 15, 2008.
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. 4047 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40515 859-258-2472
Please email webmaster@usef.org to be removed from this mailing list
I. APPLICATION - Athletes wishing to be considered for the 2008 World Championship Endurance Team must complete an Application Form (see attachment A) and return it with the appropriate application fee to the USEF, Attention: Vonita Bowers, Endurance Director, 4047 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Applications and fees postmarked, hand delivered or faxed on or prior to May 1, 2008 will be charged an Application Fee of $50 PER APPLICATION. Applications and fees postmarked, hand delivered, or faxed after May 1, 2008 and received on or before June 15, 2008 will be charged an application fee of $300 PER APPLICATION. HOWEVER, NO APPLICATIONS SHALL BE ACCEPTED UNLESS RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE June 15, 2008. NO APPLICATIONS SHALL BE ACCEPTED IF THE APPROPRIATE FEE IS RECEIVED AFTER June 15, 2008.
II. HORSE NOMINATIONS - Athletes wishing to be considered for the 2008 World Championship Endurance Team must complete a Nomination Form (see Attachment A) for each horse that the athlete wishes to nominate and return it with a nomination fee of $50 PER HORSE NOMINATION to: USEF, Attention: Vonita Bowers, Endurance Director, 4047 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Nominations and fees postmarked, hand delivered or faxed on or prior to May 1, 2008 will be charged a Nomination Fee of $50 PER HORSE NOMINATION. Nominations and fees postmarked, hand delivered, or faxed after May 1, 2008 and received on or before June 15, 2008 will be charged a Nomination Fee of $300 PER HORSE NOMINATION. HOWEVER, NO NOMINATIONS SHALL BE ACCEPTED UNLESS RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE June 15, 2008. NO NOMINATIONS SHALL BE ACCEPTED IF THE APPROPRIATE FEE IS RECEIVED AFTER June 15, 2008.
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. 4047 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40515 859-258-2472
Please email webmaster@usef.org to be removed from this mailing list
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Application Process Underway for 2008 World Endurance Championship
Usef.org
Release: March 26 2008
Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is currently accepting applications for the 2008 World Endurance Championship CEI****. Scheduled for November 5-9, 2008 in Terengganu, Malaysia, the USEF is expecting to send six horse/rider combinations to the World Championships.
Athletes on the Endurance National Training List should apply no later than May 31, 2008. Athletes who are not currently on the Endurance National Training List may apply as Wild Card Selections.
The selection procedures and application can be found on the USEF website at
http://www.usef.org/contentPage2.aspx?id=hpendurance.
For more information regarding Wild Card Selections, the World Endurance Championship and the Endurance Discipline contact Vonita Bowers vbowers@usef.org.
Release: March 26 2008
Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is currently accepting applications for the 2008 World Endurance Championship CEI****. Scheduled for November 5-9, 2008 in Terengganu, Malaysia, the USEF is expecting to send six horse/rider combinations to the World Championships.
Athletes on the Endurance National Training List should apply no later than May 31, 2008. Athletes who are not currently on the Endurance National Training List may apply as Wild Card Selections.
The selection procedures and application can be found on the USEF website at
http://www.usef.org/contentPage2.aspx?id=hpendurance.
For more information regarding Wild Card Selections, the World Endurance Championship and the Endurance Discipline contact Vonita Bowers vbowers@usef.org.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Equestrian games to spark business
News.enquirer.com - Full Article
FLORENCE – It’s more than two years away, but already local business leaders are preparing for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, which are expected to draw more than 600,000 spectators to Northern Kentucky.
Slated to be held at the 1,200 acre Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington from Sept. 25 through Oct. 15 the games – which have been called the largest sporting event ever to be held in Kentucky – are anticipated to have a more than $150 million impact on the Northern Kentucky economy, according to event organizers.
More...
FLORENCE – It’s more than two years away, but already local business leaders are preparing for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, which are expected to draw more than 600,000 spectators to Northern Kentucky.
Slated to be held at the 1,200 acre Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington from Sept. 25 through Oct. 15 the games – which have been called the largest sporting event ever to be held in Kentucky – are anticipated to have a more than $150 million impact on the Northern Kentucky economy, according to event organizers.
More...
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Britain: Sponsorship of Fiona Hamilton
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 2008
A J Walter Aviation to Sponsor British
Endurance Rider, Fiona Hamilton
A J Walter Aviation, the aircraft support specialist, is sponsoring the twenty year old champion British Endurance rider Fiona Hamilton throughout the 2008 international season and beyond.
Christopher Whiteside, Managing Director of A J Walter, explains his Company’s decision to provide funding and support. “It might seem unusual for an aviation company to support an equine athlete but, for us, the decision was quite easy. Endurance riders and their horses have to be at the absolute peak of physical stamina to maintain performance in arduous conditions. Riding for 100km with regular vet-gates to monitor super-fast recovery rates is a bit like maintaining and flying aircraft with minimum turn-around. You need the best team around you to ensure success and maximum efficiency.
“Unlike other countries, the British Team do not get any financial support from the Government, the responsibility for funding participation in events and the care and maintenance of their horses lies firmly with the riders and their families. It’s tough for athletes like Fiona, they work extremely hard and it takes an incredible amount of discipline and talent to reach the top in this demanding equine sport. We are proud to be able to help this young rider achieve her goals of winning medals in international and national competitions.”
Having just returned from H.H. President’s Cup in Abu Dhabi, Fiona will be attending Harling Down on 16th March and will be travelling to Italy in June to compete in an arduous 120km race undertaken by Endurance specialists from all over the world. She is aiming for a medal at the World and European Championships in Italy 2009 and Kentucky 2010, where she will be ‘flying the flag’ for Great Britain and A J Walter Aviation.
COMPANY CONTACT:
Christopher Whiteside, Managing Director
A J Walter Aviation
Tel: +44 (0)1403 711777
e-mail: enquiries@ajw-aviation.com
-end-
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Goring , Inter Relations & Company
Tel: +44 (0) 1403 218588
e-mail: jane@inter-relations.co.uk
A J Walter Aviation, London, was established in 1932 and awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2002. The Company specialises in the supply, repair and lease of commercial aircraft spare parts; aircraft inventory management; power-by-the-hour; consignment stock; global 24 hour AOG; aviation component maintenance and overhaul; logistics and cost-effective freight management. Further information is available at www.ajw-aviation.com
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Horse Quencher Named “Official Hydration Product of the AERC”
Equestrianmag.com - Equestrian News Release
Newtown, PA - Equatic Solutions and the American Endurance Ride Conference are proud to announce that Horse Quencher is joining the AERC family as a Platinum sponsor, and as the "Official Hydration Product of the AERC."
Horse Quencher™, the product designed to encourage horses to drink water, is a natural fit for the AERC, where proper hydration is paramount to both competitive success and the health of the horse. Endurance races cover anywhere from 25 miles limited-distance rides to 250 miles in a multi-day ride, and these elite horses and riders must submit to periodic vet checks and hold points to ensure the health of the horse before continuing. After the vet exam, during the hold period, Horse Quencher is increasingly being used to encourage water intake.
Not an electrolyte product, and not a sugary "equine soda pop", Horse Quencher is instead a precise blend of natural grains and flavorings that do just one thing: encourage drinking. For horses without a need for electrolytes, is a perfect single solution for horses that won't drink enough due to trailering, stress, illness, strange water, etc. For endurance horses, who generally must be fed electrolytes, Horse Quencher is a perfect companion product to increase total water consumption.
Randy Eiland, board member and sponsor liaison for the AERC, said, "AERC is pleased to welcome Horse Quencher into our family of sponsors. The welfare of our equine partners takes priority with our membership and Horse Quencher is a unique product that helps insure their welfare by encouraging them to drink; one of the most important factors in keeping hard working equines at their best."
Anne Kusmich, co-founder of Equatic Solutions said, "We are so very pleased to be able to support the mission of endurance riders and of the AERC. Nancy, Leslie and I are all active trail riders, even trailering many states away for multi-day rides, so we feel we have a lot in common with the spirit of endurance riding. Our need to hydrate our horses while traveling led to Horse Quencher, so it’s only natural that it would in turn lead us to partner with the AERC."
Horse Quencher comes in four flavors: peppermint, apple, butterscotch, and root beer. It's available either a 25-serving container value tub, or a box of ten single-serving convenience packs, each with a suggested retail of $29.99. Single trial packs - perfect for trying several flavors - are available for $2.99.
All may be purchased at select retailers, by calling 888-783-6247, or online at www.horsequencher.com.
About Equatic Solutions
Equatic Solutions LLC was formed in 2005 to bring Horse Quencher to market. Based in Newtown, Pennsylvania, Equatic Solutions is owned, operated and managed by Anne Kusmich, Nancy Issenman and Leslie Reiss. These women (and their spouses Bob, David and Gary) bring a lot of horse experience to the development of this product. All are currently avid trail riders. Anne breeds Tennessee Walking Horses, Leslie breeds Mountain Horses, Nancy is a former show jumper turned trail rider and Bob plays polo with his Thoroughbreds. They are happy to share this discovery with other horse enthusiasts.
About AERC
The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. AERC sanctions more than 800 events annually, is the leader in education related to the use of equines in long-distance riding and encourages the use, protection and development of equestrian trails in North America. AERC's mission is to serve its more than 6,500 members and to promote endurance riding as a sport in which horsemanship and equine welfare are paramount. For more information about endurance riding and AERC, visit www.aerc.org. Gulf Coast 4 Star www.gc4star.com is the official trailer of AERC and is a sponsor of the AERC National Championship.
Newtown, PA - Equatic Solutions and the American Endurance Ride Conference are proud to announce that Horse Quencher is joining the AERC family as a Platinum sponsor, and as the "Official Hydration Product of the AERC."
Horse Quencher™, the product designed to encourage horses to drink water, is a natural fit for the AERC, where proper hydration is paramount to both competitive success and the health of the horse. Endurance races cover anywhere from 25 miles limited-distance rides to 250 miles in a multi-day ride, and these elite horses and riders must submit to periodic vet checks and hold points to ensure the health of the horse before continuing. After the vet exam, during the hold period, Horse Quencher is increasingly being used to encourage water intake.
Not an electrolyte product, and not a sugary "equine soda pop", Horse Quencher is instead a precise blend of natural grains and flavorings that do just one thing: encourage drinking. For horses without a need for electrolytes, is a perfect single solution for horses that won't drink enough due to trailering, stress, illness, strange water, etc. For endurance horses, who generally must be fed electrolytes, Horse Quencher is a perfect companion product to increase total water consumption.
Randy Eiland, board member and sponsor liaison for the AERC, said, "AERC is pleased to welcome Horse Quencher into our family of sponsors. The welfare of our equine partners takes priority with our membership and Horse Quencher is a unique product that helps insure their welfare by encouraging them to drink; one of the most important factors in keeping hard working equines at their best."
Anne Kusmich, co-founder of Equatic Solutions said, "We are so very pleased to be able to support the mission of endurance riders and of the AERC. Nancy, Leslie and I are all active trail riders, even trailering many states away for multi-day rides, so we feel we have a lot in common with the spirit of endurance riding. Our need to hydrate our horses while traveling led to Horse Quencher, so it’s only natural that it would in turn lead us to partner with the AERC."
Horse Quencher comes in four flavors: peppermint, apple, butterscotch, and root beer. It's available either a 25-serving container value tub, or a box of ten single-serving convenience packs, each with a suggested retail of $29.99. Single trial packs - perfect for trying several flavors - are available for $2.99.
All may be purchased at select retailers, by calling 888-783-6247, or online at www.horsequencher.com.
About Equatic Solutions
Equatic Solutions LLC was formed in 2005 to bring Horse Quencher to market. Based in Newtown, Pennsylvania, Equatic Solutions is owned, operated and managed by Anne Kusmich, Nancy Issenman and Leslie Reiss. These women (and their spouses Bob, David and Gary) bring a lot of horse experience to the development of this product. All are currently avid trail riders. Anne breeds Tennessee Walking Horses, Leslie breeds Mountain Horses, Nancy is a former show jumper turned trail rider and Bob plays polo with his Thoroughbreds. They are happy to share this discovery with other horse enthusiasts.
About AERC
The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. AERC sanctions more than 800 events annually, is the leader in education related to the use of equines in long-distance riding and encourages the use, protection and development of equestrian trails in North America. AERC's mission is to serve its more than 6,500 members and to promote endurance riding as a sport in which horsemanship and equine welfare are paramount. For more information about endurance riding and AERC, visit www.aerc.org. Gulf Coast 4 Star www.gc4star.com is the official trailer of AERC and is a sponsor of the AERC National Championship.
La Musique du Galop
Endurance-belgium.com - Full Article
La Musique du Galop
Notes de Anne Caumont, traduction Léonard Liesens
Avec le décès de Pierre Cazes durant l'été 2005, l'endurance internationale a perdu son Maître, il ne faut pas avoir peur de le dire. Ce texte qui a été compilé par Anne Caumont en 1998 après un stage animé par Pierre Cazes, n'a peut-être pas été assez lu et médité par ceux qui aiment cette discipline. J'aime beaucoup cette expression de la "musique du galop". Tous ceux qui ont eu la chance de faire corps avec un cheval capable de produire cette musique va comprendre. J'ai essayé de traduire - vite - en anglais ce témoignage. Que mes amis anglophones me pardonne les fautes d'expression.
With the loss of Pierre Cazes during the summer of 2005, the international endurance community lost his Master. We should not be shy to say that. The following text has been written by Anne Caumont while attending a clinic ran by Pierre in 1998. This text hasn't been read enough by international riders. Cazes invented during the Toulouse group meeting the expression "To finish first is to win" which demonstrates his cold humour sense. Another expression used in this text is "The music of Canter". I tried to quickly translate this report to English. So do not kill the messenger…
Léonard Liesens
A peine rentrée du stage d'endurance proposé par le CNREE à Gérardmer en cette fin Août, je prends la plume (électronique, rassurez-vous), pour vous faire profiter des enseignements de Pierre Cazes. Point ne devrait être besoin de présenter l'entraîneur de l'équipe de France d'endurance, mais soyons lucides, malgré un développement spectaculaire, l'endurance est loin d'être aussi médiatisée que l'obstacle, lui-même loin derrière le football. Pierre Cazes, donc, a amené l'équipe de France au plus haut niveau mondial avec deux médailles d'or par équipe obtenues haut la main et un certain nombre en individuel, ce qui devrait suffire à vous convaincre de la pertinence de ses propos.
I'm just back from a clinic which was given by Pierre Cazes at Gerardmer (East of France) end august and I'm now busy at my keyboard to try to share his thoughts with you. No need to introduce the national trainer of the French Team, but let's be neutral anyway. Endurance is not known like jumping, not to speak about football. Pierre Cazes brought the French Team several times at the highest level with several team gold medals and individual medals. His words are so clear and pertinent.
More...
La Musique du Galop
Notes de Anne Caumont, traduction Léonard Liesens
Avec le décès de Pierre Cazes durant l'été 2005, l'endurance internationale a perdu son Maître, il ne faut pas avoir peur de le dire. Ce texte qui a été compilé par Anne Caumont en 1998 après un stage animé par Pierre Cazes, n'a peut-être pas été assez lu et médité par ceux qui aiment cette discipline. J'aime beaucoup cette expression de la "musique du galop". Tous ceux qui ont eu la chance de faire corps avec un cheval capable de produire cette musique va comprendre. J'ai essayé de traduire - vite - en anglais ce témoignage. Que mes amis anglophones me pardonne les fautes d'expression.
