Arabian Horse Intl Endurance Issue 1

Arabian Horse Intl Issue 1 - December2018

Endurance

Interview with Valerie Kanavy A legend called Nobby Gallops of India

Raquel Costa wins European Championship Arabian Horse Intl

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Arabian Horse Intl Issue 1 - December2018

Endurance

Editorial Dear Horse Lovers, Welcome to the first edition of Arabian Horse Intl Endurance!

From this issue we begin the online magazine only on Endurance Riding with a panel of some of the most important rides in South America, Spain, France, Italy, Namibia, South Africa, European Young Riders Championship etc.

As in our first issue of the magazine the interview was with Becky Hart, in this new phase the interviewee could not be another than Valerie Kanavy.

We could not fail to publish an article.about this WEG Endurance legend. Nobby and his rider Maria Mercedes Álvarez Pontón are the most successful Endurance partnership of all time.

Gallops of India from March 2nd to 10th 2019 - more than an equestrian adventure, a human adventure! Nature, discovery, authenticity, traditions, arts, emotions, taste for adventure, partying and friends are the keywords for this extraordinary adventure “The Gallops”!.

Just as we could not fail to publish the story of who experienced what happened in Tryon: Diary of a Fiasco: How FEI and the Organizing Committee turned the World Equestrian Games Endurance Competition into a living hell.

We hope you enjoy it and have a good reading!

Cid

Publishing Company RioSlum Productions / www.rioslumstudio.com 2800 Quebec St NW, apt 424, Washington, DC

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Cover

Raquel Costa Codina and Tunez Cost

Photo: Chantal Sikkink

Publishers: Cidinha Franzão, Favio Lorenz Art Directors: Pedro Jovelli, Cidinha Franzão Publisher Assistant: Nilza Felize Contributors: Cidinha Franzão, Marcelo Ulsenheimer, João Leonel Antocheski, Instituto Enduro Brasil, Martina Spelanzon, AUDEE, Andre Alvarez, RFHE, Nathalia Méndez Del Valle, Kristian Fenaux (RFHE), Manuel Ferrer Gómez, Prestige Cup Endurance Organisers, www.rockethorseracing.co.za/ MJ Swart, Sylvia Janbey - Osonjiva Hunting Safaris, FEI: Text by Katie Roebuck, Marcelina Sosnowska, María Carreño, Toscana Endurance Lifestyle, Paulo Junqueira (Cavalgadas Brasil), André Vidiz.

Photos: Cidinha Franzão, Favio Lorenz, Ricardo Saliba, Ralf Andreas, Stefano Iasi, Caíque Augusto, Revista Riendas (Willian Mesa), Francisco Boetsch Tagle, Chantal Sikkink Berta Barnils, Toscana Endurance Lifestyle, Daniel Fenaux, Josevi Fotografia, Anaïs Levé, Arion Concierge, Jours de Cheval, www. rockethorseracing.co.za/ MJ Swart; Sylvia Janbey - Osonjiva Hunting Safaris, Giorgio Biffi, Marcelina Sosnowska, María Carreño, www.gallopsofindia.com, André Vidiz, Scoopdyga/Jean-Philippe Martini, DigiShots/Leanjo de Kosteri,

contact@.arabianhorseintl.net

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08 08 Interview with Valerie Kanavy

14 André Vidiz wins second consecutive race

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Rodrigo Saliba dominates from end to end

24 Paraná returns to Endurance in great style!

30 Endurance of São Paulo ended its season in Dona Carolina. Highlight of this last stage was the Controlled Speed Brazilian Championship

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34 Nadia Fernandes Cid with FG Suavecita won Ladies Race at Bragado Endurance Festival

37 Punta del Este dressed up as a party to reward the best

40 Cristobal Schmidt Cup, last race in Llay Llay

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44 Raquel Costa winner of European Endurance Championship for J&YR 120 km

48 Having a tea with Raquel Costa

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58 52 Andrea Garcia, chamion of Spain Endurance Amateur 2018. Gold by teams for Galicia

54 Angel Soy, Alex Luque and Sara Zaymon winners in Ademuz

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Alex Luque wins Prestige Cup Endurance in Chantilly

64 Rosie Riall wins wildest horse race in the world

68 Walvisbay, Best of the Best Conditioned Horses

73 A legend called Nobby

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78 Festival de Enduro Villa de Leyva

