Tag Archives: endurance

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Show Jumping

Three Stars for Royal Windsor Horse Show

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12 February 2014 – The UK’s largest outdoor equestrian show, Royal Windsor Horse Show, will become a CHI (Concours Hippique International) for the first time this year, when it introduces new international 3 star Show Jumping and Dressage competitions.

Taking place on 14-18 May 2014, the prestigious five-day show, which has over 3,500 competitors, is the only event in the UK which stages international competitions in four different equine disciplines: Show Jumping, Dressage, Driving and Endurance. This year the total prize money has received a welcome boost bringing it to over £250,000 – a substantial increase from 2013 when it was £87,000.

The popular evening performances will once again make a return on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the show, starting at 6:30pm on each evening. The CDI3* FEI Dressage Grand Prix takes place on Thursday 15th May in the evening, with the CDI3* FEI Dressage Kur taking place 24 hours later on Friday 16th May. Spectators on Saturday evening will be treated to the CSI3* King’s Cup, which is worth an impressive £53,000. The highlight of the Sunday afternoon performance is the CSI3* Alltech Grand Prix for the Kingdom of Bahrain Trophy which will see the winner take home £35,000. Five out of eight of the show jumping classes during Royal Windsor, qualify for FEI rider rankings.

Driving has been a key feature of the show since 1971, when HRH The Duke of Edinburgh persuaded show organisers to introduce an international carriage driving competition under FEI rules. It continues to be a highlight of the show, with competitions taking place in the Driven Dressage Arena, Home Park from Thursday to Sunday and the Marathon taking place around the beautiful private grounds of Windsor Castle on Saturday 17th May.

As well as the international competitions in Dressage, Show Jumping, Driving and Endurance, there will be over 130 showing classes during the five days. Royal Windsor is a highlight of the British showing calendar and regarded as the start to the summer season. There will also be classic equestrian displays including the The Musical Ride of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The Musical Drive of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, as well as the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games, the Shetland Pony Grand National and an Arab Horse Display from Bahrain.

FletcherTThe layout of the show has significantly evolved over the last 70 years and this year it develops once again to allow for the new 3 star competitions, including a temporary warm up ring and improved facilities for owners and competitors. There will be over 220 trade stands selling a huge variety of goods ranging from all things equestrian to homeware and fashion, and in addition there is a Food Festival Area, celebrating the very best of British produce.

A new ticket pricing strategy has been introduced this year, with free admission to all visitors on ‘Windsor Wednesday’, the 14th May for the first time and children are also free of charge on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday 15th May the admission fee for adults will be £16 and on Friday 16th May it will be £19. On Saturday 17th May and Sunday 18th May, showground entry will be £25 for adults and £10 for children. There are discounts for group bookings and family value tickets for two adults and three children for £60 on either Saturday or Sunday.

Once again the show receives loyal and important support from The Kingdom of Bahrain and sponsors Jaguar Land Rover, Laurent Perrier, DAKS, Hermes and Alltech.

All tickets can be purchased on RWHS’s brand new website, www.rwhs.co.uk, which launches today.

For more information, please contact Hannah Grissell at Revolution Sports + Entertainment E: hannah@revolutionsports.co.uk, T: 0207 592 1207

Tickets can be purchased on the door, online or by telephone. For pre-purchase, visitors should go to www.rwhs.co.uk or telephone the box office on 0844 581 4960 from the UK and +44 (0) 121 767 4660 internationally.  Royal Windsor Horse Show is organised by HPower Group, also organisers of Olympia, The London International Horse Show – www.hpower.co.uk.

Conferences, Endurance Riding, FEI

Conference Delegates Give Positive Response to Endurance Strategic Plan

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Andrew Finding (GBR), Chair of the Endurance Strategic Planning Group, addresses today’s Endurance conference in Lausanne (SUI), where broad consensus was reached on the way forward for the sport. Photo: Germain Arias-Schreiber/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 9 February 2014 – Delegates from 23 countries reached a broad consensus on the strategic plan for Endurance sport at the one-day Endurance conference in Lausanne (SUI) today.

The conference was attended by more 70 delegates, with a total of 20 National Federations represented. Other bodies attending the conference were the European Equestrian Federation, World Horse Welfare, American Endurance Ride Conference and the Equine Community Integrity Unit (ECIU), as well as members of the media. FEI President HRH Princess Haya attended as an observer, along with members of the FEI Executive Board.