With the loss of Pierre Cazes during the summer of 2005, the international endurance community lost his Master. We should not be shy to say that. The following text has been written by Anne Caumont while attending a clinic ran by Pierre in 1998. This text hasn't been read enough by international riders. Cazes invented during the Toulouse group meeting the expression "To finish first is to win" which demonstrates his cold humour sense. Another expression used in this text is "The music of Canter". I tried to quickly translate this report to English. So do not kill the messenger…
Léonard Liesens
A peine rentrée du stage d'endurance proposé par le CNREE à Gérardmer en cette fin Août, je prends la plume (électronique, rassurez-vous), pour vous faire profiter des enseignements de Pierre Cazes. Point ne devrait être besoin de présenter l'entraîneur de l'équipe de France d'endurance, mais soyons lucides, malgré un développement spectaculaire, l'endurance est loin d'être aussi médiatisée que l'obstacle, lui-même loin derrière le football. Pierre Cazes, donc, a amené l'équipe de France au plus haut niveau mondial avec deux médailles d'or par équipe obtenues haut la main et un certain nombre en individuel, ce qui devrait suffire à vous convaincre de la pertinence de ses propos.
I'm just back from a clinic which was given by Pierre Cazes at Gerardmer (East of France) end august and I'm now busy at my keyboard to try to share his thoughts with you. No need to introduce the national trainer of the French Team, but let's be neutral anyway. Endurance is not known like jumping, not to speak about football. Pierre Cazes brought the French Team several times at the highest level with several team gold medals and individual medals. His words are so clear and pertinent.
More...
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Riding in Argentina
Endurancegb.co.uk
4th March 2008
EGB member and British Endurance Team member Beccy Broughton has just returned from a month in Argentina - riding and working with real life gauchos....
It had seemed a remote plan when last summer Daniel Videla had talked about his farm in Argentina and his horses and how would Beccy like to go over in the winter with Fiona Fairhurst and be involved in the Princes Trust Challenge ride for charity. Suddenly it was Christmas and flights were booked, clothing bought and a whole chemist shop raided for a variety of medicines - just in case – were bought. The kit bag was packed – amazingly under weight – and the adventure began.
Riding all day over rugged terrain and over high mountain passes from Argentina to Chile at altitudes of over 4,800 metres Beccy rode over 600kms in 12 days and had many adventures. After the first trek the gauchos were a man down and offered Beccy the opportunity to go on a second trek, this time for the Anthony Nolan Trust. Beccy disappeared back into the mountains whilst Fiona and her mum returned home.
Beccy eventually returned home last weekend and is now busy preparing horses for competition this summer.
For more information about her experiences in Argentina and photos of the treks log in to www.beccybroughton.co.uk
4th March 2008
EGB member and British Endurance Team member Beccy Broughton has just returned from a month in Argentina - riding and working with real life gauchos....
It had seemed a remote plan when last summer Daniel Videla had talked about his farm in Argentina and his horses and how would Beccy like to go over in the winter with Fiona Fairhurst and be involved in the Princes Trust Challenge ride for charity. Suddenly it was Christmas and flights were booked, clothing bought and a whole chemist shop raided for a variety of medicines - just in case – were bought. The kit bag was packed – amazingly under weight – and the adventure began.
Riding all day over rugged terrain and over high mountain passes from Argentina to Chile at altitudes of over 4,800 metres Beccy rode over 600kms in 12 days and had many adventures. After the first trek the gauchos were a man down and offered Beccy the opportunity to go on a second trek, this time for the Anthony Nolan Trust. Beccy disappeared back into the mountains whilst Fiona and her mum returned home.
Beccy eventually returned home last weekend and is now busy preparing horses for competition this summer.
For more information about her experiences in Argentina and photos of the treks log in to www.beccybroughton.co.uk
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Annual Endurance Awards Announced at American Endurance Ride Conference Annual Convention
Press Release: March 06 2008
By Troy Smith
Bill Wilson, a 72-year-old from Pekin, IN, was named to the American Endurance Ride Conference's (AERC) Hall of Fame at the association’s awards ceremony, held March 1 in Reno, NV. Wilson completed 24 of 25 50- to 55-mile competitions for a total of 1,775 miles in 2007, and has a total of 21,645 miles of endurance completions to date. He is also a trails advocate and a willing worker for preservation and building of trails.
The horse named to AERC’s Hall of Fame for 2007 was CH Catch Me If You Can, a 16-year-old Half-Arabian bay gelding owned by Earle Baxter. Catch Me, whose home is in Millbank, Ontario, travels with Baxter to rides throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 2007, they completed 735 miles in competitions from Michigan to New Mexico. Catch Me was also presented AERC’s “Perfect Ten” award, given to equines with 10,000 miles of competition and a minimum of 10 best condition awards and 10 first places.
Mike Tracy and Aron Moon+// of Hollister, CA, were presented with the Pard’ners Award, given to the horse-and-rider team that best exemplifies true partnership. At their first ride many years ago, Tracy came into the first veterinary checkpoint “looking like a chicken tied to the rotor of a helicopter,” according to award presenter Robert Ribley, although “Aron looked great.” Through 18 years of competition, the team grew into formidable competitors and fast friends whose partnership has been an inspiration to many.
The Volunteer Service award was presented to Jerry Fruth, who has been a tireless advocate of trails for the nonprofit organization for many years. Fruth, of Wadesville, IN, was instrumental in founding AERC’s Trail Master program, which trains people to build and maintain sustainable trails across the U.S.
AERC’s annual convention featured informational seminars, hands-on hoof labs, regional and national award ceremonies and an extensive trade show dedicated to endurance riding. Next year’s convention is set for February 20 and 21, 2009, in Louisville, KY.
By Troy Smith
Bill Wilson, a 72-year-old from Pekin, IN, was named to the American Endurance Ride Conference's (AERC) Hall of Fame at the association’s awards ceremony, held March 1 in Reno, NV. Wilson completed 24 of 25 50- to 55-mile competitions for a total of 1,775 miles in 2007, and has a total of 21,645 miles of endurance completions to date. He is also a trails advocate and a willing worker for preservation and building of trails.
The horse named to AERC’s Hall of Fame for 2007 was CH Catch Me If You Can, a 16-year-old Half-Arabian bay gelding owned by Earle Baxter. Catch Me, whose home is in Millbank, Ontario, travels with Baxter to rides throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 2007, they completed 735 miles in competitions from Michigan to New Mexico. Catch Me was also presented AERC’s “Perfect Ten” award, given to equines with 10,000 miles of competition and a minimum of 10 best condition awards and 10 first places.
Mike Tracy and Aron Moon+// of Hollister, CA, were presented with the Pard’ners Award, given to the horse-and-rider team that best exemplifies true partnership. At their first ride many years ago, Tracy came into the first veterinary checkpoint “looking like a chicken tied to the rotor of a helicopter,” according to award presenter Robert Ribley, although “Aron looked great.” Through 18 years of competition, the team grew into formidable competitors and fast friends whose partnership has been an inspiration to many.
The Volunteer Service award was presented to Jerry Fruth, who has been a tireless advocate of trails for the nonprofit organization for many years. Fruth, of Wadesville, IN, was instrumental in founding AERC’s Trail Master program, which trains people to build and maintain sustainable trails across the U.S.
AERC’s annual convention featured informational seminars, hands-on hoof labs, regional and national award ceremonies and an extensive trade show dedicated to endurance riding. Next year’s convention is set for February 20 and 21, 2009, in Louisville, KY.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
In it for the long haul - Mar 2 2008
Rapidcityjournal.com - Full Story
Endurance horse riders racing in the region
By Lynn Taylor Rick, Journal staff
Paschal Karl had never been on a horse when his wife bought him a quarter horse for his birthday 16 years ago.
It didn’t take Karl, an athletic guy with a competitive streak, long to raise the bar. Within a month, he bought himself an Arabian horse, a breed known for its endurance. A year after his introduction to horses, he was competing in endurance horse races around the country. “What I found is that I love to ride,” he said.
Today, Karl has logged more than 2,500 competition miles and more than 20,000 total miles on his endurance horses...
More...
Endurance horse riders racing in the region
By Lynn Taylor Rick, Journal staff
Paschal Karl had never been on a horse when his wife bought him a quarter horse for his birthday 16 years ago.
It didn’t take Karl, an athletic guy with a competitive streak, long to raise the bar. Within a month, he bought himself an Arabian horse, a breed known for its endurance. A year after his introduction to horses, he was competing in endurance horse races around the country. “What I found is that I love to ride,” he said.
Today, Karl has logged more than 2,500 competition miles and more than 20,000 total miles on his endurance horses...
More...
Remount stokes interest in endurance races - Mar 2 2008
Rapidcityjournal.com - Full Storyu
By Lynn Taylor Rick, Journal staff
Although the Black Hills Ride near Edgemont is currently on hiatus, local endurance horse racers can still count on the Fort Meade Remount.
Kerry Greear of Whitewood created the Fort Meade Remount last July, hosting more than 50 riders from seven states and Canada. She hopes to attract even more people to this year’s ride, which begins two miles east of Sturgis in the Fort Meade Recreational Area.
Greear got her first taste of endurance horse racing in 2004 when she was “looking for a new goal for myself.” A horseback rider all her life, she read a book about the 100-mile Tevis Cup through the Sierra Nevada Mounts in California and was hooked...
More...
By Lynn Taylor Rick, Journal staff
Although the Black Hills Ride near Edgemont is currently on hiatus, local endurance horse racers can still count on the Fort Meade Remount.
Kerry Greear of Whitewood created the Fort Meade Remount last July, hosting more than 50 riders from seven states and Canada. She hopes to attract even more people to this year’s ride, which begins two miles east of Sturgis in the Fort Meade Recreational Area.
Greear got her first taste of endurance horse racing in 2004 when she was “looking for a new goal for myself.” A horseback rider all her life, she read a book about the 100-mile Tevis Cup through the Sierra Nevada Mounts in California and was hooked...
More...
AERC Hall of Fame Inductees 2007
The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) award banquet was held March 1 in Reno Nevada. The prestigious 2007 Hall of Fame awards were presented to:
Bill Wilson - Hall of Fame Individual
CH Catch Me If You Can - Hall of Fame Horse (owned by Earl Baxter)
Additional awards went to:
Mike Tracy and Aron Moon Aron Moon+// - 2007 Pard'ners Award
Jerry Fruth - Volunteer Service Award
Earle Baxter & CH Catch Me If You Can - Perfect Ten Award
Bill Wilson - Hall of Fame Individual
CH Catch Me If You Can - Hall of Fame Horse (owned by Earl Baxter)
Additional awards went to:
Mike Tracy and Aron Moon Aron Moon+// - 2007 Pard'ners Award
Jerry Fruth - Volunteer Service Award
Earle Baxter & CH Catch Me If You Can - Perfect Ten Award
Thursday, February 28, 2008
FG reader in successful Andes charity trek - Feb 29 2008
Farmersguardian.com - Full Story
Farmer and FG reader, Lenice Bell, has survived a tough trek on horseback across Argentina and Chile on behalf of the Anthony Nolan Trust, raising £4,600 for the charity.
The trek, one of the trust’s Ultimate Challenges, meant up to 10 hours a day in the saddle for the 10 participants (pictured above). They made rough camp each night on the route, which ran from the mountains above Mendoza on the Argentine border to the western side of the Andes on the Chilean border.
Lenice said: “The whole experience was incredible – a true challenge. I’m a country person, but this was just wonderful – the wilderness was amazing.
“We saw so many wild flowers, condors, humming birds – the eagles flew so low you could see the yellow of their beaks and I’d never have thought I’d get a buzz out of seeing puma poo!
“We had fantastic people in our group – everyone really supported each other when we had our difficult times...
More...
Farmer and FG reader, Lenice Bell, has survived a tough trek on horseback across Argentina and Chile on behalf of the Anthony Nolan Trust, raising £4,600 for the charity.
The trek, one of the trust’s Ultimate Challenges, meant up to 10 hours a day in the saddle for the 10 participants (pictured above). They made rough camp each night on the route, which ran from the mountains above Mendoza on the Argentine border to the western side of the Andes on the Chilean border.
Lenice said: “The whole experience was incredible – a true challenge. I’m a country person, but this was just wonderful – the wilderness was amazing.
“We saw so many wild flowers, condors, humming birds – the eagles flew so low you could see the yellow of their beaks and I’d never have thought I’d get a buzz out of seeing puma poo!
“We had fantastic people in our group – everyone really supported each other when we had our difficult times...
More...
Canada: Hall of Fame award for Canadian endurance rider
Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Story
Endurance stalwart Nancy Beacon is the first recipient of Endurance Canada's Hall of Fame Award.
Beacon of Flesherton, Ontario, has contributed significantly to the development of the endurance sport, in both Ontario and Canada. Over the years she has spent considerable time mentoring up-and-coming riders, including allowing them to compete on her veteran horses to get started in the sport. Many of today's top riders owe their start in the sport to Beacon.
She was founding member of Canadian Long Distance Riders Association, has been a Lay Judge at many rides over the years, worked as a course designer for many rides, been the Trail Master for several Federation Equestre International (FEI) rides held in Ontario, and hosted the first Canadian FEI Endurance competition in 1989 in Ontario.
Beacon has also competed in many FEI rides during her career...
More...
Endurance stalwart Nancy Beacon is the first recipient of Endurance Canada's Hall of Fame Award.
Beacon of Flesherton, Ontario, has contributed significantly to the development of the endurance sport, in both Ontario and Canada. Over the years she has spent considerable time mentoring up-and-coming riders, including allowing them to compete on her veteran horses to get started in the sport. Many of today's top riders owe their start in the sport to Beacon.
She was founding member of Canadian Long Distance Riders Association, has been a Lay Judge at many rides over the years, worked as a course designer for many rides, been the Trail Master for several Federation Equestre International (FEI) rides held in Ontario, and hosted the first Canadian FEI Endurance competition in 1989 in Ontario.
Beacon has also competed in many FEI rides during her career...
More...
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
APEX 101 and 103 Clinics
A Partnership for Endurance Xcellence
May 16-18, 2008
Location to be determined, but western North Carolina likely
Attend if you want:
* To ‘learn from the best’
* To establish an individualized, goal-oriented program for conditioning and ongoing monitoring of your endurance program
* To have an individualized assessment of suitability, condition, shoeing, riding
* To learn how to adapt to imperfections!
Advance Your Endurance Performance by Joining Clinicians:
* John Crandell III, winner of 2006 “Triple Crown” (Tevis, Old Dominion [OD], AERC Championship), 5 time winner OD, 2007 AERC champion winner, 2007 Haggin Cup winner (Tevis Best Condition)
* Stagg Newman, winner of 20 100-Milers, 2006 Canadian Championship, 2 Team Golds
* Dr Ann Stuart, Vet for the US Endurance Team to the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG), Chef D’Équipe - USA East (gold)
* Jeff Pauley, farrier for the US endurance team to the 2006 WEG
* Lisa Maxwell, the “Zen Master” with horses and equitation instructor of champions
* Others to be announced
Who does what:
John Crandell – will help you develop achievable goals, assess your current and future training program
Stagg Newman – will provide ‘on mountain trail’ assessment, analyzing working and recovery pulse rates to examine your horse’s fitness level, and options for improvement
Dr Ann Stuart, DVM – will evaluate horse suitability and way of going (form, function, soundness), issues (if any) and makes suggestions to optimize performance
Jeff Pauley – will evaluate horse’s shoeing, suitability and way of going with respect to legs and feet, issues (if any) and makes suggestions for shoeing, particularly focused on upcoming competitions
Lisa Maxwell – will look at how you and your horse move together, making suggestions for balance, ‘things to work on’ to make endurance easier on both you and your horse.