82 HH Sh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Italy Endurance Festival: Strike for UAE’S riders

87 Gallops of India, more than an equestrian adventure, a human adventure!

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92 How FEI and the OC turned the World Equestrian Games competition into a living hell

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Valerie Kanavy

One of the world’s most recognized names in the endurance 8

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She’s been an active, competitive rider for more than 50 years, is a two-time World Endurance Champion and is a member of the American Endurance Ride Conference Hall of Fame. Of Fort Valley, Virginia, owns and operates Gold Medal Farms with her husband Larry and is a mother of three and grandmother of eight. Valerie first represented the USA at the 1994 FEI World Equestrian Games in the Netherlands, where she won the individual gold medal aboard Pieraz. In 1996, she earned the individual silver medal aboard TK Fire N Gold in Kansas, while her daughter, Danielle, won the gold aboard Pieraz. In 1998, Valerie galloped to the individual gold medal at the World Endurance Championships in the United Arab Emirates aboard High Winds Jedi.

She gives lectures and clinics all over the world and frequently hosts foreign riders at her home in Virginia, where she provides training and helps them to prepare for international championships.

The Kanavys also own and operate Trev-Dan Building Supply Co., in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania.

Name, age and place of birth.

Valerie Kanavy, 72, born California, USA When and why did you start riding? Tell us about your first horse.

I began riding around age 11 when I bought my first horse. I was always passionate about horses and desperate to have one. I saved money from doing jobs and bought one at age 11.

The first horse was a grey mare. I do not know her pedigree or what breed. She was arabian type, not too big and not heavily muscled.

How and when did you know the Endurance?

I didn’t learn about endurance until 1972 when I read an article about the Western States Ride (Tevis) in California. As a young girl, I had read all of Walter Farley’s Black Stallion books, was in love with Arabians and had bought a young mare (2 yrs) previously. I was training and fitting this mare for foxhunting and point to point races. I was intrigued by the fitness necessary to go 160 km. I wondered if my horse could be fit enough to do that.

What about endurance captured your imagination?

I have to say, I have had many wonderful experiences with endurance. Endurance has “carried” me around the world. It has allowed me to

visit many countries, to experience those countries and their people in a very close and personal way making many friends.

What was your greatest experience in Endurance?

I have had several unforgettable races. A race in Mississippi gave me confidence in my horses ability. Race of Champions and Arabian Horse Associations National Championships built strategy. Of course the World Championships were a big thrill.

How do you prepare yourself for the Endurance race?

Preparing for races is both physical and mental. When I was younger, I trained by both running and riding. As I’ve aged, I mostly ride. I have accepted the physical limitations that age gives but I am still able to compete somewhat successfully, it just means to modify my goals.

One race has not yet competed and one unforgettable race.

I am still competing endurance but not at the same intensity as I did when I was younger.

I do not have a “bucket list” ride that I need to compete in - I have ridden many places. I would like to go to Turkmenistan to see the Akhal Teke festival. It’s not an endurance event but does interest me. I have many unforgettable races. Most notably the three top World Championships I competed in.

What was your most challenging endurance ride?

Most challenging would be the race in 1998 in Dubai. There were so many horses and so many countries competing. It was also a big thrill to have won there.

Which horse has marked your trajectory, so far, in Endurance?

Of course Cash (Pieraz) with the win in 1994 hurled me into the International spotlight. I had been competing since 1972 and had ridden in many national races. I even visited Brasil offering to do a free clinic but as no one knew me Brazilians was not interested to hear from me. I did win many national races and top races here in the US. Some more information about him.

Cash was an Arabian gelding that I purchased from a small newspaper ad in Colorado while traveling with horses out west. He had a shaky beginning career with an injury to his suspensory ligament. He had a year of vacation to heal and then I rode him with care for another year. Even Arabian Horse Intl

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with slow races he finished well. As his fitness grew so did his speed. In his last full season of competition he did eight 160 Km races winning all but one and setting 3 course record times.

What titles have you won?

I was a two-time World Endurance Champion, was the 1999 American Horse Shows Association Horseman of the Year and won the United States Equestrian Team’s Whitney Stone Award. She has more than 20,000 career endurance miles under her belt, received the 2009 Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award and is a member of the American Endurance Ride Conference Hall of Fame.

You and your daughter Danielle have won three World Endurance Championships (1994, 1996 and 1998), tell us how you felt when your daughter was world champion.

Yes my daughter Danielle also won the world championship in 1996. I am very proud of her.