The morning session focused on feedback from the National Federations on the proposals outlined at the 2013 General Assembly in November 2013 by the Endurance Strategic Planning Group (ESPG).

Of the 47 National Federations involved in the sport, of which 33 run elite Endurance events, 20 Federations returned responses via the electronic survey, a further six sent additional comments. A team of veterinary surgeons also held its own scientifically based review and shared its views with the ESPG.

ESPG Chair Andrew Finding summarised the results from the survey, in which 32 of the Group’s 37 recommendations received an approval rating of over 80%.

“The consultation was never intended to be a referendum, it was designed to add value to the work we have been doing and vitally to give every National Federation an opportunity to comment,” he said. “Some decided to comment, many did not but every National Federation had an opportunity to do so.”

Andrew Finding pledged that every comment received would be addressed by the Group and, where appropriate, covered at the operational planning level. He also stated that the Group had recommended that members of the Endurance Committee should be tasked with a specific area of responsibility to cover each of the critical success factors outlined by the ESPG – culture and behaviour; structure and governance; foundation for growth, and communications and marketing.

His presentation then focused on the five recommendations that had a lower approval rating, but still in excess of 50%. These were the designation of Persons Responsible, and whether trainers should be included alongside riders, ride qualification standards, a trainers ranking list, awards for completions, and awards for officials. He also covered five other areas that National Federations had raised in their responses to the survey and which the ESPG felt had not been covered fully in its recommendations.

Debate during the day focused on the key areas of horse welfare; clean sport and the rules, which were widely accepted as fit for purpose; support for officials on enforcement of those rules; transparent and consistent reporting; the use of technology; rider competence and horsemanship; cost implications; sponsorship; the technicality of courses to help resolve speed-related issues; technical criteria during competitions; individual and team performance; and ensuring the long-term development of the sport.

There was also considerable discussion on the traditional Endurance rides, which are now being referred to as Classic Endurance riding, and Endurance Racing. There were mixed views on whether a different set of rules should be used, but it was generally agreed that the rules cover both elements.

Part of the afternoon’s session was devoted to establishing the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which will be used to evaluate the success of the strategic plan.

During his summing up of the day’s proceedings, moderator John McEwen thanked Andrew Finding and the ESPG members for all their work. “This conference was to complete the work of the ESPG,” he said. “I want to thank them all individually and personally and Andrew for leading them.”

“Endurance sport has expanded thanks to the expansion in Group VII; we mustn’t lose sight of that expansion,” he continued. “How we handle the expansion of the sport is down to you and it’s important we handle that right for the future of the sport.

“You’ve all said that actually the structure and governance is in place. Yes we need to implement it in slightly different ways in certain aspects. We have the guidelines from the ESPG, which are extremely helpful in helping us to do that. I think the feeling in general is that we want this to remain one sport. I am passionate about this and I believe that we need to stay as one sport and that is only possible if people are open-minded and have wide vision.”

The ESPG will now use the input from today’s conference to finalise its report, which will be presented to the FEI Bureau for further consideration. The FEI Bureau and the Endurance Committee will report at a special session on Endurance at the FEI Sports Forum (28-29 April 2014) about the follow-up on the conclusions of the ESPG.

The 20 National Federations represented at today’s conference were from Belgium, Botswana, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Italy, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, United States of America.

The FEI Endurance Strategic Planning Group (ESPG), set up last year following the Endurance round table on 24 July, was tasked with creating a long-term plan for the discipline to tackle the issues currently being faced in Endurance. The ESPG is chaired by Andrew Finding, European Equestrian Federation Board Member and CEO of the British Equestrian Federation.

The members of the Group are veterinarian Brian Sheahan (AUS), chair of the FEI Endurance Committee; Joe Mattingley (USA), international Endurance rider; Saeed H Al Tayer (UAE), Vice President of the Dubai Equestrian Club and organiser of FEI World Endurance Championships; and veterinarian Jean-Louis Leclerc (FRA), an internationally respected and very successful chef d’équipe and team manager within the discipline.

FEI Media contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

Endurance Riding, USEF, World Equestrian Games

USEF Announces Date and Location for the 2014 World Equestrian Games Endurance Team Selection Trial

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Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce a new location for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Endurance Team Selection Trial CEI2* 120km. The event will now take place April 17-20, 2014 in Broxton Bridge, SC.