Others -- to be announced.
Options for participation:
Horse and Rider: Full, individualized evaluation by all clinicians. Participate in lectures, in individualized or paired rotations with the clinicians, and in trail groups to practice and assess. Limited to 12 participants.
Auditors: Participate in lectures; associate with a horse-rider participant through the individualized sessions, listen, ask questions, learn. Limited to 12 participants.
APEX 101 Individual Sessions – with horse,
Dr Ann Stuart for veterinary (30 minutes per horse) and Mr Jeff Pauley for farrier (30 minutes per horse)
Ms Lisa Maxwell for equitation (60 minutes for 2 horses) and Mr John Crandell III for training program (30 minutes per horse)
Mr Stagg Newman for on-trail practice clinic (2 hours for trail with group of 4 horses)
APEX 103 Individual Sessions -- with horse,
depends on clinicians, to be determined.
Optional, at private treaty charges:
Bloodwork; digital X-Rays (instant feedback! + on CD to take with you) suggested by Dr Stuart
Re-shoeing suggested by Mr Pauley
Bring your own food. Coffee, tea, and potable water are available.
For fees, see www.apex-US.org
May 16-18, 2008
Location to be determined, but western North Carolina likely
Attend if you want:
* To ‘learn from the best’
* To establish an individualized, goal-oriented program for conditioning and ongoing monitoring of your endurance program
* To have an individualized assessment of suitability, condition, shoeing, riding
* To learn how to adapt to imperfections!
Advance Your Endurance Performance by Joining Clinicians:
* John Crandell III, winner of 2006 “Triple Crown” (Tevis, Old Dominion [OD], AERC Championship), 5 time winner OD, 2007 AERC champion winner, 2007 Haggin Cup winner (Tevis Best Condition)
* Stagg Newman, winner of 20 100-Milers, 2006 Canadian Championship, 2 Team Golds
* Dr Ann Stuart, Vet for the US Endurance Team to the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG), Chef D’Équipe - USA East (gold)
* Jeff Pauley, farrier for the US endurance team to the 2006 WEG
* Lisa Maxwell, the “Zen Master” with horses and equitation instructor of champions
* Others to be announced
Who does what:
John Crandell – will help you develop achievable goals, assess your current and future training program
Stagg Newman – will provide ‘on mountain trail’ assessment, analyzing working and recovery pulse rates to examine your horse’s fitness level, and options for improvement
Dr Ann Stuart, DVM – will evaluate horse suitability and way of going (form, function, soundness), issues (if any) and makes suggestions to optimize performance
Jeff Pauley – will evaluate horse’s shoeing, suitability and way of going with respect to legs and feet, issues (if any) and makes suggestions for shoeing, particularly focused on upcoming competitions
Lisa Maxwell – will look at how you and your horse move together, making suggestions for balance, ‘things to work on’ to make endurance easier on both you and your horse.
Others -- to be announced.
Options for participation:
Horse and Rider: Full, individualized evaluation by all clinicians. Participate in lectures, in individualized or paired rotations with the clinicians, and in trail groups to practice and assess. Limited to 12 participants.
Auditors: Participate in lectures; associate with a horse-rider participant through the individualized sessions, listen, ask questions, learn. Limited to 12 participants.
APEX 101 Individual Sessions – with horse,
Dr Ann Stuart for veterinary (30 minutes per horse) and Mr Jeff Pauley for farrier (30 minutes per horse)
Ms Lisa Maxwell for equitation (60 minutes for 2 horses) and Mr John Crandell III for training program (30 minutes per horse)
Mr Stagg Newman for on-trail practice clinic (2 hours for trail with group of 4 horses)
APEX 103 Individual Sessions -- with horse,
depends on clinicians, to be determined.
Optional, at private treaty charges:
Bloodwork; digital X-Rays (instant feedback! + on CD to take with you) suggested by Dr Stuart
Re-shoeing suggested by Mr Pauley
Bring your own food. Coffee, tea, and potable water are available.
For fees, see www.apex-US.org
Friday, February 22, 2008
Australian State Declared Free of Equine Influenza - Feb 14 2008
Thehorse.com - Full Story
Less than six months after the first horse was infected, all properties in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) have been declared free of equine influenza.
"I can say today that not one horse in NSW is now known to have equine influenza," said Ian Macdonald, NSW primary industries minister.
At the peak of outbreak, more than 41,000 horses were infected on more than 5,800 properties.
Macdonald said the government has spent more than $46 million containing the exotic disease, which escaped from a government quarantine center. More than 100,000 horses have since been vaccinated.
"Today is a tribute both to the people who have been directly engaged in the battle against (influenza) and the horse industries, and the thousands of horse owners across the state whose vigilance, discipline and cooperation have been critical to stopping the spread of the virus," Macdonald said.
The government's goal has been to totally eradicate equine influenza from NSW by mid-March.
"Extensive testing is on-going to ensure we have not missed any isolated pockets of disease and it is vital that horse owners remain vigilant, report any sick horses, and observe movement restrictions," Macdonald said.
As part of the influenza campaign the state government has:
* Vaccinated approximately 50,000 horses;
* Carried out over 100,000 tests at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute;
* Established more than 20 control and vaccination centers across NSW;
* Enlisted an influenza workforce of about 2,000;
* Implemented a successful zoning system to free up movements and allow breeding season to be undertaken and racing to resume.
Less than six months after the first horse was infected, all properties in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) have been declared free of equine influenza.
"I can say today that not one horse in NSW is now known to have equine influenza," said Ian Macdonald, NSW primary industries minister.
At the peak of outbreak, more than 41,000 horses were infected on more than 5,800 properties.
Macdonald said the government has spent more than $46 million containing the exotic disease, which escaped from a government quarantine center. More than 100,000 horses have since been vaccinated.
"Today is a tribute both to the people who have been directly engaged in the battle against (influenza) and the horse industries, and the thousands of horse owners across the state whose vigilance, discipline and cooperation have been critical to stopping the spread of the virus," Macdonald said.
The government's goal has been to totally eradicate equine influenza from NSW by mid-March.
"Extensive testing is on-going to ensure we have not missed any isolated pockets of disease and it is vital that horse owners remain vigilant, report any sick horses, and observe movement restrictions," Macdonald said.
As part of the influenza campaign the state government has:
* Vaccinated approximately 50,000 horses;
* Carried out over 100,000 tests at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute;
* Established more than 20 control and vaccination centers across NSW;
* Enlisted an influenza workforce of about 2,000;
* Implemented a successful zoning system to free up movements and allow breeding season to be undertaken and racing to resume.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Australia: Foreign interest shown in outback camel trek
Abc.net.au - Full Story
Posted Thu Feb 21, 2008
A 150 kilometre camel endurance race being planned in western Queensland is attracting international interest.
Arid Lands Australia will hold its inaugural festival in Hughenden in August and says it is about to issue an official invitation to the president of the United Arab Emirates to attend the event.
President Paddy McHugh says the race will offer $50,000 in prize money and he is confident people from across the globe will attend.
"Absolutely ... the United Arab Emirates will have at least two or three vets who will be part of the veterinary team," he said.
"Then we've got interest coming from Canada, America, New Zealand, Malaysia - there's little bits of bites - we've got some interest out of Saudi Arabia as well to come and view the race.
"You've got to remember with the camels over there, it is their lifestyle, their world and for us to do something like this over here, they pay a bit of attention to it I suppose."
Posted Thu Feb 21, 2008
A 150 kilometre camel endurance race being planned in western Queensland is attracting international interest.
Arid Lands Australia will hold its inaugural festival in Hughenden in August and says it is about to issue an official invitation to the president of the United Arab Emirates to attend the event.
President Paddy McHugh says the race will offer $50,000 in prize money and he is confident people from across the globe will attend.
"Absolutely ... the United Arab Emirates will have at least two or three vets who will be part of the veterinary team," he said.
"Then we've got interest coming from Canada, America, New Zealand, Malaysia - there's little bits of bites - we've got some interest out of Saudi Arabia as well to come and view the race.
"You've got to remember with the camels over there, it is their lifestyle, their world and for us to do something like this over here, they pay a bit of attention to it I suppose."
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Kooter
photo: Kooter and Suzie Hayes
I wanted to let you all know that my friend and one of the greatest
endurance horses ever passed away this morning. Kooter (Kootenai Zizzero,
AERC #5081) started his life with me in 1982 and we spent his entire time
together traveling all over the world, experiencing everything the endurance
world had to offer. He is now in a place where he can go as fast and as far
as he wants, running down the trails with many of the endurance greats that
have passed before him. I will miss seeing him in the pasture making all
the other horses and mules play with him, his exuberance when it came time
to feed, and his many tricks to try and angle a way to "go just a little bit
faster" when going down the trail. He was a once in a lifetime horse and I
feel very fortunate to have shared it with him.
Lest we all forget, his record in endurance was one that hasn't been seen
often and is a testament to his joy in doing a job he loved.
Career Miles 6340
Top 10 5290
1st place 28
Best Condition 35
100 mile completions 33
75 mile completions 14
15 consecutive years in endurance competition
National Champion AERC Best Condition 1990 (15 BC's)
National Champion AERC Co-winner 100 mile 1990
National Champion AHA Half Arabian Competitive Trail 1990
Best Condition Race of Champions 1991
Team Bronze 1991 North American Championships
Team Silver 1992 World Championships Barcelona, Spain
National Champion AHA Half Arabian 100 mile Endurance 1995
3rd on Tevis 1996 and 1997
AERC Partners Award 1997
"Don't cry for the horses that life has set free, they are ours as a gift,
but never to keep. Don't cry for the horses, they will be back someday, when
our time has come, they will show us the way".
Suzanne Hayes
NZ horses and riders in top endurance rankings
Horsetalk.co.nz
February 20
Top New Zealand-bred horse Dell Hama, who is currently equal second in the FEI's world endurance horse rankings.
Picture: Endurance.net
New Zealand horses and riders have featured prominently in the recently released 2008 FEI World Rankings.
The FEI has added two new categories to the rankings, the Open Horse and Junior/Young Rider Horse categories. Rankings include events up to 11 February.
In the Open Horse category, Dell Hama is equal second with fellow New Zealand-bred Rhan. Dell Hama won the 2008 Dubai World Challenge earlier this month, and Rhan was the victor in the South Island 160km championship last month.
Of the riders, New Zealand's Alison Higgins (11) is the sole non-UAE rider in the registered rider world ranking list, which is topped by Hamad Mohd Al Ahbabi.
In the Junior/Young Rider rankings, Kiwi Jaime Heywood is third equal. Vigar Shamah is ranked third in the junior/young rider horse rankings.
February 20
Top New Zealand-bred horse Dell Hama, who is currently equal second in the FEI's world endurance horse rankings.Picture: Endurance.net
New Zealand horses and riders have featured prominently in the recently released 2008 FEI World Rankings.
The FEI has added two new categories to the rankings, the Open Horse and Junior/Young Rider Horse categories. Rankings include events up to 11 February.
In the Open Horse category, Dell Hama is equal second with fellow New Zealand-bred Rhan. Dell Hama won the 2008 Dubai World Challenge earlier this month, and Rhan was the victor in the South Island 160km championship last month.
Of the riders, New Zealand's Alison Higgins (11) is the sole non-UAE rider in the registered rider world ranking list, which is topped by Hamad Mohd Al Ahbabi.
In the Junior/Young Rider rankings, Kiwi Jaime Heywood is third equal. Vigar Shamah is ranked third in the junior/young rider horse rankings.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Abu Dhabi: Al Hammadi creates history riding Sharqi in Special Ride - Feb 14 2008
Gulfnews.com - Full Story and Photos
Photo: Ravindranath/Gulf News.
Waleed Al Hammadi who finished first in the race is seen with his trophy .
By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: February 14, 2008, 20:55
Abu Dhabi: Fifteen-year-old Waleed Hassan Al Hammadi riding Sharqi created history when he became the first winner of an long-distance horse race for persons with special needs at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Thursday.
The long-distance ride, being held for the first time in the Middle East region, was held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and was organised by the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care, Special Needs and Minors' Affairs.
Overwhelmed
It certainly was a red-letter day in UAE sport when 13 youngsters proved that nothing can come in the way of their determined effort and in a pacey finish, Waleed finished ahead of Matar Al Rumaithy on Silverstar while Sultan Al Khaily on Hattaf was third.
But the biggest cheers were reserved for Sara Al Qubaisi, the only lady participant. Sara, riding Bosh, revealed exemplary courage as she trotted her horse to the finish line and Shaikh Mansour accompanied her on the final furlong, much to the delight of the large number of supporters and families of the riders.
Speaking to the media Shaikh Mansour said he was overwhelmed by the display of the riders. "This only goes to show that nothing is impossible. It was a great sight to see these riders display their enthusiasm and willingness to compete."
"The riders showed that if one works hard the desired results will come," said Shaikh Mansour, who had been solely responsible for the organisation of this unique event.
"Today's success has been very encouraging and this event will in future become an international ride," Shaikh Mansour said after distributing the trophies and medals to the riders.
Meanwhile the winning rider's father, Khalid Hassan Al Hammadi, was equally elated and posed proudly with the trophy that the eldest of his five children had just won. "I am here with my family and we just wanted to cheer and give our support to all the riders. With Waleed winning the ride it is a special moment and we never imagined that this day would come," said Khalid, who is an employee in the UAE defence.
Photo: Ravindranath/Gulf News.
Waleed Al Hammadi who finished first in the race is seen with his trophy .
By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: February 14, 2008, 20:55
Abu Dhabi: Fifteen-year-old Waleed Hassan Al Hammadi riding Sharqi created history when he became the first winner of an long-distance horse race for persons with special needs at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Thursday.
The long-distance ride, being held for the first time in the Middle East region, was held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and was organised by the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care, Special Needs and Minors' Affairs.
Overwhelmed
It certainly was a red-letter day in UAE sport when 13 youngsters proved that nothing can come in the way of their determined effort and in a pacey finish, Waleed finished ahead of Matar Al Rumaithy on Silverstar while Sultan Al Khaily on Hattaf was third.
But the biggest cheers were reserved for Sara Al Qubaisi, the only lady participant. Sara, riding Bosh, revealed exemplary courage as she trotted her horse to the finish line and Shaikh Mansour accompanied her on the final furlong, much to the delight of the large number of supporters and families of the riders.
Speaking to the media Shaikh Mansour said he was overwhelmed by the display of the riders. "This only goes to show that nothing is impossible. It was a great sight to see these riders display their enthusiasm and willingness to compete."
"The riders showed that if one works hard the desired results will come," said Shaikh Mansour, who had been solely responsible for the organisation of this unique event.
"Today's success has been very encouraging and this event will in future become an international ride," Shaikh Mansour said after distributing the trophies and medals to the riders.