She began in endurance when she was 8 yrs old.

She is actually more competitive than me and at the time of the WC had more endurance wins in her record than me. The horse I was riding TK Firengold was actually her horse and the one she wanted to ride but the US regulations for choos10

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ing the team at that time did not allow it. So in one way it was a thrill that both of us could compete together but sad that we had to ride each others horses to do so. At the end of the day, we finished together, well ahead of the third place horse and that was quite a thrill.

In 2006 you were Chef d’Equipe of the US Team at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, tell us about this experience.

Being a chef in endurance was quite challenging. Endurance riders spend many hours alone training their horses. Most of the national races are about individual placings and awards so much of the challenge was having everyone work together. Aachen was also a different type race for Americans. Many paved roads and town traffic. Most American races are in the “wilderness” with little or no crewing access on the course.

I’ve been asked several times to consider being the chef again but to do so would mean none of my horses or riders could compete. I guess I’m just not ready to retire yet.

Besides Endurance, what do you do? Do you have other activity? Which one?

My life is wrapped around horses. I do like to travel to make new friends but do not like to be

away from my responsibilities at home for great lengths of time.

Do you have any superstition when you compete?

I said I don’t have any but then remembered - never say anything bad about another person’s horse because if you do you will have a problem with your horse.

Idols: Endurance and in life.

I don’t know that I have specific Idols. What I do have is admiration for those people who work hard and make something with their life. I have a hard time understanding or accepting people who make excuses or think the world owes them something. I think of them as parasites on society.

Hamilton Farm Photo Gallery

Photo: Becky Pearman

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Valerie and Larry Kanavy

Malaysia 2008 - Photo: Cidinha FranzĂŁo

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Valerie and Pieraz, WEG 1994 Photo: Courtesy

Photo: Becky Pearman

Uruguay Pan American Endurance Championship 2009 - Silver Medal by Team Photo: Cidinha Franzão

Uruguay Pan American Endurance Championship 2009 - Silver Medal by Team Photo: Cidinha Franzão

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André Vidiz wins second consecutive race After winning the CEI3 * 160 km race in Jaguariúna with Bondgirl Endurance, André Vidiz, this time riding Salaan de Maire, easily won the CEI2 * 120 km Senior, divided into five stages of 32.5 km, 26.5 km, 24 km, 21 km and 16 km of the National Endurance Competition and IV Stage of the São Paulo Endurance Championship, held on July 27 and 28 in Haras Albar, Campinas, São Paulo.

Vidiz and Salaan de Maire completed the 120 km with total ride time of 05:35:19 and an average speed of 21.47 km / h. It was followed throughout the race by José Caio Frisoni Vaz Guimaraes who rode Monalisa CRH (05:35:26 and 21.46 km / h) and Eduardo Xavier Barreto Júnior with Cabo Frio CSM (05:46:26 and 20,81 km / h).

Vidiz and Guimarães made the final loop with an average speed of 26 km / h, a historical record in endurance races in Brazil.

“It was a very challenging ride. Although we were in July it was almost summer heat. Here is a very broken trail with ups and downs and with difficult treads as well. The race was very difficult indeed, but with excellent horses. Up to the last loop we were four horses at the end with an average of 21 km / h under these conditions; a race that shows the level of Brazilian endurance. I was in the lead until the fourth stage and in the end I accelerated a little to distance myself from the others. In the last loop, I and Caio left practically together and we did together until the end, with an average of 26 km / h. But on arrival there were three corners in a row and in the first he was inside, the second I was inside and when I did I saw that his mare did not follow and then I distanced myself to finish first and win the race,” said Vidiz.

Of the four competitors of the race CEIYJ2 * 120 km, only Tiago Manetta B. de Lana riding Vendikar Rach (06:25:38 and 18.67 km / h) and Elisa da Silva Penna Chaves and HMR El Deb Arina (06:37: 05 and 18.13 km / h) completed the race. Luciana Rehder Toledo also finished, however her mount Domini Trio limped at the last vet check and was eliminated...

Lana won he race and Penna Chaves the Best Condition for HRM Deb Arina.

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Rafael Sabino Salvador and Uzes Trio were the winners of the CEI1 * 80 km Senior, divided in three stages of 32.5 km, 26.5 km and 21 km.

The set completed the track with a total ride time of 04:19:19 and an average speed of 18.51 km / h. Second place Paula Rehder Toledo with Fahir Palu (04:19:35 and 18.49 km / h).