The 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is being held August 23 – September 7, 2014 in Normandy, France with the Endurance event being held August 27th and 28th in Baie du Mont Saint Michel, France.

Information on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games – Endurance can be found here: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/allendurance/hpendurance.aspx.

For more information, please contact Vonita Bowers, Director of Endurance, by email at vbowers@usef.org.

Awards, Endurance Riding, USEF

Kimery Awarded Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award and Brunjes Junior/Young Rider Trophy

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Christine Kimery (Fanny Doublein)

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce Christina Kimery as the winner of the two prestigious awards in the discipline of Endurance, the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award and the Brunjes Junior/Young Rider Trophy. 2013 is the first time the coveted awards have been won by the same individual.

The Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award, sponsored by Gold Medal Farm, and Larry and Valerie Kanavy, is in memory of Maggy Price, who was the 1992 FEI World Endurance Championship Silver medalist instrumental in the development of international endurance in the U.S. The award is presented to the Endurance Rider Ranking List athlete with the most points earned in the competition year. The Brunjes Junior/Young Rider Trophy is presented to the Endurance Rider Ranking List Junior/Young Rider athlete with the most points earned in the competition year. The Trophy is awarded in memory of Kathy Brunjes, who was a successful endurance athlete and an active supporter of the Junior/Young Rider program.

Sixteen-year-old Kimery (Bixby, Okla.) had a noteworthy year, claiming top honors at numerous endurance races in 2013. Kimery began her year with two wins in January at the Broxton Bridge CEIYJ2*, riding Jeremy Olson’s SA Belshazzar and Laurie Pearson’s Rohara Royale +.  Her success continued with an impressive showing at the CEIYJ2* in Williston, Fla., finishing in first place on Rohara Royale + and in third on Amy Wallace-Whelan’s Wallace Hill Shade. She had additional wins and high placings at the Indian Springs Endurance (Las Cruces, N.M.) CEIYJ2* and the Zone Team Endurance Challenge (Ashland, Mont.) CEIYJ2* & CEIYJ3*. Kimery had a strong performance in Tarbes, France, while representing the U.S. at the FEI Junior/Young Rider World Endurance Championships. She is involved in the Bixby High School Future Farmers of American program where her endurance riding is recognized and supported, allowing her to compete throughout the school year. Kimery is also a member of her high school’s skeet team and enjoys hunting and fishing with her dad.

“Christina Kimery was an immense joy for me to have on the team of Young Riders this summer at the Worlds in Tarbes, France,” said Emmett Ross, Endurance Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor. “As my youngest team rider she was one of the most focused and competent. Christina has an immense unlimited future in endurance.  Her family support group was incredible as well. Thanks to the Kimerys.”

United States Equestrian Federation | 4047 Iron Works Parkway | Lexington | KY | 40511

Endurance Riding, FEI

FEI Secretary General Reacts to Endurance Committee Member’s Statement

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Lausanne (SUI), 18 October 2013 – FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos has today reacted to Endurance Committee member Pierre Arnould’s public statement on Endurance.

“I do not accept the statement made public by Pierre Arnould, a member of the FEI Endurance Committee, for a number of reasons:

  • Mr Arnould has made unsubstantiated allegations about the sport and, in so doing, has brought the sport and the FEI into disrepute.
  • Mr Arnould has stated publicly that the FEI Bureau has rejected proposals put forward by the Endurance Committee. This is absolutely untrue.
  • Mr Arnould spoke as a Member of the FEI Endurance Committee without either mandate or consultation. The Chair of the Committee has written to Mr Arnould on this issue.

Like all FEI Committee Members, Mr Arnould signed a non-disclosure document and a declaration agreeing to support and actively endorse FEI policies.

As an individual Pierre Arnould can speak his mind, but he cannot speak on behalf of an FEI Committee without consulting its Chair and his fellow Members.

This is not just a legal issue. His actions show a total lack of respect for his colleagues on the Committee, but also for other volunteers within our organisation. Mr Arnould is in clear breach of this signed agreement and his behaviour is totally unacceptable.

In my capacity as FEI Secretary General, and in consultation with the relevant bodies within the organisation, I am currently looking into whether any further action needs to be undertaken.

In response to Mr Arnould’s statement, I state categorically that the FEI is working to address the issues in Endurance and has been for some time.