Meanwhile the winning rider's father, Khalid Hassan Al Hammadi, was equally elated and posed proudly with the trophy that the eldest of his five children had just won. "I am here with my family and we just wanted to cheer and give our support to all the riders. With Waleed winning the ride it is a special moment and we never imagined that this day would come," said Khalid, who is an employee in the UAE defence.
Land of the Sun Ride another success - Feb 14 2008
Wickenburgsun.com - Full Story
The Land of the Sun Endurance Ride is a 25/50-mile ride that winds through the desert around Wickenburg, going through state, BLM and private property. This year’s ride was held on Saturday, Jan. 26.
There were 150 riders and their crews participating including two junior riders. Local residents Bob Lowe, Maureen and Lawrence Serrano, and Eileen McCollum rode this year. Bob Lowe came in third in the 50-mile ride and also finished with a best condition for his horse for the third year in a row...
More...
The Land of the Sun Endurance Ride is a 25/50-mile ride that winds through the desert around Wickenburg, going through state, BLM and private property. This year’s ride was held on Saturday, Jan. 26.
There were 150 riders and their crews participating including two junior riders. Local residents Bob Lowe, Maureen and Lawrence Serrano, and Eileen McCollum rode this year. Bob Lowe came in third in the 50-mile ride and also finished with a best condition for his horse for the third year in a row...
More...
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Fast Track 'Window' Extended to FEI Veterinarians - Feb 7 2008
www.fei.org
Following on from the successful Fast Track process for the *Rating of FEI Endurance Judges, the FEI introduced a similar process for the *Rating of FEI Endurance Veterinarians at the start of 2007.
By 31 December 2007 most FEI National Federations had registered their FEI Veterinarians using the *Rating Criteria as circulated by the NFs at the end of 2006.
In order to allow those Federations who have yet to submit their registrations an extension of time, the cut off date for using the FEI Veterinary Fast Track option will now close on 31 March 2008.
Thereafter, any FEI Endurance Veterinarian who wishes to become *Rated must follow the full criteria as defined.
As agreed, the use of *Rated Endurance Veterinarians at *Rated Endurance rides will remain voluntary throughout 2008. This will become compulsory starting January 2009.
Following on from the successful Fast Track process for the *Rating of FEI Endurance Judges, the FEI introduced a similar process for the *Rating of FEI Endurance Veterinarians at the start of 2007.
By 31 December 2007 most FEI National Federations had registered their FEI Veterinarians using the *Rating Criteria as circulated by the NFs at the end of 2006.
In order to allow those Federations who have yet to submit their registrations an extension of time, the cut off date for using the FEI Veterinary Fast Track option will now close on 31 March 2008.
Thereafter, any FEI Endurance Veterinarian who wishes to become *Rated must follow the full criteria as defined.
As agreed, the use of *Rated Endurance Veterinarians at *Rated Endurance rides will remain voluntary throughout 2008. This will become compulsory starting January 2009.
DA Al Capone+// Named 2007 Arabian Horse Association Distance Horse of the Year
USEF
Release: February 07 2008
By the Arabian Horse Association
The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) is proud to name DA Al Capone+// (Ebony Masterpiece x Rabaska) owned by Cheryl Van Deusen of New Smyrna Beach, FL, as its 2007 Distance Horse of the Year. “Alvin” is an 11-year-old purebred Arabian gelding that was chosen for his excellence in endurance. Alvin’s most recent accomplishment was his selection as one of four horses to represent the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Team at the European Endurance Championships in Portugal.
As the winner of the Distance Horse of the Year Award, DA Al Capone+//’s name will be engraved on a perpetual trophy donated by the Arabian Horse Owners Foundation and designed by Joe Staheli. Van Deusen will receive an engraved plaque.
“I bred Alvin, and he enjoyed life as a show horse earning Region 12 Top Five honors in AAOTR (Adult Amateur Owner to Ride) Hunter Pleasure and reserve championships in working hunter and jumper, but it was not until we found distance that he excelled,” said Van Deusen. “He now competes at FEI 100-mile level rides with his best 100-mile time at 9:01 hours. His best 50-mile ride was done in 3:56.”
It has been quite the road to success for Alvin. He has logged 4,000 competitive miles in both endurance and competitive trail (CTR), with outstanding performances in each discipline. He has approximately 2,500 endurance miles from 50- and 100-mile competitions.
This is not the first time Alvin has been recognized for his achievements. He finished Top Ten at the 2003 AHA National CTR, was grand champion at the Florida three-day 100-mile CTR, and collected two AHA reserve championships from Regions 12 and 8. Alvin racked up four Top Fives in Regions 12, 15 and 16 and, “wears his South East Distance Riding Association (SEDRA) High-Point Arabian cooler proudly,” said Van Deusen.
Alvin shines just as brightly in endurance events. He has won a total of nine best conditions in his career. For 2007 he is currently the number one horse in the Southeast American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) region and has won five of seven 50-mile rides. He earned a 2005 AHA National Top Ten and earned champion, reserve and multiple top five regional titles for 50- and 100-mile distances at regional rides.
Alvin is an excellent example of an Arabian distance horse that seems to have no limit. Congratulations to DA Al Capone+//.
For more information on AHA distance programs, visit www.Arabianhorses.org/Distance.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
PETA vs. Bin Laden: News Stranger Than Fiction
The Jurga Report - Full Story
February 5 2008
Two unlikely newsmakers share a story this week. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has spoken out against a proposed endurance horse race across North Africa that would replace this year's Paris-to-Dakar car race.
The famous off-road car race was canceled for security reasons, fearing terrorist intervention.
Enter Omar Osama bin Laden, the 26-year-old estranged son of Al Queda leader Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden the Younger has proposed a horse race to replace the car race, and is serving as spokesman and organizer, with his British wife. The race would cover 4800 km (roughly 3000 miles) and the horses would "race" 30 miles per day.
Bin Laden refers to the project in the international press as a "peace mission".
PETA calls it cruelty...
More...
Monday, February 04, 2008
An Owner and Her Stallion Go for Miles and Miles
Ramona Home Journal - original article
By Teri Merry
Blayne Chenoweth, owner of Rocking Horse Arabians in Ramona, is a special woman with a special stallion. She is not your typical ranch owner. Appearing to be all of five feet tall and weighing 90 pounds, she is tough as nails and has a heart bigger than she is.
Photo: Blayne Chenoweth and Corinthian relax after reining at the Ranch.
Chenoweth began rescuing animals at age 10. She has rescued dogs, cats, horses, birds and many other animals. She often nurses them to physical and social health, and then helps to find them suitable homes. Any income she earns from the stallions on her ranch goes towards supporting the rescue animals.
Chenoweth has been riding horses since she was four years old. She dislikes arena riding and has a passion to be out on a trail. When she learned about endurance riding, it seemed to be a perfect fit. She said that endurance riding is a way for her to relieve stress. Her profession is as an accountant; the balance in life for her is to be with the horses and the animals.
If you are not familiar with endurance riding, it is a demanding equestrian sport in which horses and their riders compete over a trail that is typically 50 to 100 miles long. Endurance riding has its roots in the training of cavalry horses, which were often required to travel long distances over highly varied and dangerous terrain. During an endurance ride, horse and rider follow a mapped trail which alerts the rider to hazardous trail conditions. The competition is timed, so riders must complete it as quickly as possible, with consideration that the strength and condition of the horse are also being judged. Competitors have 12 hours to complete a 50 mile ride, and 24 hours to complete 100 miles.
photo: Corinthian has a spectacular view from Rocking Horse Arabians Ranch.
Because of the physical demands of the race, the physical fitness of the horse (and rider) is extremely important. Horses are examined by a veterinarian at the start of the race and are periodically checked throughout the race. The veterinarian checks soundness/lameness, pulse, respiration and conducts other tests to make sure the horse is in good health and "fit to continue." If the veterinarian is in doubt about the condition of the horse, the horse is withdrawn from the competition to avoid the risk of injury. Chenoweth stays in shape for the races by doing power boxing, walking with her dogs and leading her horses for jogs on the trails.
After being in the saddle for hours, endurance riders cross the finish line. The winning horse is the horse completing the ride in the shortest time. Many endurance rides award prizes simply for completing the race. Additional awards are usually given to the best-conditioned horses who finish in the top 10.
Most recently Chenoweth has completed several successful endurance rides on her Arabian stallion, Corinthian DV. She prefers riding stallions because they teach her "how to live in the moment." Corinthian is a charismatic, black stallion who is an incredible athlete. She says all of his offspring inherit his athleticism and are great performace animals. He has a quiet disposition, beautiful head and neck, and is light and balanced.
When Chenoweth first got Corinthian four years ago, she said he was angry. Using her abilities to heal animals, they now have developed an incredible, loving bond. She says he takes care of her on the trail, and he would lay down his life for her. She never worries when riding him, and he has never let her down, no matter how difficult the trail conditions. She says he is always quiet, calm, and polite while camping and riding around all the other horses at competitions.
Chenoweth and Corinthian began their endurance career together in 2007. He won the 2007 American Endurance Ride Conference's coveted Jim Jones Stallion Award, a national award given to the stallion who has successfully completed the most competition miles for the year. What is even more incredible, is that he was only started under saddle three years ago as a 9-year-old after Chenoweth acquired him.
Just a brief description of their many endurance rides together includes 105 miles in February at the Eastern Mojave Endurance 3-day ride, 105 miles in March in New Mexico, and several hundred more miles in Utah during late Spring. Starting in September, they went to Bryce Canyon National park to ride 105 miles of trails along the rim of the Pink Cliffs. Chenoweth said these trails provide some of the most spectacular views of the Grand Canyon region in southern Utah. Only two weeks later, they went on to do 50 miles at the Tejon Ranch north of Los Angeles. It is an extremely difficult ride with lots of steep climbs.
In October, they went to one of the most incredible rides ever at The Grand Canyon Pioneer 5-Day Ride. At the north rim of the Grand Canyon, they experienced freezing temperatures and breathtaking scenery with brilliant golden aspen leaves falling as they trotted along the North Rim trails. They saw deer and a gray wolf crossing the trail. Chenoweth and Corinthian completed all five days and 250 miles, and also won the most coveted award given at a multi-day event. They won the Overall Best Condition Award, presented to the horse that completes all 250 miles and is judged by the head veterinarian to be the "most fit to continue." In November, Chenoweth and Corinthian finished the year by completing a 2-day, 100-mile ride in Moab, Utah riding through the Arches National Park.
Chenoweth travels with her best friend, Elfta Hilzman, who also successfully competes with her Arabian geldings. Many Ramona residents may know Hilzman as one of our local, successful farriers.
Corinthian DV (Wierz x Cosmopollytan by Bask) is a pure polish Arabian stallion who is 12 years old and 15 hands high. Chenoweth states that he is a proven sire of performance winners. If you are interested in inquiring about this stallion, or other stallions that she owns, she may be contacted at contact@rockinghorsearabians.com, or 858-759-6818. Great stories and information about Chenoweth, her horses and her rescues can be found on her website at www.rockinghorsearabians.com.
By Teri Merry
Blayne Chenoweth, owner of Rocking Horse Arabians in Ramona, is a special woman with a special stallion. She is not your typical ranch owner. Appearing to be all of five feet tall and weighing 90 pounds, she is tough as nails and has a heart bigger than she is.
Photo: Blayne Chenoweth and Corinthian relax after reining at the Ranch.Chenoweth began rescuing animals at age 10. She has rescued dogs, cats, horses, birds and many other animals. She often nurses them to physical and social health, and then helps to find them suitable homes. Any income she earns from the stallions on her ranch goes towards supporting the rescue animals.
Chenoweth has been riding horses since she was four years old. She dislikes arena riding and has a passion to be out on a trail. When she learned about endurance riding, it seemed to be a perfect fit. She said that endurance riding is a way for her to relieve stress. Her profession is as an accountant; the balance in life for her is to be with the horses and the animals.
If you are not familiar with endurance riding, it is a demanding equestrian sport in which horses and their riders compete over a trail that is typically 50 to 100 miles long. Endurance riding has its roots in the training of cavalry horses, which were often required to travel long distances over highly varied and dangerous terrain. During an endurance ride, horse and rider follow a mapped trail which alerts the rider to hazardous trail conditions. The competition is timed, so riders must complete it as quickly as possible, with consideration that the strength and condition of the horse are also being judged. Competitors have 12 hours to complete a 50 mile ride, and 24 hours to complete 100 miles.
photo: Corinthian has a spectacular view from Rocking Horse Arabians Ranch.Because of the physical demands of the race, the physical fitness of the horse (and rider) is extremely important. Horses are examined by a veterinarian at the start of the race and are periodically checked throughout the race. The veterinarian checks soundness/lameness, pulse, respiration and conducts other tests to make sure the horse is in good health and "fit to continue." If the veterinarian is in doubt about the condition of the horse, the horse is withdrawn from the competition to avoid the risk of injury. Chenoweth stays in shape for the races by doing power boxing, walking with her dogs and leading her horses for jogs on the trails.
After being in the saddle for hours, endurance riders cross the finish line. The winning horse is the horse completing the ride in the shortest time. Many endurance rides award prizes simply for completing the race. Additional awards are usually given to the best-conditioned horses who finish in the top 10.
Most recently Chenoweth has completed several successful endurance rides on her Arabian stallion, Corinthian DV. She prefers riding stallions because they teach her "how to live in the moment." Corinthian is a charismatic, black stallion who is an incredible athlete. She says all of his offspring inherit his athleticism and are great performace animals. He has a quiet disposition, beautiful head and neck, and is light and balanced.
When Chenoweth first got Corinthian four years ago, she said he was angry. Using her abilities to heal animals, they now have developed an incredible, loving bond. She says he takes care of her on the trail, and he would lay down his life for her. She never worries when riding him, and he has never let her down, no matter how difficult the trail conditions. She says he is always quiet, calm, and polite while camping and riding around all the other horses at competitions.
Chenoweth and Corinthian began their endurance career together in 2007. He won the 2007 American Endurance Ride Conference's coveted Jim Jones Stallion Award, a national award given to the stallion who has successfully completed the most competition miles for the year. What is even more incredible, is that he was only started under saddle three years ago as a 9-year-old after Chenoweth acquired him.
Just a brief description of their many endurance rides together includes 105 miles in February at the Eastern Mojave Endurance 3-day ride, 105 miles in March in New Mexico, and several hundred more miles in Utah during late Spring. Starting in September, they went to Bryce Canyon National park to ride 105 miles of trails along the rim of the Pink Cliffs. Chenoweth said these trails provide some of the most spectacular views of the Grand Canyon region in southern Utah. Only two weeks later, they went on to do 50 miles at the Tejon Ranch north of Los Angeles. It is an extremely difficult ride with lots of steep climbs.
In October, they went to one of the most incredible rides ever at The Grand Canyon Pioneer 5-Day Ride. At the north rim of the Grand Canyon, they experienced freezing temperatures and breathtaking scenery with brilliant golden aspen leaves falling as they trotted along the North Rim trails. They saw deer and a gray wolf crossing the trail. Chenoweth and Corinthian completed all five days and 250 miles, and also won the most coveted award given at a multi-day event. They won the Overall Best Condition Award, presented to the horse that completes all 250 miles and is judged by the head veterinarian to be the "most fit to continue." In November, Chenoweth and Corinthian finished the year by completing a 2-day, 100-mile ride in Moab, Utah riding through the Arches National Park.