Paulo Roberto dos Santos Macedo and Amon Ra SBV dominated the race until the middle of the last stage, when he was overtaken by Salvador. He completed the 80 km at 04:24:18 and 18.16 km / h. Fifth, Luciane Bagarolli and Safkhet SBV (04:36:08 and 17.38 km / h) that won the Best Condition of the category.

“The race was great despite being very hot.

It was a hard but very good ride to do despite the heat. Paulo Roberto was at the front and he decided to hold on a bit and we kept the pace; the horses galloped well and we were able to move ahead. The trail is very broken and very technical, but trails like this are good to do because it requires a lot of horse and rider to know when to hold and walk. Paulo dropped four minutes in front of me in the last stage and in the half I reached him and I passed and managed to keep up the pace until the arrival “, declared Salvador.

“Conquering the Best Condition prize was something I did not think of because all the horses were doing very well and I finished fifth.

Safkhet SBV is a difficult mare to work and almost gave up competing with her. This award is special because it is the appreciation of our work. I prefer to win the Best Condition, not that I do not want to win, but it means your horse did an excellent race and ended up in a better condition than the other competitors”, said Bagarolli.

In the race CEI1 * 80 km Young Riders category, Veridiana Balassa de Abreu also won her second consecutive race. Like Vidiz, she was first placed in the category in the Jaguariúna race with Puro Endurance.

In the Haras Albar race, Balassa rode Briska Endurance and completed the course in 04:19:14 with an average speed of 18.52 km / h. Besides the first place, they also won the Best Condition.

Second, João Paulo Nunes da Silva and Bint Balin

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Trio (04:19:16 and 18.51 km / h) followed by Izadora Creace and RSC El Hazzadd, third place.

“Briska is a new and somewhat distrustful mare and I’ve always had to stay alert. The trail is very technical, with climbs and descents, a lot of field and many stones that made her trip a lot, besides that the day was very hot because it has not rained for almost two months here in Campinas. And winning the Best Condition was the crowning of a well-done race, an excellent training and I just have to thank Léo Steinbruch for trusting me and all his team”, said Balassa.

In the CEN1 * 80km Senior category the winner was the French Camille Cargol Machado who rode Petrus Trio (4:56:06 and 16.21 km / h), followed by Naira Pesce Dias de Arruda Sampaio with Nefertiti SBV and Tiago dos Santos with Persik do Bom Viver, who finished second and third respectively.

In the Young Riders category the first place was conquered by the Paraná rider João Pedro Bornia Antocheski with Jales CRH. In second Charles Gabriel Nascimento Mendes and Roger RT followed by Leo Narce with Manowar Endurance.

Another who won the second consecutive race was Pedro Pupo Mastrorosa this time riding VG Fame, in CEN1 * 80 km Mirim category and second Emily de Souza Grijo with Tchecka Di Pscore JM. In the CEN 61 km Senior Short Distance, the winner was Felizardo Costa Brandão with Ambicioso, followed by João Leonel Antocheski from Paraná, who mounted Achilles SBV and third Pedro Junior Marcelino with Blue Master Rach.

In the Controlled Speed races the winners were: Adenilson Alves and Norpol CVV (40 km Adult); Rodrigo Storani Saliba with Lightyear Rach (40 km Young); Yolanda Teixeira Paes de Barros and AF Balerina (40 km Mirim); Claudio Roberto Bagarolli with Charlotte MRT (20 km Adult); Helena Haaland and Nadyah Serondella (20 km Young) and Henrique Vomero Daolio with Uine (20 km Mirim).

After the 20 km races, it was the turn of the children to give a show in the famous Endurinhos (Endurance for children up to 6 years), in which they are all awarded with medals; an incentive for future endurance riders.

It is worth mentioning the excellent structure of Haras Albar for endurance competitions, the best in Latin America and only comparable to the United Arab Emirates villages and x-Bionic 16

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Sphere of Šamorín, Slovakia; and the reception of the couple Carlos Augusto Paes de Barros and Samantha Almeida.