Additionally, in 2012 the FEI undertook a full review of the Endurance rules, including a full Endurance session at the Sports Forum, in order to address the issues that arose from the strong growth of this discipline. These efforts continued in 2013.

With the organisation of a round table session, the creation of the ESPG and the start of an Injuries Surveillance Study, the FEI is clearly fully committed to safeguard the further development of this discipline.

In preparation for next month’s General Assembly, the FEI President has sent a statement on Endurance to all member National Federations today.”

Media contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

Endurance Riding, FEI, FEI

France, Spain & UAE Take Endurance Golds in Most

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(L to R) silver medallists from Spain, gold medallists from France and bronze medallists from Italy. (Photo: Gilly Wheeler/FEI/FEI).

Most (CZE), 13-15 September 2013 – A total of 87 combinations, including some of the world’s top Endurance talent, descended on the Most Hippodrome in the Czech Republic at the weekend to tackle a track designed to test the very best for the FEI Open European Endurance Championships.

The 160km track was laid out across 6 loops, with the first travelling east from the venue covering predominantly agricultural land and tracks, and the second 25km loop covering similar ground. The third loop was the longest of all at 36km and considered the toughest – heading away from the venue in a lollipop, it had many more changes in altitude. The fourth loop was a repeat of loop 1, with loops 5 and 6 – both 19kms long – encompassing the area directly around the hippodrome.

The startlist made for some great reading, with the top five athletes in the FEI Endurance World Rankings competing in the Open Category. Notably absent from the field of starters were Endurance legends Maria Alvarez Ponton (ESP) and Nobby – Maria gave birth to Anna just a few weeks ago.

At this year’s Championships, France claimed team gold yet again with Spain’s Jaume Punti Dachs remaining on top as European Individual with Quran El Ulm, and the UAE’s Sheikh Rashid Dalmook al Maktoum taking Open European Individual gold with Yamamah.

The trial run for these Championships took place in September last year and was won at 19.7kph by the UAE, with Bahrain taking the 2nd spot. The results at the first vet gate indicated that this year’s Open Championships could be a repeat performance with the UAE holding the top 3 places, closely followed by Bahrain and Oman and European nations Spain, France and Great Britain. Vet gate 2 saw little change in the Open standings, but it did see movement in the European category with Spain, Poland and Belgium looking strong in the individual category.

But, in the end and as is so often the case, France was in fine form to take the team title once again with all 5 of their squad in the top fifteen. Their top three results combined gave them a total time of 23:56:05, nearly two hours ahead of second-placed Spain which finished 2 hours ahead of Italy in bronze. The podium line-up remained the same for the Open Category Team Championships.

New formula

This was the first senior Championships to see the new formula put into practice that had worked so well at the Junior and Young Rider Championships earlier this year in Tarbes (FRA). Each nation enters five combinations rather than the traditional six, but there is no longer any requirement to declare your team of four plus two individuals. All five members of the squad can be considered and it is the best three scores to count – but of course only these 3 combinations receive a medal.

The competition proved to be a very technical one with a high number of horses being judged not fit to continue as the stages unravelled. In the run up to the event, the weather had been cold and damp resulting in a wet, slippery track. However, the weather turned on the day of the competition itself and was warm and humid. It was certainly a real test of endurance for all combinations and tactical, careful riding was the requirement for the day.

Individuals shine

Punti Dachs for Spain continued his dominance in the individual European category, and at the final vet gate had an 8-minute advantage over Championships veteran Jean Philippe Frances (FRA), who finished on silver. The final podium spot went to Kamilla Kart (POL), who pipped Philippe Tomas (FRA) to the finish line by just 2 seconds. This was Kart’s second 160km finish with the talented Raila des Sables this year.

Punti Dachs’ 9-year-old stallion Quran El Ulm is an ever-consistent performer, completing every international competition started. It was therefore the icing on the cake when they cruised to victory in the Individual European Championships at 20.88kph. Their incredible vet gate presentation times averaged at just 1.08 minutes and appeared to give them the edge over their remaining competition. Jean Philippe Frances’ grey gelding Qrafik la Majorie is also incredibly dependable – the talented pair finished 13th in the Longines FEI World Endurance Championships in Euston Park (GBR) last year, and Most was Frances’ 10th major Championships and his 2nd podium finish.