Chenoweth travels with her best friend, Elfta Hilzman, who also successfully competes with her Arabian geldings. Many Ramona residents may know Hilzman as one of our local, successful farriers.
Corinthian DV (Wierz x Cosmopollytan by Bask) is a pure polish Arabian stallion who is 12 years old and 15 hands high. Chenoweth states that he is a proven sire of performance winners. If you are interested in inquiring about this stallion, or other stallions that she owns, she may be contacted at contact@rockinghorsearabians.com, or 858-759-6818. Great stories and information about Chenoweth, her horses and her rescues can be found on her website at www.rockinghorsearabians.com.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Endurance horse health focus of US convention
February 4, 2008
by Troy Smith
Leading experts in equine health care and endurance-related fields will make presentations at this year's American Endurance Ride Conference convention, in Nevada later this month.
The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) is the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. The 2008 annual convention takes place over two days in Reno, from February 29 to March 1.
The convention's theme is "Riding With Education". Other highlights include a trade show, and regional and national award prize-giving.
"Endurance riders emphasize the health and well-being of their horses. That is necessary for both beginning endurance riders and national champions in the sport," said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel. Friday's seminar speakers include Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, who will discuss practical uses for recent research; Dane Frazier, DVM, will give his seminar on "There Be Dragons in Those Hills," on being your horse's advocate and protector during competitions; and Rob Keene, DVM, who will discuss new concepts for pain management in the equine athlete. AERC's Education Committee will present "Moving on Up" for riders who would like to move up to longer distances.
Rallie McAllister, MD, will kick off the Saturday sessions with her "Riding for Life: A Guide to Lifetime Health and Fitness," which is based on her Riding for Life book. Dr. Frazier's Saturday session will be on avoiding mistakes at rides; Dr. Garlinghouse will discuss the 10 things riders can do better. An "ask the experts" panel will follow, with an open Q&A session with some of the top endurance riders from around the country.
by Troy Smith
Leading experts in equine health care and endurance-related fields will make presentations at this year's American Endurance Ride Conference convention, in Nevada later this month.
The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) is the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. The 2008 annual convention takes place over two days in Reno, from February 29 to March 1.
The convention's theme is "Riding With Education". Other highlights include a trade show, and regional and national award prize-giving.
"Endurance riders emphasize the health and well-being of their horses. That is necessary for both beginning endurance riders and national champions in the sport," said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel. Friday's seminar speakers include Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, who will discuss practical uses for recent research; Dane Frazier, DVM, will give his seminar on "There Be Dragons in Those Hills," on being your horse's advocate and protector during competitions; and Rob Keene, DVM, who will discuss new concepts for pain management in the equine athlete. AERC's Education Committee will present "Moving on Up" for riders who would like to move up to longer distances.
Rallie McAllister, MD, will kick off the Saturday sessions with her "Riding for Life: A Guide to Lifetime Health and Fitness," which is based on her Riding for Life book. Dr. Frazier's Saturday session will be on avoiding mistakes at rides; Dr. Garlinghouse will discuss the 10 things riders can do better. An "ask the experts" panel will follow, with an open Q&A session with some of the top endurance riders from around the country.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
American Endurance Ride Conference to Kick-Off in Reno
January 30
By Troy Smith
The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States, will hold its 2008 annual convention in Reno, NV. The two-day program of seminars, informational meetings and a free trade show is set for February 29-March 1 at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino.
Leading experts in equine health care and endurance-related fields will be featured at several seminar sessions as part of the convention’s “Riding With Education” theme. Other highlights of AERC's convention will include a trade show featuring vendors from across the country. Regional awards will be presented at an evening reception on February 29, and the convention will culminate with AERC's national awards the evening of March 1.
"Endurance riders emphasize the health and well-being of their horses. That is necessary for both beginning endurance riders and national champions in the sport,” said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel. "We invite people who are interested in learning more about endurance riding to come to convention, attend the seminars, and visit the trade show. They will get a wonderful education in the sport.”
Friday's seminar speakers include Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, who will discuss practical uses for recent research; Dane Frazier, DVM, will give his seminar on “There Be Dragons in Those Hills,” on being your horse’s advocate and protector during competitions; and Rob Keene, DVM, who will discuss new concepts for pain management in the equine athlete. AERC’s Education Committee will present “Moving on Up” for riders who would like to move up to longer distances.
Rallie McAllister, MD, will kick off the Saturday sessions with her “Riding for Life: A Guide to Lifetime Health and Fitness,” which is based on her “Riding for Life” book (which she will be selling and autographing at the convention as well). Dr. Frazier’s Saturday session will be on avoiding mistakes at rides; Dr. Garlinghouse will discuss the 10 things riders can do better. An “ask the experts” panel will follow, with an open Q&A session with some of the top endurance riders from around the country.
Seminar prices are $45 per day ($25 for each additional family member) if purchased before February 14; the prices go up $10 after the pre-registration period.
The trade show will be located in the Reno Events Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Vendors at the free trade show will display a variety of products for long-distance riders—everything from saddles to jewelry to horse trailers.
Also open to the public is the convention’s annual Friday night dance, which begins at 8 p.m. Tickets will be available at the convention for $10 per person.
Veterinarians can take part in the seven-credit continuing education program on Thursday, February 28 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the convention.
Convention registration can be made by phone to the AERC office at (866) 271-2372. A complete convention overview and reservation forms are available online at www.aerc.org. The reservation line for the Silver Legacy is (800) 687-8733.
For information about AERC's upcoming convention or membership in AERC, visit www.aerc.org or phone toll-free (866) 271-2372.
By Troy Smith
The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States, will hold its 2008 annual convention in Reno, NV. The two-day program of seminars, informational meetings and a free trade show is set for February 29-March 1 at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino.
Leading experts in equine health care and endurance-related fields will be featured at several seminar sessions as part of the convention’s “Riding With Education” theme. Other highlights of AERC's convention will include a trade show featuring vendors from across the country. Regional awards will be presented at an evening reception on February 29, and the convention will culminate with AERC's national awards the evening of March 1.
"Endurance riders emphasize the health and well-being of their horses. That is necessary for both beginning endurance riders and national champions in the sport,” said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel. "We invite people who are interested in learning more about endurance riding to come to convention, attend the seminars, and visit the trade show. They will get a wonderful education in the sport.”
Friday's seminar speakers include Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, who will discuss practical uses for recent research; Dane Frazier, DVM, will give his seminar on “There Be Dragons in Those Hills,” on being your horse’s advocate and protector during competitions; and Rob Keene, DVM, who will discuss new concepts for pain management in the equine athlete. AERC’s Education Committee will present “Moving on Up” for riders who would like to move up to longer distances.
Rallie McAllister, MD, will kick off the Saturday sessions with her “Riding for Life: A Guide to Lifetime Health and Fitness,” which is based on her “Riding for Life” book (which she will be selling and autographing at the convention as well). Dr. Frazier’s Saturday session will be on avoiding mistakes at rides; Dr. Garlinghouse will discuss the 10 things riders can do better. An “ask the experts” panel will follow, with an open Q&A session with some of the top endurance riders from around the country.
Seminar prices are $45 per day ($25 for each additional family member) if purchased before February 14; the prices go up $10 after the pre-registration period.
The trade show will be located in the Reno Events Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Vendors at the free trade show will display a variety of products for long-distance riders—everything from saddles to jewelry to horse trailers.
Also open to the public is the convention’s annual Friday night dance, which begins at 8 p.m. Tickets will be available at the convention for $10 per person.
Veterinarians can take part in the seven-credit continuing education program on Thursday, February 28 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the convention.
Convention registration can be made by phone to the AERC office at (866) 271-2372. A complete convention overview and reservation forms are available online at www.aerc.org. The reservation line for the Silver Legacy is (800) 687-8733.
For information about AERC's upcoming convention or membership in AERC, visit www.aerc.org or phone toll-free (866) 271-2372.
AERC Convention:USEF Awards and Committee Meetings
USEF Awards and Committee Meetings at the AERC Convention
For the first Time the USEF will present awards for Endurance at the AERC Awards Banquet Saturday Evening in addition to awards and recognition at the Regional Awards on Friday evening.
Schedule of International Events for the American Endurance Ride Conference Convention at the Silver legacy Hotel in Reno, Nevada on Feb 28-March 2, 2008:
pdf file: Schedule of International Events
For more information regarding the AERC Convention, go to the AERC website www.AERC.org.
The United States Equestrian Federation
For the first Time the USEF will present awards for Endurance at the AERC Awards Banquet Saturday Evening in addition to awards and recognition at the Regional Awards on Friday evening.
Schedule of International Events for the American Endurance Ride Conference Convention at the Silver legacy Hotel in Reno, Nevada on Feb 28-March 2, 2008:
pdf file: Schedule of International Events
For more information regarding the AERC Convention, go to the AERC website www.AERC.org.
The United States Equestrian Federation
Sunday, January 20, 2008
USEF National Training List for Endurance
USEF Announces the Endurance Training List for 2008
The USEF National Training List for Endurance has been established. Competitors earned points over the past year at pre-determined Ranking Trials. Points were earned by the rider, regardless of mount. The Riders' two best performances were used to Rank the riders. The top 25 Riders comprise the National Training List. In addition, the Top 3 members of the winning FEI Team at the ZTEC Event are named to the List, and the Chef d' Equipe may name Wild Cards not to exceed the maximum number of 35 National Training List Riders.
More - and Full Listing
The USEF National Training List for Endurance has been established. Competitors earned points over the past year at pre-determined Ranking Trials. Points were earned by the rider, regardless of mount. The Riders' two best performances were used to Rank the riders. The top 25 Riders comprise the National Training List. In addition, the Top 3 members of the winning FEI Team at the ZTEC Event are named to the List, and the Chef d' Equipe may name Wild Cards not to exceed the maximum number of 35 National Training List Riders.
More - and Full Listing
Friday, January 18, 2008
Two Canadian Riders Opt Out of Olympics - Jan 18 2008
Thehorse.com - Full story
by: Christa Lesté-Lasserre
January 12 2008, Article # 11156
Three top dressage riders--one from Switzerland and two from Canada—have renounced their participation in the 2008 summer Olympics in China, citing potential equine health hazards posed by extreme climate and travel conditions.
Canadian riders Cindy Ishoy and Ashley Nicoll-Holzer, members of the 1988 bronze-winning team in Seoul, announced their withdrawal from the Hong Kong-based events late Thursday, according to Canada's Globe and Mail, two days after Swiss rider Silvia Iklé announced that she would not participate in the games in order to protect the health of her horses, Salieri CH and Romario.
"It was with great difficulty that I came to this decision …
More...
by: Christa Lesté-Lasserre
January 12 2008, Article # 11156
Three top dressage riders--one from Switzerland and two from Canada—have renounced their participation in the 2008 summer Olympics in China, citing potential equine health hazards posed by extreme climate and travel conditions.
Canadian riders Cindy Ishoy and Ashley Nicoll-Holzer, members of the 1988 bronze-winning team in Seoul, announced their withdrawal from the Hong Kong-based events late Thursday, according to Canada's Globe and Mail, two days after Swiss rider Silvia Iklé announced that she would not participate in the games in order to protect the health of her horses, Salieri CH and Romario.
"It was with great difficulty that I came to this decision …
More...
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Bin Laden Son Wants to Be Peace Activist - Jan 17 2008
APGoogle.com
By PAUL SCHEMM
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Omar Osama bin Laden bears a striking resemblance to his notorious father - except for the dreadlocks that dangle halfway down his back. Then there's the black leather biker jacket.
The 26-year-old does not renounce his father, al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, but in an interview with The Associated Press, he said there is better way to defend Islam than militancy: Omar wants to be an "ambassador for peace" between Muslims and the West.
Omar - one of bin Laden's 19 children - raised a tabloid storm last year when he married a 52-year-old British woman, Jane Felix-Browne, who took the name Zaina Alsabah. Now the couple say they want to be advocates, planning a 3,000-mile horse race across North Africa to draw attention to the cause of peace.
"It's about changing the ideas of the Western mind. A lot of people think Arabs - especially the bin Ladens, especially the sons of Osama - are all terrorists. This is not the truth," Omar told the AP last week at a cafe in a Cairo shopping mall.
Of course, many may have a hard time getting their mind around the idea of "bin Laden: peacenik."
"Omar thinks he can be a negotiator," said Alsabah, who is trying to bring her husband to Britain. "He's one of the only people who can do this in the world."
Omar lived with the al-Qaida leader in Sudan, then moved with him to Afghanistan in 1996.
There, Omar says he trained at an al-Qaida camp but in 2000 he decided there must be another way and he left his father, returning to his homeland of Saudi Arabia.
"I don't want to be in that situation to just fight. I like to find another way and this other way may be like we do now, talking," he said in English.
He suggested his father did not oppose his leaving - and Alsabah interjected that Omar was courageous in breaking away, but neither elaborated.
Although there is no way to confirm the details he describes of his childhood and upbringing, the strong family resemblance and Omar's knowledge of Osama's family life have convinced many that he is bin Laden's son.
U.S. and Egyptian intelligence officials have not commented on his identity, but Omar and his wife insist they have not been bothered by Egyptian officials.
Omar said he hasn't seen or been in contact with his father since leaving Afghanistan. "He doesn't have e-mail," Omar said. "He doesn't take a telephone ... if he had something like this, they will find him through satellites."
Omar doesn't criticize his father and says Osama bin Laden is just trying to defend the Islamic world.
"My father thinks he will be good for defending the Arab people and stop anyone from hurting the Arab or Muslim people any place in the world," he said, noting that the West didn't have a problem with his father when he was fighting the Russians in Afghanistan in the 1980s.
Omar is convinced a truce between the West and al-Qaida is possible.
"My father is asking for a truce but I don't think there is any government (that) respects him. At the same time they do not respect him, why everywhere in the world, they want to fight him? There is a contradiction," he said.
Osama bin Laden, believed to be in hiding in the Pakistan-Afghan border region, offered a truce to Europe in a 2004 audiotape and a conditional truce to the United States in a 2006 message. In November, he called on European nations to pull out of Afghanistan in a message seen by some experts as an effort to reach out to Europe.
But in a series of messages since last fall, he also has been calling for Muslims to rally around jihad, or "holy war," encouraging fighters in Iraq in particular to continue their battles with U.S. and Iraqi forces.
At least two of Osama bin Laden's sons, Hamza and Saad, are believed to have an active role in al-Qaida - with Hamza believed to be in the Pakistan-Afghan border zone and Saad thought to be in Iran, perhaps in Iranian custody.
But most of the al-Qaida leader's children, like Omar, live as legitimate businessmen. The family as a whole disowned Osama in 1994 when Saudi Arabia stripped him of his citizenship because of his militant activities.
The family is wealthy: Osama bin Laden's billionaire father Mohammed, who died in 1967, had more than 50 children and founded the Binladen Group, a construction conglomerate that gets many major building contracts in the kingdom.
Since leaving his father's side, Omar has lived in Saudi Arabia, where he runs a contracting company connected with the Binladen Group, but he spends much of his time in Egypt. It was during a desert horseback ride at the Pyramids of Giza that he met his wife.
Their marriage in April made them tabloid fodder, particularly in Britain, where headlines touted the "granny who married Osama bin Laden's son." Alsabah, who has married five times, has five grandchildren.