Text and photos: Cidinha Franzão

José Caio Frisoni Vaz Guimaraes / Monalisa CRH Camille Cargol Machado and Petrus Trio

Elisa da Silva Penna Chaves and HMR El Deb Arina (left) and Tiago Manetta B. de Lana on Vendikar Rach

Veridiana Balassa on Briska Endurance (blue vest), Paula Rehder Toledo with Fahir Palu (center) and Rafael Sabino Salvador on Uzes Trio

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Luciane Bagarolli and Safkhet SBV

Claudio Roberto Bagarolli with Charlotte MRT and JoĂŁo Vitor Bagarolli Rodrigues on Pantera

Pedro Pupo Mastrorosa and VG Fame

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Felizardo Costa BrandĂŁo with Ambicioso

JoĂŁo Leonel Antocheski and Achilles SBV

JoĂŁo Pedro Bornia Antocheski on Jales CRH

The Future of the Endurance: Endurinho

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Rodrigo Saliba dominates from end to end

Text: Cidinha FranzĂŁo / Photos: Ricardo Saliba and Cidinha FranzĂŁo 20

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The fifth Stage of São Paulo Championship also featured the National Endurance Competition of 120 km, 80km, 60 km and Limited Distance of 40 km and 20 km was held at Fazenda Nossa Senhora de Lourdes, Jaguariúna, São Paulo, Brazil, on Friday 7 September 2018.

Better known in Brazil by Barrel championships that are held there, Nossa Senhora de Lourdes Farm (FNSL) is now also one of the favorite places for endurance events.

At 6am the competitors of the CEI2* 123km Senior (divided in five stages of 32 km, 27 km, 23.5 km, 23.5 and 17 km), gathered for the most important ride of the day and at 6:15 am the Young Riders started.

Young rider Rodrigo Storani Saliba riding Mantineu Rach has dominated the race since the start and completed the CEYJ2* 123 km with a total ride time of 06: 34:59 and an average speed of 18,68 km / h and the Best Condition Award.

Elisa da Silva Penna Chaves who rode Violeta HEB maintained the second place near Saliba, and sometimes the two rode together. She completed the course in 06:54:28 with an average speed of 17,81 km / h.

Representatives from Brasília, brothers Rafaela Moreira Barreto riding Avignon Endurance (06:01:38 and 20,41 km/h) and Eduardo Savier Barreto Junior on Amon-Ra SBV (06:01:41 and 20,4 km/h), did the race together in the Senior Category, but Rafaela crossed first category and won the race. Third was the rider from São Paulo, José Antonio da Silva Machado with Valente HEB (06:18:14 and 19.51 km / h), followed by Rodrigo Moreira Barreto, from Brasília, riding Champagne Endurance (06:30:31 and 18.9 km / h).

At 7:30 in the morning the participants of the CEI1*/CEN1* 82,5km ride (divided in three loops of 32 km, 27 km and 23.5 km) started and 17 minutes later the Young Riders took off.

In the Senior category of the international race, Patrícia Bicudo Barbosa riding Play do Bom Viver finished first with total ride time of 03:44:09 and average speed of 22,08 km/h. Second placed Luiz Felipe Pupo Galvão Rossi on FRR Beat Boy (03:44:50 and 22,02 km/h) followed by Daniel de Oliveira Ferreira with Douro Trio and the famous TV presenter Maria Christina Lima Passaro who rode Papa Léguas in third and fourth place respectively.

In the CEN1*, Renato Quagliato Alves de Almeida who rode Dgenzir El Dinar maintained the first position since the start and won the race

Rafaela Moreira Barreto / Avignon Endurance

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in 03:57:32 with an average speed of 20.84 km/h, followed by Pedro Junior Marcelino on Araçaí Rach (05:06:22 and 16,16 km/h) and by the representative of Paraná, João João Leonel Antocheski riding Achilles SBV (05:07:42 and 16,09 km;h) in third.

In the Young Riders category, João Pedro Bornia Antocheski with Macanhis Endurance (05:07:30 and 16,1 km/h) was the winner and Eduardo Freitas Borges riding Vesta Apprentice (05:19:45 and 15,48 km/h) crossed second.

In the Mirim category, Pedro Pupo Mastrorosa with San José Cesareo (05:19:44 and 15.48 km/h) was the only participant and completed the race with tranquility.

Participants of the CEN 67.50km race, divided into three loops of 27 km, 23.5 km and 17 km, departed at 8:30 and the winners were: Felizardo Costa Brandão riding Eldarek in the Senior Category and Renato Storani Saliba with Daredevil Rach, Young Rider.