In the Individual Open category, Sheikh Rashid Dalmook al Maktoum (UAE) with the 14-year-old mare Yamamah (Kurrajong Concorde) – who placed second in the Longines FEI World Endurance Championships last year – took gold after a strong final loop of 26.8kph, crossing the finish line with a 17-minute lead. Ali Khalfan al Jahouri (UAE), who won the Open European title in 2011, finished with silver on the 9-year-old bay gelding Farak. HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad al Khalifa (BRN), who finished second in the Championships trial event last year, was just 8 seconds behind and took bronze with Dhab, who was originally bred in the Czech Republic – a rather apt homecoming for this talented young gelding.

Final Results

European and Open European Team

Gold: France – 23:56:05 (Jean Philippe Frances/Qrafik Al Majorie, Philippe Tomas/Quotien Persky, Melody Theolissat/Azelle de Jalima); Silver: Spain – 25:45:02 (Jaume Punti Dachs/Quran El Ulm, Laia Muixi Crusellas/Flying Tornade, Javier Cervera Sanchez-Arnedo/Strawblade); Bronze: Italy – 27:45:53 (Daniele Serioli/Pika de Cardonne, Melania Serioli/Cala Gonona, Carlo di Battista/Fonni).

European Individual

Gold: Jaume Punti Dachs (ESP) with Quran El Ulm (07:42:40 – 20.88kph); Silver: Jean Philippe Frances (FRA) with Qrafil Al Majorie (07:45:25 – 20.76kph); Bronze: Kamilla Kart (POL) with Raila des Sables (07:58:24 – 20.19kph).

Open European Individual

Gold: Sh. Rashid Dalmook al Maktoum (UAE) with Yamamah (07:24:44 – 21.72kph); Silver: Ali Khalfan al Jahouri (UAE) with Farak (07:42:19 – 20.90kph); Bronze: HH Sh. Nasser bin Hamad al Khalifa (BRN) with Dhab (07:42:27 – 20.89kph).

Full results: http://www.endurance-timing.net/.

By Anna Williams

FEI Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

Endurance Riding, FEI

Endurance Strategic Planning Group Holds Its First Meeting

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Lausanne (SUI), 12 September 2014 – The Endurance Strategic Planning Group, which was set up following a round table session at the FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) on 24 July, held its first meeting via teleconference on Tuesday, 10 September. The Group, chaired by Andrew Finding (GBR), consists of Dr Brian Sheahan (AUS), Chairman of the FEI Endurance Committee; Jean-Louis Leclerc (FRA); Saeed Al Tayer (UAE); Joe Mattingly (USA); and the FEI’s Ian Williams (Director of Endurance) and Graeme Cooke (Director of Veterinary).

“Together we reviewed the FEI Bureau’s direction to us and considered the mission statement we have been given,” Group Chair Andrew Finding said. “We have all agreed that we are comfortable with accepting that mission statement and working to achieve the objective which is to create an environment within which athletes compete in the spirit of fair play while horses compete in partnership with human athletes where at all times their welfare is of paramount concern. The mission statement says: ‘The strategic plan for Endurance over the decade 2013-2023 will define a global rate of growth for the sport; growth that is manageable and effectively supervised by the FEI and NFs. Increased levels of participation, more events and improved standards are to be encouraged where all NFs, athletes, trainers, officials and organisers adhere to and promote the highest Clean Sport standards and meet the FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse.’

“This was a really good and positive meeting in which all members of the group provided valuable input with a determined commitment. Every member has undertaken to add detail in their area of special insight and knowledge over the next two weeks. We will review this work when we meet for our first face-to-face session in the first few days of October. Progressively through September and October we will develop the draft strategic ‘Plan in Outline’ which we will reveal at the Endurance Session which will take place on 6 November in Montreux (SUI) in the framework of the FEI General Assembly. As we move through our work, Dr Brian Sheahan and Ian Williams will be consulting the FEI Endurance Committee.

“Our aim is to keep the ‘Plan in Outline’ brief, simple and strategic in concept. There will be more work to be done to develop the strategy and then to develop an operational plan; we expect this to be completed after the FEI Endurance Session in November and after we have consulted all National Federations on the strategic approach.”

Dr Brian Sheahan added: “I am very happy. We have already made a big step forward.”

Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

Endurance Riding, FEI

Endurance Strategic Planning Group Composition Announced

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Lausanne (SUI), 2 September 2013 – The FEI has announced the composition of an Endurance Strategic Planning Group further to the unanimous recommendations of the Round Table held on 24 July.