The couple has applied for a visa to Britain. And they are planning their endurance horse race across North Africa, which they hope to start in March. It is in the planning stages — they are seeking approval of governments along the route and need sponsors to help pay for the event and raise money for child victims of war.
Omar said they plan to ride 30 miles a day, with periodic weeklong rests in each country.
Teams from around the world will be encouraged to join in what the couple envisions as an equine version of the Paris-Dakar car rally. That rally was canceled this year due to fears over terrorist threats made by al-Qaida-affiliated groups in North Africa.
Omar, however, said he isn't worried.
"I heard the rally was stopped because of al-Qaida," he said. "I don't think they are going to stop me."
Full story
By PAUL SCHEMM
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Omar Osama bin Laden bears a striking resemblance to his notorious father - except for the dreadlocks that dangle halfway down his back. Then there's the black leather biker jacket.
The 26-year-old does not renounce his father, al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, but in an interview with The Associated Press, he said there is better way to defend Islam than militancy: Omar wants to be an "ambassador for peace" between Muslims and the West.
Omar - one of bin Laden's 19 children - raised a tabloid storm last year when he married a 52-year-old British woman, Jane Felix-Browne, who took the name Zaina Alsabah. Now the couple say they want to be advocates, planning a 3,000-mile horse race across North Africa to draw attention to the cause of peace.
"It's about changing the ideas of the Western mind. A lot of people think Arabs - especially the bin Ladens, especially the sons of Osama - are all terrorists. This is not the truth," Omar told the AP last week at a cafe in a Cairo shopping mall.
Of course, many may have a hard time getting their mind around the idea of "bin Laden: peacenik."
"Omar thinks he can be a negotiator," said Alsabah, who is trying to bring her husband to Britain. "He's one of the only people who can do this in the world."
Omar lived with the al-Qaida leader in Sudan, then moved with him to Afghanistan in 1996.
There, Omar says he trained at an al-Qaida camp but in 2000 he decided there must be another way and he left his father, returning to his homeland of Saudi Arabia.
"I don't want to be in that situation to just fight. I like to find another way and this other way may be like we do now, talking," he said in English.
He suggested his father did not oppose his leaving - and Alsabah interjected that Omar was courageous in breaking away, but neither elaborated.
Although there is no way to confirm the details he describes of his childhood and upbringing, the strong family resemblance and Omar's knowledge of Osama's family life have convinced many that he is bin Laden's son.
U.S. and Egyptian intelligence officials have not commented on his identity, but Omar and his wife insist they have not been bothered by Egyptian officials.
Omar said he hasn't seen or been in contact with his father since leaving Afghanistan. "He doesn't have e-mail," Omar said. "He doesn't take a telephone ... if he had something like this, they will find him through satellites."
Omar doesn't criticize his father and says Osama bin Laden is just trying to defend the Islamic world.
"My father thinks he will be good for defending the Arab people and stop anyone from hurting the Arab or Muslim people any place in the world," he said, noting that the West didn't have a problem with his father when he was fighting the Russians in Afghanistan in the 1980s.
Omar is convinced a truce between the West and al-Qaida is possible.
"My father is asking for a truce but I don't think there is any government (that) respects him. At the same time they do not respect him, why everywhere in the world, they want to fight him? There is a contradiction," he said.
Osama bin Laden, believed to be in hiding in the Pakistan-Afghan border region, offered a truce to Europe in a 2004 audiotape and a conditional truce to the United States in a 2006 message. In November, he called on European nations to pull out of Afghanistan in a message seen by some experts as an effort to reach out to Europe.
But in a series of messages since last fall, he also has been calling for Muslims to rally around jihad, or "holy war," encouraging fighters in Iraq in particular to continue their battles with U.S. and Iraqi forces.
At least two of Osama bin Laden's sons, Hamza and Saad, are believed to have an active role in al-Qaida - with Hamza believed to be in the Pakistan-Afghan border zone and Saad thought to be in Iran, perhaps in Iranian custody.
But most of the al-Qaida leader's children, like Omar, live as legitimate businessmen. The family as a whole disowned Osama in 1994 when Saudi Arabia stripped him of his citizenship because of his militant activities.
The family is wealthy: Osama bin Laden's billionaire father Mohammed, who died in 1967, had more than 50 children and founded the Binladen Group, a construction conglomerate that gets many major building contracts in the kingdom.
Since leaving his father's side, Omar has lived in Saudi Arabia, where he runs a contracting company connected with the Binladen Group, but he spends much of his time in Egypt. It was during a desert horseback ride at the Pyramids of Giza that he met his wife.
Their marriage in April made them tabloid fodder, particularly in Britain, where headlines touted the "granny who married Osama bin Laden's son." Alsabah, who has married five times, has five grandchildren.
The couple has applied for a visa to Britain. And they are planning their endurance horse race across North Africa, which they hope to start in March. It is in the planning stages — they are seeking approval of governments along the route and need sponsors to help pay for the event and raise money for child victims of war.
Omar said they plan to ride 30 miles a day, with periodic weeklong rests in each country.
Teams from around the world will be encouraged to join in what the couple envisions as an equine version of the Paris-Dakar car rally. That rally was canceled this year due to fears over terrorist threats made by al-Qaida-affiliated groups in North Africa.
Omar, however, said he isn't worried.
"I heard the rally was stopped because of al-Qaida," he said. "I don't think they are going to stop me."
Full story
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
2008 USEF Pegasus Awards Gala
USEventing.com - Full story
Louisville, KY - It was a night for celebration and standing ovations during the much-anticipated Pegasus Awards where the equestrian world's brightest stars gathered to be honored and celebrate achievements from 2007, as well as a lifetime.
In addition to a Lifetime Achievement Award, Equestrian of the Year, and USEF Equestrians of Honor titles, the Junior Equestrian of the Year Award was awarded to endurance rider Kirsten Kimbler:
"Always one of the highlights from the evening is the awarding of the Junior Equestrian of the Year Award and the Ruth O'Keefe Meredith Memorial Trophy. South Dakota's Kirsten Kimbler, an 18-year-old endurance and Arabian rider also took the Youth Sportsman's Award. Her impressive, energetic and heartfelt address charmed the packed ballroom."
Full story and awards
Louisville, KY - It was a night for celebration and standing ovations during the much-anticipated Pegasus Awards where the equestrian world's brightest stars gathered to be honored and celebrate achievements from 2007, as well as a lifetime.
In addition to a Lifetime Achievement Award, Equestrian of the Year, and USEF Equestrians of Honor titles, the Junior Equestrian of the Year Award was awarded to endurance rider Kirsten Kimbler:
"Always one of the highlights from the evening is the awarding of the Junior Equestrian of the Year Award and the Ruth O'Keefe Meredith Memorial Trophy. South Dakota's Kirsten Kimbler, an 18-year-old endurance and Arabian rider also took the Youth Sportsman's Award. Her impressive, energetic and heartfelt address charmed the packed ballroom."
Full story and awards
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
USEF: 2008 National Training List Announced
USEF Announces the Endurance Training List for 2008
The First-Ever US National Training List for Endurance has been established. Competitors earned points over the past year at pre-determined Ranking Trials. Points were earned by the rider, regardless of mount. The Riders’ two best performances were used to Rank the riders. The top 25 Riders comprise the National Training List. In addition, the Top 3 members of the winning FEI Team at the ZTEC Event are named to the List, and the Chef d’ Equipe may name Wild Cards not to exceed the maximum number of 35 National Training List Riders. The riders must now declare a horse or horses to participate in the Training Program in preparation for future events. The riders and their chosen horses will attend Training Sessions to prepare for the 2008 Endurance World Championship in Terranganu, Malaysia in November and for other future competitions. The list is updated on a regular basis, and riders may be added, or may drop from the list by virtue of performances at 2008 Trials. All Riders who are on the National Training List at any time during a competition’s application period are eligible to apply to compete at the competition.
The Endurance National Training List as of December 1, 2007
|
|
Friday, January 11, 2008
Olympic Organizers Confident Hong Kong Weather will not Endanger Horses - Jan 10 2008
Thehorse.com - Full story
by: The Associated Press
January 10 2008, Article # 11140
Olympic organizers do not expect other equestrian teams to follow the lead of Switzerland by pulling out of events at this year's Games due to Hong Kong's heat and humidity.
The Swiss team said Wednesday that it would not take part in the dressage event in Hong Kong because top rider Silvia Ikle was concerned about the stress of the weather and travel on her horse.
"We haven't been officially notified by the Swiss team, but we will respect their decision," Christopher Yip, media manager of the Equestrian Company, the body overseeing the Games' equestrian events said Thursday.
"We don't expect to see any other teams pulling out."
Hong Kong, which has a well-established racing circuit, was chosen to host the equestrian events at this year's Olympics...
More...
Thursday, January 03, 2008
APEX Clinic coming to Canada in 2008
Excellence in Endurance - APEX clinic in CANADA!!
A Partnership in Endurance Xcellence©
Seaway Valley Arabian Horse Association (SVAHA) is pleased and excited to present an APEX team clinic (www.apex-us.org) for the first time in Canada.
Have you thought about distance riding and asked yourself,
Can my horse and I do the distance?
Are you already competing in distance riding and wondered,
Am I doing the right things in my training program?
Did I make the right choices during a competition?
How can my horse and I ‘peak’ at just the right time?
Are you a pit crew and want to learn more about how to help your team?
Are you a veterinarian or lay judge and want to learn more about what to watch for during endurance competition or training?
Then this clinic is FOR YOU!
http://www.octra.on.ca/forum/index.php/topic,2165.msg10681.html#msg10681
...More info, contact
A Partnership in Endurance Xcellence©
Seaway Valley Arabian Horse Association (SVAHA) is pleased and excited to present an APEX team clinic (www.apex-us.org) for the first time in Canada.
Have you thought about distance riding and asked yourself,
Can my horse and I do the distance?
Are you already competing in distance riding and wondered,
Am I doing the right things in my training program?
Did I make the right choices during a competition?
How can my horse and I ‘peak’ at just the right time?
Are you a pit crew and want to learn more about how to help your team?
Are you a veterinarian or lay judge and want to learn more about what to watch for during endurance competition or training?
Then this clinic is FOR YOU!
http://www.octra.on.ca/forum/index.php/topic,2165.msg10681.html#msg10681
...More info, contact
Australia: Happy Trails Again - Jan 3 2008
Travel and movement restrictions on horses in some areas of Australia affected by equine flu are starting to ease. By the end of this month, some riders will be able to leave their properties to ride, and by March or April, begin participating in local competitions again.
News.com.au has the Full Story
News.com.au has the Full Story
Monday, December 31, 2007
Arabian Horse Association Now Included in World Registries
Purebredarabiantrust.net
DENVER, CO - After nearly a decade of negotiations, an agreement has been made between the Purebred Arabian Trust (representing the Arabian Horse Association’s 100-year old purebred Arabian horse registry) and the World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO) that grants the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) Registry exclusive authority over American registrations as recognized by WAHO. This status change is effective January 01, 2008, and returns all associated responsibilities from the Purebred Arabian Horse Registry (PAHR) to the AHA Registry.
"We are delighted in the success of this agreement," said Bob Fauls, Chairman of the Purebred Arabian Trust (PAT), "and believe this to be a momentous occasion promising a bright future of significant benefit to the Arabian horse community."
While this changes nothing relating to domestic registration procedures for AHA members, it does affect registration activity requiring WAHO involvement - namely certain international importation and exportation procedures of purebred Arabian horses and semen. Beginning January 01, 2008, the PAT in conjunction with the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) will be the only registering authority in the United States recognized by WAHO.
In order to facilitate PAT’s admission to WAHO membership, PAHR has agreed it will cease its activities December 31, 2007 and refer new and pending transactions to AHA. Since the WAHO membership of the AHA Registry’s predecessor, the Arabian Horse Registry of America, was terminated in 1997, PAHR has provided to the American Arabian horse community a venue for international Arabian horse transactions, importations and exportations.
A major consideration in achieving this agreement with WAHO is the fact that the Studbooks have been closed and the purebred Arabian database is now firmly established and defined. Hans Nagel, president of WAHO, said From now on, the world-wide Arabian horse breed is an exclusive and closed population and will be guarded as such.
More information will be forthcoming, including but not limited to the next AHA President’s Letter, Modern Arabian Horse magazine, and http://www.purebredarabiantrust.com/
DENVER, CO - After nearly a decade of negotiations, an agreement has been made between the Purebred Arabian Trust (representing the Arabian Horse Association’s 100-year old purebred Arabian horse registry) and the World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO) that grants the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) Registry exclusive authority over American registrations as recognized by WAHO. This status change is effective January 01, 2008, and returns all associated responsibilities from the Purebred Arabian Horse Registry (PAHR) to the AHA Registry.
"We are delighted in the success of this agreement," said Bob Fauls, Chairman of the Purebred Arabian Trust (PAT), "and believe this to be a momentous occasion promising a bright future of significant benefit to the Arabian horse community."
While this changes nothing relating to domestic registration procedures for AHA members, it does affect registration activity requiring WAHO involvement - namely certain international importation and exportation procedures of purebred Arabian horses and semen. Beginning January 01, 2008, the PAT in conjunction with the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) will be the only registering authority in the United States recognized by WAHO.
In order to facilitate PAT’s admission to WAHO membership, PAHR has agreed it will cease its activities December 31, 2007 and refer new and pending transactions to AHA. Since the WAHO membership of the AHA Registry’s predecessor, the Arabian Horse Registry of America, was terminated in 1997, PAHR has provided to the American Arabian horse community a venue for international Arabian horse transactions, importations and exportations.
A major consideration in achieving this agreement with WAHO is the fact that the Studbooks have been closed and the purebred Arabian database is now firmly established and defined. Hans Nagel, president of WAHO, said From now on, the world-wide Arabian horse breed is an exclusive and closed population and will be guarded as such.
More information will be forthcoming, including but not limited to the next AHA President’s Letter, Modern Arabian Horse magazine, and http://www.purebredarabiantrust.com/
Saturday, December 22, 2007
About Birthdays and Riding and Getting Older
Hi Bob,
I don't think we've ever had a personal conversation, but I certainly always admire and respect your comments out there in the world of endurance.
A few years ago, a lovely lady named Connie Reeves came to ride on one of my week-long Redwood Coast Riding Vacations. Connie was 97 years old at the time. She was bringing with her 9 of her former riding students, who ranged from 47-72 years of age. I figured Connie would get on a horse, have her picture taken, and sit in a rocking chair for the rest of the week. WRONG!
Connie rode every step of the way, up hills and down mountains, walking, trotting and cantering. She'd never worn a riding helmet in her life, but in deference to me, she did that week... except for photos. At the end of the second day, she said "Tezero's Glory is a lovely little Arabian, Lari.... But I'm used to an Arab with a little more SPIRIT!!" So I put her on Chardonney, a Tevis horse who had completed the Kansas World Cup Endurance Race with his leaser from South Africa. Yeah, she and Chardy were a team! And Connie was the life of the party around the dinner table each night, in her fringed shirts, high-heeled knee-high red cowboy boots and lipstick to match.
You may have read about Connie... she was the first woman to be inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame. She hit the dirt for the last time when she was 101, pushing cattle when her horse boogered and bucked her off.
Before meeting Connie, I used to think of myself riding seriously until about my 8th decade. Now, at age 62, I'm thinking that the colt I'm breaking this spring will probably die before I'm done competing!