In the qualifying 40 km Senior: Eduardo Policastro with Kichute Endurance and Max Perlman Rabinovitz on Tigresa (Young); Open 20 km Mirim: Luana Meirelles von Planta on Spirit Cana Verde, at Senior category Ana Luísa Meirelles with Alabama Cana Verde and Carolina Rocca Borges with SB Tawil (Mirim category).

Patrícia Bicudo Barbosa and Play do Bom Viver

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Pedro Pupo Mastrorosa with San José Cesareo

Renato Storani Saliba with Daredevil Rach Renato Q A de Almeida and Dgenzir El Dinar

Martineu Rach wins Best Condition Award

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ParanĂĄ returns to Endurance in great style!

JoĂŁo Leonel Antocheski / Voltaire HEB

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After a troubled period in the Endurance of the State

of Paraná between the second half of 2017 and the first half of 2018, we organized two rides in the second semester that attracted riders from other states, who always honored us.

The first race was held on August 18 at Fazenda Santa Cruz, Cabanha Rio Bonito in Ponta Grossa, a place that is already traditional in the sport and has participated more than 40 riders.

Cabanha Rio Bonito stands out for being one of the best in the breeding of the Crioulo horse in Brazil and Fazenda Santa Cruz is located in Campos Gerais and gathers all the characteristics of the region. Formed by slightly undulating lands, stone-bottomed rivers, bush fields help to compose a charming landscape.

The winners of the first stage in each category were: CEN* 80 km Adult: João Leonel Antocheski / Voltaire HEB (05:05:19 - 15.88 km / h); CEN 63 km Adult: Rogério Nunes de Oliveira / Infinito do Rincão da Querência (Crioulo, 03:24:53 18.45 km / h); Short Distance YR: Artur Leonel Ulsenheimer / RG Kniaz (03:24:51 - 18.45 km / h); Qualifier 43 km Adult: Aguinaldo dos Santos Pinto / Esperança Endurance; Limited Distance 23 km Adult: Dicézar Zonato / Kilate and Limited Distance 23 km Young Rider: Andryu Gustavo da Rocha de Almeida / Cortez LM. The Paraná Team also participated in the Brazilian Controlled Speed National Championship, held at Fazenda Dona Carolina in Itatiba-SP, on November 10, with more than 12 sets, and we obtained first three places: Arthur Leonel Machado Ulsenheimer with RG Kniaz, first place Short Distance 60 km Young Rider; João Paulo da Rocha Loures Robell with Brunette CRH, Limited Speed Young Brazilian Champion; Gustavo Machado Ulsenheimer with Fenômeno da Rio Bonito, Limited Speed Mirim Brazilian Champion and third place with Bruna Cardoso Machado Martins with HGV Volliana.

On December 8 we organized the second and final stage of the Championship of the State of Paraná, in Chácara Trilha dos Sonhos, Colonia Witmarsum, municipality of Palmeira.

And Friday came and with it again the riders gathered: all talking in a cheerful atmosphere and enjoying the joy of reunion!

And to crown this moment, at the end of the day, a tasty barbecue! A great moment of fraternization to receive our friends from São Paulo (Haras Albar, Le Domaine, Dona Carolina, Fe-

Brazilian Controlled Speed National Champions

lizardo and Silvia, lacked the friends Mr. Jonas and family Bagarolli, who always prestige us), of Santa Catarina (Rogério and Leslie), from Rio de Janeiro (José Geraldo who at the last moment cannot come but sent his horse) and Rio Grande do Sul (Adriana).

After this time of the reunion party, a briefing to explain the tracks, soil, terrain, climate and the care that everyone should have for Saturday: the day of the race, the time for which everyone was there!

On Saturday morning the weather was different. The morning was cold, and the spirit of fellowship had also given way to the sporting climate; all focused on their goals, some presenting their horses to the veterinary team, others preparing the support site; the competitors of the 80 km race already preparing their horses for the start.

And so was given the start, some behind overcoming, others of victories and others still wanting to complete the race to qualify their animals.

Given the start, we reached the high point of our sport, the trails, and what trails! According to Carlito (Carlos Augusto Paes de Barros), in a ride on 2016, “the best trails in Brazil, if not the best in the world”. Practically 90% of the trail within a reforestation, with pleasant climate, good soil, flat trails and no vehicular traffic, a real spectacle for competitors and their horses!

During the race there is always tension for everything to go well, but in the end, wow! It was a success and everyone can complete their rides.

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At the end of the day, again a moment of encounter, awards, time to take a beer in Bierwit Restaurante and Choperia and say goodbye.