The Group will be chaired by Andrew Finding, European Equestrian Federation Board Member and CEO of the British Equestrian Federation. The members of the Group are veterinarian Brian Sheahan (AUS), chair of the FEI Endurance Committee; Joe Mattingley (USA), international Endurance rider; Saeed H Al Tayer (UAE), Vice President of the Dubai Equestrian Club and organiser of FEI World Endurance Championships; and veterinarian Jean-Louis Leclerc (FRA), an internationally respected and very successful chef d’équipe and team manager within the discipline.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Endurance Strategic Planning Group for accepting to review and build a promising future for the FEI’s fastest growing discipline,” FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said.

“Andrew Finding is one of the most knowledgeable people in equestrian sport worldwide and all the members bring a wealth of expertise as veterinarians, successful riders, trainers, event organisers and team managers. The Group will be fully supported in its work by FEI Director of Endurance Ian Williams and FEI Veterinary Director Graeme Cooke.

“I have no doubt that the Group will analyse the discipline thoroughly and professionally and will provide the FEI with sound recommendations for the sport’s further successful development.”

“I will undertake the role of Endurance Strategic Planning Group chairman with diligence, and I shall approach this task from a totally independent standpoint,” Andrew Finding said. “The Group will work with complete integrity, taking advice from those who are familiar with the problems and challenges of Endurance sport.

“If I need to be tough in commenting on behalf of the Group then that is what I shall do. It is my intention to have our work followed and verified by the Equestrian Community Integrity Unit.

“Our most important objective is to find solutions and help ensure the sport and everyone connected with it follows, at all times, the FEI’s Clean Sport policy and the Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse. We must look forward and work together positively.”

The Endurance Strategic Planning Group’s mission statement, which has been approved by the FEI Bureau, is to develop a strategic plan for Endurance over the decade 2013-2023 which will define a global rate of growth for the sport that is manageable and effectively supervised by the FEI and National Federations.

Increased levels of participation, a greater number of events and improved standards are to be encouraged. The National Federations, athletes, trainers, officials and organisers must adhere to and promote the highest Clean Sport standards and meet the FEI’s Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse at all events.

The plan is specifically designed to meet the needs of Endurance as a growing sport with the potential to attract more athletes while continuing to promote the FEI’s objectives on the global stage. It should encourage an environment in which riders and horses compete in a spirit of partnership and fair play according to the requirements of the FEI’s Clean Sport policies and where the welfare of the equine athlete is paramount.

The Strategic Planning Group will provide recommendations for consideration by the FEI General Assembly.

The Group’s first conference call will take place this week and the first in-person meeting will be held in Dubai at the beginning of October.

Media contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

Community/Charity, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

One Year to Go to Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy

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Lausanne (SUI), 23 August 2013 – Today (23 August 2013) marks the one-year countdown to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy. In just 12 months, some 900 riders, drivers and vaulters and their horses from over 60 countries, 500,000 visitors, at least 1,500 media representatives, and thousands of volunteers will gather in Normandy for the world’s greatest equestrian event and the largest sporting event in France in 2014.

World championships in Jumping, Dressage and Para-Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Vaulting, Endurance and Reining will be held from 23 August to 7 September 2014 at venues in Caen, the prefecture of the Calvados department in north-western France, the country’s oldest national stud farm at Haras du Pin, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont Saint-Michel.

To celebrate the one-year countdown, the FEI has today launched an online history hub dedicated to the FEI World Equestrian Games which contains detailed information about each of the previous Games, starting with the inaugural edition in Stockholm in 1990, through to Kentucky 2010 and looking forward to 2014. Along with a summary of the Games’ most memorable moments, the website features key facts and figures, complete results, and extensive photo galleries.

“The FEI is working very closely with the Organising Committee of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy to ensure the best possible conditions for the athletes – both human and equine – the officials, numerous spectators, volunteers, and the media,” FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said.

“Two successful test events in Endurance and Eventing were organised just last week, and there is another one in Driving currently being held, followed by a chef de mission meeting next week. Preparations are on track as we enter the last organisational phase. We are confident that France, one of the world’s leading equestrian nations, will stage truly memorable Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy.”