Ciao,
Lari
I don't think we've ever had a personal conversation, but I certainly always admire and respect your comments out there in the world of endurance.
A few years ago, a lovely lady named Connie Reeves came to ride on one of my week-long Redwood Coast Riding Vacations. Connie was 97 years old at the time. She was bringing with her 9 of her former riding students, who ranged from 47-72 years of age. I figured Connie would get on a horse, have her picture taken, and sit in a rocking chair for the rest of the week. WRONG!
Connie rode every step of the way, up hills and down mountains, walking, trotting and cantering. She'd never worn a riding helmet in her life, but in deference to me, she did that week... except for photos. At the end of the second day, she said "Tezero's Glory is a lovely little Arabian, Lari.... But I'm used to an Arab with a little more SPIRIT!!" So I put her on Chardonney, a Tevis horse who had completed the Kansas World Cup Endurance Race with his leaser from South Africa. Yeah, she and Chardy were a team! And Connie was the life of the party around the dinner table each night, in her fringed shirts, high-heeled knee-high red cowboy boots and lipstick to match.
You may have read about Connie... she was the first woman to be inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame. She hit the dirt for the last time when she was 101, pushing cattle when her horse boogered and bucked her off.
Before meeting Connie, I used to think of myself riding seriously until about my 8th decade. Now, at age 62, I'm thinking that the colt I'm breaking this spring will probably die before I'm done competing!
Ciao,
Lari
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Laramie horse, rider celebrate 1,000 miles of endurance riding
Billings Gazette.com article
By The Associated Press
LARAMIE - It's an unlikely story of a 25-year-old mare and her 62-year-old rider competing on the endurance ride circuit.
Over a seven-year span, the duo, starting at age 18 and 54 respectively, completed more than 1,000 miles. The horse is now semiretired.
Bonnie Swiatek said she wanted to compete in the endurance rides because her husband Don had been competing. She went on a couple of non-sanctioned rides in the mid 1990s with a Tennessee Walker mare called Gleam.
In 1997, Swiatek decided to give the endurance riding a real go and began looking for the right horse. She said she had seen the trouble her husband had with his Tennessee Walker in the heat, so she began looking for an Arabian because they are thinner skinned, handle the heat better and are bred for long-distance riding.
She found a 16-year-old chestnut Arabian mare named Tala. Tala was trained at the age of 16 and 17 and the two competed for the first time in June 1999.
Swiatek admits she didn't really know what she was doing and started Tala out too fast on her first ride. She said when Tala stumbled she decided to pull the horse. Family commitments kept Swiatek and Tala off the circuit for the rest of 1999 and 2000.
Both were wiser and better conditioned in 2001 when the 1,000-mile journey began riding 41 American Endurance Ride Conference sanctioned races over seven years.
During the 2001 season, Swiatek and Tala completed 110 miles together, with a best finish of third, never finishing out of the top 10. The two had shortened seasons in 2002 and 2004, riding only 25 and 60 miles respectively.
They rode 130 miles together in 2003.
Swiatek said the two have learned a lot about endurance rides. Swiatek learned that it's a lot more technical than she realized. She said it is important to keep yourself and your horse as hydrated as possible before, during and after the ride.
She said she prepares by drinking V-8 a few days before the ride including the night before, the morning of, during the race and right after.
This season, Tala was fed a special senior feed and sugar beet pulp, Swiatek said. Swiatek also learned to wear appropriate clothing for the heat, taking tips from bicyclists and avoiding cotton, while Tala learned how to read the ribbons, usually bright orange or pink, which mark the trail.
"It's like having four eyes out there on the trail. She's an amazing old horse," Swiatek said.
The big push Swiatek said she and Tala made the big push these past three years in endurance rides, but she never expected to reach 1,000 miles when she started out in 1999.
She said when she first bought Tala she figured she would start riding with her and then look for a younger mare. Swiatek said she prefers mares because she's had nothing but trouble with geldings.
In 2005, Swiatek and Tala competed in nine rides covering 250 miles; the first time the duo topped 200 miles.
The duo competed in eight rides for 210 miles in 2006. Swiatek said she only competes in limited distance rides (25 to 30 miles) with Tala. The longest season was this year when the two competed in 10 rides covering 270 miles for a total of 1,055 miles.
Swiatek said they rode mainly for "completion" and not for place. She added that the motto for the AERC is "to finish is to win."
The 1,000-mile milestone came in August at the Colorado Horse Park Challenge. The duo rode 25 miles to put them at 1,005 miles that day. They finished in 13th place, completing the ride in three hours and 29 minutes.
Swiatek said an average ride for limited distance is four to 4 hours. Riders have six hours to complete the ride. The horse and rider have finished a few rides in 2 hours.
On Sept. 2, 2006, at the Colorado Horse Park Challenge, the duo finished in first place in 2 hours, 33 minutes. Tala was also honored as the best conditioned horse. The mare also won best conditioned in 2005 at the Black Hills I & II ride where Swiatek and Tala finished third. To finish first was an amazing feat, Swiatek said, because she and Tala are competing against much younger horses and riders.
To be honored as best conditioned twice in her career is also amazing, Swiatek said, since most horses are retiring at age 18, the same age Tala was when she started.
"She loves it. Obviously she was bred for it," Swiatek said.
Swiatek said that just this season, Tala started showing signs of aging. Tala will likely stay retired but she may go on a few endurance rides next season. Swiatek said since they ended their season in September, Tala will give her a look and then look out at the wide-open country, ready for a long ride.
Preparing for Tala's eventual retirement, Don and Bonnie purchased two mares that are the likely heirs apparent to Tala - a 10-year-old gray named Skylark and an 11-year-old black bay named Rocket.
Swiatek grew up a city girl in Lombard, Ill. At the age of 12 her sister married and lived on a farm. Swiatek would visit her sister in the summers and learned to ride a horse then. After the age of 15, Swiatek went 10 years without a horse.
She purchased her first horse when she and Don lived in Tucson, swapping her old car for a horse at the age of 25. She said she always had a love for horses, reading every horse book she could get her hands on.
She especially loved the stories by Mary O'Hara and told her mother one day she would live on a ranch in Wyoming. It took nearly half her life, but she and Don arrived in Wyoming when she was 51. She said she was fortunate to work on a ranch next to O'Hara's ranch for a short time.
For 12 years while in Laramie, Swiatek had plenty of horses while the couple raised Tennessee Walkers. Now they are down to four horses, Sage, Don's horse; and Bonnie's three mares, Tala, Rocket and Skylark.
Bonnie said when she first began looking for a horse she was looking for an Arabian, but truthfully she was looking for a short horse. Most of the horses she has ridden were 15 hands high. Tala is 14 hands. Skylark and Rocket are slightly taller than Tala.
"I look for short, safe, steady and smart," Swiatek said.
To celebrate Bonnie and Tala's 1,000-mile achievement, a party was thrown for them at the couple's home in September. Bonnie said many of her supporters were in attendance, including Barbara Burns, whom she rides with to stay in condition with; her trainers, her husband Don, Jack Evers and Bob Atherton; and Sheri Olson and Gary Brown, her teammates this season on team rides.
By The Associated Press
LARAMIE - It's an unlikely story of a 25-year-old mare and her 62-year-old rider competing on the endurance ride circuit.
Over a seven-year span, the duo, starting at age 18 and 54 respectively, completed more than 1,000 miles. The horse is now semiretired.
Bonnie Swiatek said she wanted to compete in the endurance rides because her husband Don had been competing. She went on a couple of non-sanctioned rides in the mid 1990s with a Tennessee Walker mare called Gleam.
In 1997, Swiatek decided to give the endurance riding a real go and began looking for the right horse. She said she had seen the trouble her husband had with his Tennessee Walker in the heat, so she began looking for an Arabian because they are thinner skinned, handle the heat better and are bred for long-distance riding.
She found a 16-year-old chestnut Arabian mare named Tala. Tala was trained at the age of 16 and 17 and the two competed for the first time in June 1999.
Swiatek admits she didn't really know what she was doing and started Tala out too fast on her first ride. She said when Tala stumbled she decided to pull the horse. Family commitments kept Swiatek and Tala off the circuit for the rest of 1999 and 2000.
Both were wiser and better conditioned in 2001 when the 1,000-mile journey began riding 41 American Endurance Ride Conference sanctioned races over seven years.
During the 2001 season, Swiatek and Tala completed 110 miles together, with a best finish of third, never finishing out of the top 10. The two had shortened seasons in 2002 and 2004, riding only 25 and 60 miles respectively.
They rode 130 miles together in 2003.
Swiatek said the two have learned a lot about endurance rides. Swiatek learned that it's a lot more technical than she realized. She said it is important to keep yourself and your horse as hydrated as possible before, during and after the ride.
She said she prepares by drinking V-8 a few days before the ride including the night before, the morning of, during the race and right after.
This season, Tala was fed a special senior feed and sugar beet pulp, Swiatek said. Swiatek also learned to wear appropriate clothing for the heat, taking tips from bicyclists and avoiding cotton, while Tala learned how to read the ribbons, usually bright orange or pink, which mark the trail.
"It's like having four eyes out there on the trail. She's an amazing old horse," Swiatek said.
The big push Swiatek said she and Tala made the big push these past three years in endurance rides, but she never expected to reach 1,000 miles when she started out in 1999.
She said when she first bought Tala she figured she would start riding with her and then look for a younger mare. Swiatek said she prefers mares because she's had nothing but trouble with geldings.
In 2005, Swiatek and Tala competed in nine rides covering 250 miles; the first time the duo topped 200 miles.
The duo competed in eight rides for 210 miles in 2006. Swiatek said she only competes in limited distance rides (25 to 30 miles) with Tala. The longest season was this year when the two competed in 10 rides covering 270 miles for a total of 1,055 miles.
Swiatek said they rode mainly for "completion" and not for place. She added that the motto for the AERC is "to finish is to win."
The 1,000-mile milestone came in August at the Colorado Horse Park Challenge. The duo rode 25 miles to put them at 1,005 miles that day. They finished in 13th place, completing the ride in three hours and 29 minutes.
Swiatek said an average ride for limited distance is four to 4 hours. Riders have six hours to complete the ride. The horse and rider have finished a few rides in 2 hours.
On Sept. 2, 2006, at the Colorado Horse Park Challenge, the duo finished in first place in 2 hours, 33 minutes. Tala was also honored as the best conditioned horse. The mare also won best conditioned in 2005 at the Black Hills I & II ride where Swiatek and Tala finished third. To finish first was an amazing feat, Swiatek said, because she and Tala are competing against much younger horses and riders.
To be honored as best conditioned twice in her career is also amazing, Swiatek said, since most horses are retiring at age 18, the same age Tala was when she started.
"She loves it. Obviously she was bred for it," Swiatek said.
Swiatek said that just this season, Tala started showing signs of aging. Tala will likely stay retired but she may go on a few endurance rides next season. Swiatek said since they ended their season in September, Tala will give her a look and then look out at the wide-open country, ready for a long ride.
Preparing for Tala's eventual retirement, Don and Bonnie purchased two mares that are the likely heirs apparent to Tala - a 10-year-old gray named Skylark and an 11-year-old black bay named Rocket.
Swiatek grew up a city girl in Lombard, Ill. At the age of 12 her sister married and lived on a farm. Swiatek would visit her sister in the summers and learned to ride a horse then. After the age of 15, Swiatek went 10 years without a horse.
She purchased her first horse when she and Don lived in Tucson, swapping her old car for a horse at the age of 25. She said she always had a love for horses, reading every horse book she could get her hands on.
She especially loved the stories by Mary O'Hara and told her mother one day she would live on a ranch in Wyoming. It took nearly half her life, but she and Don arrived in Wyoming when she was 51. She said she was fortunate to work on a ranch next to O'Hara's ranch for a short time.
For 12 years while in Laramie, Swiatek had plenty of horses while the couple raised Tennessee Walkers. Now they are down to four horses, Sage, Don's horse; and Bonnie's three mares, Tala, Rocket and Skylark.
Bonnie said when she first began looking for a horse she was looking for an Arabian, but truthfully she was looking for a short horse. Most of the horses she has ridden were 15 hands high. Tala is 14 hands. Skylark and Rocket are slightly taller than Tala.
"I look for short, safe, steady and smart," Swiatek said.
To celebrate Bonnie and Tala's 1,000-mile achievement, a party was thrown for them at the couple's home in September. Bonnie said many of her supporters were in attendance, including Barbara Burns, whom she rides with to stay in condition with; her trainers, her husband Don, Jack Evers and Bob Atherton; and Sheri Olson and Gary Brown, her teammates this season on team rides.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Mountain Region Endurance Riders (MRER) Convention
The Mountain Region Endurance Riders annual convention will be held in Denver, Colorado on Feb 8-10, 2008. For more information go to the website link:
http://www.mrer.bravepages.com/MRER_Convention.htm
http://www.mrer.bravepages.com/MRER_Convention.htm
USEF Ranked Rider List - December 2007
USEF Ranked Rider Standings
December 2007
1 John Crandell
2 Steve Rojek
3 Margaret Sleeper
3 Kathy Brunjes
3 Valerie Kanavy
6 Darolyn Butler
7 Janice Worthington
8 Ann Hall
9 Heather Reynolds
9 Joyce Sousa
11 Jeremy Reynolds
12 Cheryl Dell
12 Danielle McGunigal
14 Jeremy Olson
14 Christoph Schork
16 Jennifer Poling
17 Hal V Hall
18 Fred Emigh
19 Lynn Kenelly
19 Cheryl Van Deusen
21 Suzanne Hayes
21 Heather Stevens
21 Jennifer Stevens
24 Tammy Robinson
25 Charisse Glenn
25 Sandra E Conner
Friday, December 14, 2007
Flu outbreak cancels show horse events - Dec 12 2007
Theaustralian.news.com.au
THE equine influenza (EI) outbreak has claimed another victim, with the cancellation of horse competition from next year's Royal Easter show in Sydney.
Organisers today said they were left with little choice when faced with uncertainty over when the statewide restrictions on horse transport would be lifted.
The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) president Rob Vickery said the 2008 Sydney Royal Horse Show had been cancelled.
"While it was our greatest desire to accept entries for the Sydney Royal, the reality is that come March the disease may not be at the stage where horses can be easily moved between zones, without extraordinary quarantine and biosecurity arrangements and some inherent risks," Mr Vickery said.
The Sydney Royal Show will not be totally devoid of horses however, with horse activities to include carriage displays, saddler and farrier demonstrations, along with horse and pony displays.
Quarantine zones remain in place across NSW, with testing for EI continuing on properties that have had direct contact with infected horses.
THE equine influenza (EI) outbreak has claimed another victim, with the cancellation of horse competition from next year's Royal Easter show in Sydney.
Organisers today said they were left with little choice when faced with uncertainty over when the statewide restrictions on horse transport would be lifted.
The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) president Rob Vickery said the 2008 Sydney Royal Horse Show had been cancelled.
"While it was our greatest desire to accept entries for the Sydney Royal, the reality is that come March the disease may not be at the stage where horses can be easily moved between zones, without extraordinary quarantine and biosecurity arrangements and some inherent risks," Mr Vickery said.
The Sydney Royal Show will not be totally devoid of horses however, with horse activities to include carriage displays, saddler and farrier demonstrations, along with horse and pony displays.