And the results of this second stage were as follows: CEN 80 km Senior: Felizardo Costa Brandão with Eldarek (04:32:45 and 17.69 km / h); CENYR 80 km: João Pedro Bornia Antocheski with Macanhis Endurance (04:52:14 and 16.51 km / h); Short Distance Adult 60 km: Arthur Leonel Machado Ulsenheimer with RG Kniaz (03:30:35 and 17.81 km / h); Short Distance Adult 40 km: Rogério Nunes de Oliveira with Infinito do Rincão da Querência (Crioulo, 02:04:44 and 20.88 km / h); Qualified 40 km Adult: Rosalina Cardoso Machado with Naomi CRH; Qualified 40 km Young: João Vitor Ferreira da Silva with Quirina do Bom Viver; Qualified 20 km Adult: Dicézar Zonato with Kilate and Qualified 20 km Young: Isabelle T. Zonato with Cortez LM. “In Paraná, when we arrive we are welcomed as if we were visiting a friend’s farm. The briefing is more than a presentation of the race, the track; is a meeting between friends, with barbecue and everyone talking about our friend horse. I even talked with Silvia (Eguchi) that I remembered the rides from years ago and I really like to race in Paraná and I have the pleasure to go because it gives me the pleasure of riding, the pleasure of the track and the pleasure of the competition”, said Felizardo Brandão.

Time for everyone to return to their home and to miss this moment, a good nostalgia for wanting to be present again on February 16, 2019 in the First Stage of the Paranaense Endurance Championship in Cabanha Rio Bonito, by Rui Demeterco, who always welcomes us with open arms for believing that the sport attached to the horse is a healthy sport that unites the family.

After all we are several families that form the great Endurance family!

By 2019 we have four scheduled rides. (February 16, June 08, September 7, and December 7).

Let’s focus our rides in the Campos Gerais Region (50 km far from Curitiba), where the weather allows us to organize rides in the hottest months of the year and where the topography is great for the horses.

The rides happen practically within reforestation, with exceptional conditions for the practice of Endurance, since the trails are practically exclusive for the riders. We can say, with pride, that few States have this condition of trail and climate for the Endurance.

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Felizardo Costa Brandão with Eldarek

JoĂŁo Pedro Bornia Antocheski with Macanhis Endurance

Gustavo Machado Ulsenheimer / FenĂ´meno da Rio Bonito

Ederson Fernandes Da Costa / Hdm Satra Antonio Marcelino Gomes Neto / Lg Be Gold

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Text: Marcelo Ulsenheimer and JoĂŁo Leonel Antocheski (Endurance Directors of FPrH) and Cidinha FranzĂŁo. Photos: Ralf Andreas

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Endurance of SĂŁo Paulo ended its season in Dona Carolina.

Highlight of this last stage was the Controlled Speed Brazilian Championship

Source: Instituto Enduro Brasil / Photos: Stefano Iasi and Caique Augusto 30

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Endurance of São Paulo closed the year with a golden key! The last event of the 2018 season had the participation of 113 binomials that left on Saturday, November 10, for the VI Stage of the Paulista Championship. Along with this stage also occurred with the Brazilian Championship of Controlled Speed, for the rides of 40 km and 20 km.

The spectacular Fazenda Dona Carolina Hotel, located in Itatiba (SP), hosted the closing of the Championship.

The weather was one of the highlights of the day, starting with mild temperature, then the temperature was raised and at the end of the race a light rain that was not enough to erase the mood of all participants.

Riders from six to 70 years competed in the races that had four distances: 80 km and 60 km; Controlled Speed of 42 km and 26 km, in the categories: Mirim, Young Rider and Adults.

The winners in the categories CEN1* 80 km Senior and Young Riders were Telmo José de Sousa Gois who mounted Giorgio Mor Gazek and Rodrigo Storani Saliba with Mozart respectively.

Telmo José de Sousa Gois and Giorgio Mor Gazek In the Short Distance Race 60 km Thiago de Freitas Martins riding Royal do Bom Viver was the first placed in the Adult category; the Paraná rider Arthur Leonel Machado Ulsenheimer with RG Kniaz won the Young Rider category and

Rodrigo Storani Saliba with Mozart the first placed in the Mirim category was Pedro Pupo Mastrorosa who rode Mylla Bey HVP. The Controlled Speed Brazilian Championship awarded the best individual highlights and by State Team.