Media contacts:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

*Featured/Spotlights, Endurance Riding, World Equestrian Games

Test Events for Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 Kick Off with Endurance

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Winners HE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (left) and Nikos, with HE Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum and Yamamah, pictured in front of the iconic Mont Saint-Michel at today’s Endurance test event for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy 2014. (Photo: Philippe Millereau KMSP)

Sartilly (FRA), 16 August 2013 – The test events for next year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games opened with Endurance in the Basse-Normandie village of Sartilly today, and it was HE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and Nikos who took the honours for the United Arab Emirates.

Bahrain’s Raed Mahmood, deputising for HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa who was sidelined by injury, was three minutes 28 seconds behind for the runner-up spot with Sandine Phoenix, while Oman’s Ahmed Al Hamdani and Raffale de la Fageole were some distance behind the two leaders to claim third, fractionally ahead of Spain’s Jaume Punti on Ramses de la Rotja.

A total of 58 horses representing 35 countries set out at 6.30am on the four-loop 129.3 kilometre course designed by Jean-Louis Leclerc (FRA), who skillfully incorporated the naturally occurring challenges of the Normandy countryside, including hills, forests and beaches. The scenic track wound past iconic landmarks, including the island commune at Mont Saint-Michel and the beautiful Abbaye de la Lucerne.

Sheikh Hamdan, who was a member of the gold medal winning team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA) and at last year’s world championships in Euston Park (GBR), was in the leading pack throughout today’s ride. Team mate HE Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum and Yamamah headed the front-runners until the Australian mare was vetted out for lameness at the final vet gate, leaving Sheikh Hamdan out on his own to claim a classy victory with the 12-year-old gelding, Nikos, returning to the land of his birth after training in Dubai for the summer.

“It was a very good course,” Sheikh Hamdan said after his win. “It was technically challenging and needed an experienced rider who thinks, and that’s what will be needed for next year too.”

Bahrain’s Raed Mahmood took over the ride on the Australian-bred Sandine Phoenix following the injury to Sheikh Nasser at Argentan (FRA) last month when the eight-year-old gelding fell, leaving his owner with a fractured wrist. But Sheikh Nasser was on hand in Sartilly to see his horse challenge for the lead and eventually claim second.

“It was definitely a technical course,” Sheikh Nasser said, “and we knew it wouldn’t be a fast track, but that’s what Endurance is all about.”

Ahmed Al Hamdani, a member of the Omani bronze medal team at last year’s world championships, was also riding a French-bred gelding, Rafale de la Fageole. The pair led the second group of horses across the finish line for third place, almost 45 minutes behind the winners, but just two seconds divided Al Hamdani and Spain’s Jaume Punti Dachs and Ramses de la Rotja in fourth.

The Spanish rider is celebrating after his wife Maria Alvarez Ponton gave birth to the couple’s third child last Saturday. The baby girl is called Anna, and her mother is hoping to defend her European title at the championships in Most (CZE) next month if she is fit enough.

Today’s Endurance competition was the first in a series of test events that will be staged by the organising committee in the build-up to next year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Eventing also started today with Dressage, and continues with the Cross Country at Haras du Pin tomorrow, while Driving takes centre stage at the Hippodrome in Caen next week (23-25 August).

“The test events are designed to test both the sport and the logistics and today has given us lots of valuable feedback,” said Fabien Grobon, CEO of the Organising Committee. “For Endurance it is important to provide a good course that tests the horses and riders, but keeps the welfare of the horse to the fore. We know that there are some things that we will have to change for next year, but we will work closely with the FEI and the National Federations to make sure everything is right for 2014.”

Ian Williams, FEI Director Endurance, was also pleased with the outcome of today’s competition. “It was a very good test event and did exactly what a test event should do, which is to highlight some of the very good aspects of what will be in place for the 2014 Endurance event, as well as identify aspects that need some work. Overall it has been an extremely good day that was very much appreciated by everyone who has been here.”

CEI2* Sartilly (FRA) test event – 1, HE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (UAE), Nikos, 6:14:34; 2, Raed Mahmood (BRN), Sandine Phoenix, 6:18:02; 3, Ahmed Al Hamdani (OMA), Rafale de la Fageole, 7:02:28; 4, Jaume Punti Dachs (ESP), Ramses de la Rotja, 7:02:30; 5, Brigitte Pinto (POR), Nita Lotoise, 7:09:51; 6, Mahmood Al Fori (OMA), Osmos, 7:09:54.

Full results are available at here.

Media Contacts:

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 Organising Committee:

Myriam Kimmel
kimmel@normandie2014.com
+33 671 938 481

FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133