Quarantine zones remain in place across NSW, with testing for EI continuing on properties that have had direct contact with infected horses.
Getting the hump - Dec 14 2007
7days.ae - Full Story By Mike Norrish
Cranky camels have been kicked out of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge after a mass show of desert defiance. The gruelling endurance event hit major problems during the desert trekking stage, after the 25 camels enlisted to carry essential supplies lived up to their cantankerous reputations.
And after camel-related problems prevented several teams from finishing the 87-kilometre journey, organisers decided to void the stage. That ruling meant the leaders before the desert trek - Team Eurosport NZ - returned back to first place ahead of the penultimate day's mountain bike trial.
The week-long, multi-event endurance event has been staged by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, and features intrepid teams from all over the world. Although two teams from the UAE are taking part, many of the competitors were entirely unfamiliar with the 'ships of the desert'.
Camel training was provided...
More...
Cranky camels have been kicked out of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge after a mass show of desert defiance. The gruelling endurance event hit major problems during the desert trekking stage, after the 25 camels enlisted to carry essential supplies lived up to their cantankerous reputations.
And after camel-related problems prevented several teams from finishing the 87-kilometre journey, organisers decided to void the stage. That ruling meant the leaders before the desert trek - Team Eurosport NZ - returned back to first place ahead of the penultimate day's mountain bike trial.
The week-long, multi-event endurance event has been staged by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, and features intrepid teams from all over the world. Although two teams from the UAE are taking part, many of the competitors were entirely unfamiliar with the 'ships of the desert'.
Camel training was provided...
More...
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Western Slope No-Fee Coalition
www.WesternSlopeNoFee.org
P.O. Box 135, Durango, CO 81302
DEAR PUBLIC LANDS SUPPORTER,
The day has finally arrived when we can begin to see the end of
access fees for public lands. A bill has been introduced in the
U.S. Senate, with bipartisan sponsorship, to repeal the Federal
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, also known as the Recreation
Access Tax, or RAT.
Please take a few moments to celebrate, and pat yourself on the
back for all the effort over the last 10 years by every one of you
that has brought this about.
Then get ready to go to work. This landmark legislation is going
to require an all-out grassroots effort to achieve passage. We do
not yet have a bill number assigned, so hold off briefly from
contacting Congress, as having a number will be important when you
ask for their support.
We will be sending more details about the bill and how you can
help get it passed in the coming days and weeks.
THANK YOU for your support, which is what made this happen.
Kitty Benzar, President
*News Release*
Press Release of Senator Crapo
BAUCUS, CRAPO BILL WOULD NIX RECREATION FEES
Montana, Idaho Sens. Team Up To Repeal Recreation Access Tax
*Contact:* Susan Wheeler
Monday, December 10, 2007
Washington, DC -- The U.S. Forest Service and other federal
agencies would be blocked from charging Americans higher fees to
access their public lands under legislation introduced today by
two prominent Western lawmakers.
Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today joined Finance Committee Chairman
Max Baucus (D-Montana) in introducing the much-anticipated Fee
Repeal and Expanded Access Act of 2007.
The bill would revoke authority given federal agencies, with the
exception of the National Park Service, in 2004 to institute new
fees and increase existing fees at campgrounds, trailheads, and
other public areas.
Specifically, the bill repeals the 2004-passed Federal Lands
Recreational Enhancement Act, sometimes called the recreational
access tax, and reinstates legislation dating back to 1965 that
limits the use of fees on public lands.
Baucus, a long-time critic of the fees, said the current system
amounts to double taxation.
"Americans already pay to use their public lands on April 15,"
Baucus said. "We shouldn?t be taxed twice to go fishing, hiking,
or camping on OUR public lands. It just doesn't make any sense.
That's why Mike and I are going to fight like the dickens to get
this bill passed."
The senators noted that both the Montana and Idaho State
Legislatures passed resolutions to repeal FLREA.
Crapo said, "As an outdoorsman and legislator, I have always
supported fair and reasonable access to our nation's public lands.
Mandatory user fees for access to many of those lands limits
accessibility to those who can afford the cost and results in a
"pay-to-play" system that is unacceptable. I also fully recognize
that we need to adequately fund recreation activities on federal
lands and will continue to fight in Congress to make sure the
funding needs of our public lands management agencies are met."
Debates have flared up in communities across the West as fees
began to rise after the 2004 bill was passed. Baucus said he hopes
his bill will help resolve those disputes.
Kitty Benzar, president of the Western Slope No-Fee Coalition,
hailed the bill. Baucus worked closely with Benzar as well as the
late Robert Funkhouser, who recently passed away, in crafting the
legislation.
"This bill will bring an end to a failed experiment that has for
10 years burdened Americans with a double tax and kept them away
from public lands they have always enjoyed, Benzar said. "I
applaud this bipartisan effort."
The Baucus-Crapo bill would:
Repeal the FLREA
Reinstate the fee authorities established by the 1965 Land and Water Conservation Act
Reinstate the National Parks Pass system
Cap the amount that can be charged for entrance to national parks. Wes
Additional Information:
Koze950.com
i-world.net
wildlandscpr.org
P.O. Box 135, Durango, CO 81302
DEAR PUBLIC LANDS SUPPORTER,
The day has finally arrived when we can begin to see the end of
access fees for public lands. A bill has been introduced in the
U.S. Senate, with bipartisan sponsorship, to repeal the Federal
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, also known as the Recreation
Access Tax, or RAT.
Please take a few moments to celebrate, and pat yourself on the
back for all the effort over the last 10 years by every one of you
that has brought this about.
Then get ready to go to work. This landmark legislation is going
to require an all-out grassroots effort to achieve passage. We do
not yet have a bill number assigned, so hold off briefly from
contacting Congress, as having a number will be important when you
ask for their support.
We will be sending more details about the bill and how you can
help get it passed in the coming days and weeks.
THANK YOU for your support, which is what made this happen.
Kitty Benzar, President
*News Release*
Press Release of Senator Crapo
BAUCUS, CRAPO BILL WOULD NIX RECREATION FEES
Montana, Idaho Sens. Team Up To Repeal Recreation Access Tax
*Contact:* Susan Wheeler
Monday, December 10, 2007
Washington, DC -- The U.S. Forest Service and other federal
agencies would be blocked from charging Americans higher fees to
access their public lands under legislation introduced today by
two prominent Western lawmakers.
Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today joined Finance Committee Chairman
Max Baucus (D-Montana) in introducing the much-anticipated Fee
Repeal and Expanded Access Act of 2007.
The bill would revoke authority given federal agencies, with the
exception of the National Park Service, in 2004 to institute new
fees and increase existing fees at campgrounds, trailheads, and
other public areas.
Specifically, the bill repeals the 2004-passed Federal Lands
Recreational Enhancement Act, sometimes called the recreational
access tax, and reinstates legislation dating back to 1965 that
limits the use of fees on public lands.
Baucus, a long-time critic of the fees, said the current system
amounts to double taxation.
"Americans already pay to use their public lands on April 15,"
Baucus said. "We shouldn?t be taxed twice to go fishing, hiking,
or camping on OUR public lands. It just doesn't make any sense.
That's why Mike and I are going to fight like the dickens to get
this bill passed."
The senators noted that both the Montana and Idaho State
Legislatures passed resolutions to repeal FLREA.
Crapo said, "As an outdoorsman and legislator, I have always
supported fair and reasonable access to our nation's public lands.
Mandatory user fees for access to many of those lands limits
accessibility to those who can afford the cost and results in a
"pay-to-play" system that is unacceptable. I also fully recognize
that we need to adequately fund recreation activities on federal
lands and will continue to fight in Congress to make sure the
funding needs of our public lands management agencies are met."
Debates have flared up in communities across the West as fees
began to rise after the 2004 bill was passed. Baucus said he hopes
his bill will help resolve those disputes.
Kitty Benzar, president of the Western Slope No-Fee Coalition,
hailed the bill. Baucus worked closely with Benzar as well as the
late Robert Funkhouser, who recently passed away, in crafting the
legislation.
"This bill will bring an end to a failed experiment that has for
10 years burdened Americans with a double tax and kept them away
from public lands they have always enjoyed, Benzar said. "I
applaud this bipartisan effort."
The Baucus-Crapo bill would:
Repeal the FLREA
Reinstate the fee authorities established by the 1965 Land and Water Conservation Act
Reinstate the National Parks Pass system
Cap the amount that can be charged for entrance to national parks. Wes
Additional Information:
Koze950.com
i-world.net
wildlandscpr.org
Local horse, rider go the distance to win national championship endurance ride - Dec 13 2007
Winchesterstar.com - Full Article By Cynthia Cather Burton - The Winchester Star
MOUNTAIN FALLS — A Frederick County horse’s ability to go the distance has made it a national champion.
Kody, a 7-year-old Arab-Appaloosa blend, was first across the finish line in the Appaloosa Horse Club’s second annual National Championship Endurance Ride on Sept. 8 in Oneida, Tenn.
The win earned Kody the title of 2007 Appaloosa National Champion Endurance Horse.
Kody is owned by Karen Wade of Willowbrook Farm in the Frederick County community of Mountain Falls. He was bred by Val Van Meter of Little Ripple Farm, also in Mountain Falls.
Wade’s son, 18-year-old Nicholas Irianni, a Virginia Tech freshman and 2007 Handley High School graduate, rode Kody to victory in the 50-mile endurance ride.
He competed for the title against horse-and-rider teams from seven states and Canada.
The event took place in the Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area...
More...
MOUNTAIN FALLS — A Frederick County horse’s ability to go the distance has made it a national champion.
Kody, a 7-year-old Arab-Appaloosa blend, was first across the finish line in the Appaloosa Horse Club’s second annual National Championship Endurance Ride on Sept. 8 in Oneida, Tenn.
The win earned Kody the title of 2007 Appaloosa National Champion Endurance Horse.
Kody is owned by Karen Wade of Willowbrook Farm in the Frederick County community of Mountain Falls. He was bred by Val Van Meter of Little Ripple Farm, also in Mountain Falls.
Wade’s son, 18-year-old Nicholas Irianni, a Virginia Tech freshman and 2007 Handley High School graduate, rode Kody to victory in the 50-mile endurance ride.
He competed for the title against horse-and-rider teams from seven states and Canada.
The event took place in the Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area...
More...
Ice skater turned horse rider gallops to success Dec 12 2007
Thisislancashire.co.uk - Full Story By Gordon McCully
A former Chorley ice skater has galloped to success in another sport.
Shelby-Jade France (pictured) has just taken the horse riding endurance event by storm.
Shelby Jade used to be an ice skating star until unfortunately her mum Michelle began to suffer from ill health.
Shelby started to ride her mum's horse and this year began competing on him in endurance riding.
Shelby has just taken the endurance world by storm and has just be crowned the Junior Endurance Champion of GB in this, her first season, beating 26 other riders from across the country to take the title.
Points gained from each ride are added together for the championship.
Shelby competes on her mum's horse Streamcross Dakota and rides on average 80k in one day and an average speed of 15kph over varying terrains.
The fitness of the horse and rider is paramount. Shelby is hoping to retain her title next year and will be competing on two horses. Shelby is always supported up and down the country by her mum and dad and brothers Johnathon and Thomas.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
AERC Regional Director Election Results
The regional Directors for AERC after the installation of
Directors at the convention will be
Central
Mike Campbell
Monica Chapman
Mountain
Susan Schomburg
Jan Stevens
Midwest
Connie Caudill
Joyce Mocilan
Northeast
Patti Pizzo
Sandy Terp
Northwest
Tom Noll
Gail Williams
Pacific South
John Parke
Terry Woolley-Howe
Southeast
Susan Kasemeyer
Joe Schoech
Southwest
Roger Taylor
Jeff Trinkle
West
Maryben Stover
Vacant - Nomination by Maryben and approval of the BoD
Directors at the convention will be
Central
Mike Campbell
Monica Chapman
Mountain
Susan Schomburg
Jan Stevens
Midwest
Connie Caudill
Joyce Mocilan
Northeast
Patti Pizzo
Sandy Terp
Northwest
Tom Noll
Gail Williams
Pacific South
John Parke
Terry Woolley-Howe
Southeast
Susan Kasemeyer
Joe Schoech
Southwest
Roger Taylor
Jeff Trinkle
West
Maryben Stover
Vacant - Nomination by Maryben and approval of the BoD
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Horse welfare at top of FEI endurance review
HorseandHound.co.uk
Abigail Butcher, H&H news editor
2 December, 2007
A working party charged with developing new ideas for the sport of endurance submitted a raft of proposals to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) last week.
Among them were suggestions for a new qualifying system for riders; suspending horses and riders from competition after they are eliminated from a race; and more specialised training for vets and officials.
The FEI announced plans to overhaul the rules of endurance in the spring, following vast growth in the sport, and a number of equine deaths in recent years.
Under review is qualification, organisation, equine protection, education, legal controls and competition structure — with the welfare of the horse a major priority.
Newmarket vet Fred Barrelet led a group charged with looking at horse welfare.
"One of the criticisms of endurance is that people can get on a horse and six months later ride in an international-level competition," he said. "A proper system of qualification could ensure that riders are competent to negotiate an endurance competition as they move up through the levels."
Mr Barrelet's group has also proposed more research is done on endurance, and that rest periods between rides be imposed.
"We've looked at whether a rider should be suspended if their horse is eliminated [at a vet check]," he said.
The introduction of an FEI-standard logbook and better training for officials have also been suggested, as well as ideas to make the sport more marketable and attractive to the public.
FEI endurance judge and technical delegate John Robertson has been chairing the group looking at competition structure.
"There's a lot of talk about different finishes, distances and the removal of weights for endurance horses," he said. "But nothing has been decided yet, these are only ideas."
Ian Williams, FEI head of endurance who presented the report, said: "The task force will produce their final recommendations by March 2008, after which the proposals will be sent to national federations for comment."
This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (29 November, '07)
Abigail Butcher, H&H news editor
2 December, 2007
A working party charged with developing new ideas for the sport of endurance submitted a raft of proposals to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) last week.
Among them were suggestions for a new qualifying system for riders; suspending horses and riders from competition after they are eliminated from a race; and more specialised training for vets and officials.
The FEI announced plans to overhaul the rules of endurance in the spring, following vast growth in the sport, and a number of equine deaths in recent years.
Under review is qualification, organisation, equine protection, education, legal controls and competition structure — with the welfare of the horse a major priority.
Newmarket vet Fred Barrelet led a group charged with looking at horse welfare.
"One of the criticisms of endurance is that people can get on a horse and six months later ride in an international-level competition," he said. "A proper system of qualification could ensure that riders are competent to negotiate an endurance competition as they move up through the levels."
Mr Barrelet's group has also proposed more research is done on endurance, and that rest periods between rides be imposed.
"We've looked at whether a rider should be suspended if their horse is eliminated [at a vet check]," he said.
The introduction of an FEI-standard logbook and better training for officials have also been suggested, as well as ideas to make the sport more marketable and attractive to the public.
FEI endurance judge and technical delegate John Robertson has been chairing the group looking at competition structure.
"There's a lot of talk about different finishes, distances and the removal of weights for endurance horses," he said. "But nothing has been decided yet, these are only ideas."
Ian Williams, FEI head of endurance who presented the report, said: "The task force will produce their final recommendations by March 2008, after which the proposals will be sent to national federations for comment."
This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (29 November, '07)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)