The Brazilian Champions of Controlled Speed were: 40 km Adult: Flavio Daccache with Costa Azul Endurance; 40 km Young: Helena Haaland riding Nadyah Serondella; 20 km Adult: Leonardo Dias Moreira de Abreu with Tamuz El Dinar; 20 km Young: João Paulo da Rocha Loures Robell with Brunette CRH and 20 km Mirim: Gustavo Machado Ulsenheimer with the Crioulo horse Fenômeno da Rio Bonito.

In the Team Championship, riders from the states of Paraná, São Paulo and Minas Gerais participated. The champion team was from the State of São Paulo composed by the following groups: Flavio Daccache with Costa Azul Endurance (Adult 40 km); Izadora Creace with HDM Ale (Young 40 km); Rene Penna Chaves Neto with Charlotte MRT (Adult 20 km) and Valter José Pascotto with Luna VJP (Adult 20 km).

Together they totaled 216.35 points, followed by the Minas Gerais team with 209.56 and Paraná with 182.47 Together they totaled 216.35 points, followed by the Minas Gerais team with 209.56 and Paraná with 182.47.

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After the races the hosts Zezo and Pedro Marino offered a wonderful feijoada for all the attendees in the event that culminated in the awards and a great celebration party between the competitors and the general public.

The Paulista Championship is organized by IEB - Instituto Enduro Brasil - with the seal of FEI, CBH and FPH. During the party IEB President Léo Steinbruch thanked IEB for endurance riders and their board for the year they are finishing. He also announced some plans for 2019, in which the state of São Paulo will have eight races, including the Brazilian Championship to be held at Haras Albar in Campinas (SP), on August 3 and 4. Another novelty will be the Brazilian Masters Championship, which will have a distance of 70 km reserved for riders over 45 years old and should happen in the June race at the Nossa Senhora de Lourdes farm in Jaguariúna (SP).

Arthur Leonel Machado Ulsenheimer with RG Kniaz

Thiago de Freitas Martins riding Royal do Bom Viver 32

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Pedro Pupo Mastrorosa with Mylla Bey HVP

Flavio Daccache with Costa Azul Endurance Gustavo Machado Ulsenheimer and FenĂ´meno da Rio Bonito

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Nadia Fernandez Cid with FG Suavecita won Ladies Race at Bragado Endurance Festival

Text: Martina Spelanzon / Photo: Favio Lorenz

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The first FEI event ever-held in Bragado, Buenos Aires, Argentina, was completed on September 22, 2018.

The Bragado Endurance Festival (BEF, for its acronym) was in charge of and organized by the Bragado Endurance Club. Whereas, Chacras del Bragado sponsored and hosted the three-day event (Sep 20th till 22nd) at its large facilities.

The Argentinian teams particularly enjoyed a professional as well as a relaxed atmosphere, since not only did they compete but also share a long weekend among friends recalling previous races held in different parts of the country. Likewise, the settings offered peace and tranquility to all horses. The joyful faces, the great number of important prizes, the new HR system (hired from Uruguay) and the viewing of live race results with the Yamamah App made this international event date a unique one in Argentina.

The first start was given on Thursday morning, which ended with the classification of 14 horses in the 40 and 80 km qualifiers. Later in the afternoon, the pre ride for CEI* Seniors and YR took place. While the CEI* Ladies Race by Setzi Saddles was held on Friday. Saturday was allocated to CEI* and CEI** Seniors and YR. At this event Argentina landed a record for a total number of 116 horses during the two race days.

Friday, at 7:00 AM, 26 riders started the all-female 100-km race by Setzi Saddles. It was divided in 4 loops (33km, 25km, 22km and 20km for the last respectively). The winner was Nadia Fernandez Cid riding FG Suavecita, in a post-race interview the rider described her horse as being “very energetic and very pleasant to work with every day. When we choose this race for her we designed a training program that demanded more speed on courses similar to those in Bragado.

Our aim was to finish among the first 5 competitors, but she surprised us and went on to the last loop as if she had not started the race. The race was not easy, the trail had a little bit of everything and the high temperature did not give respite.”

Regardless of the heat and starting the last loop in the 4th place and 5 1/2 minutes behind the lead, they took the gold doing 28.2 km/h in the last loop, and 22.6 km/h average speed in 100 km, followed by Azul Caronia with SCH Periquita with a top avg for the last loop also; the 3rd position went to Juliana Nuñez riding ZT Maglasy.

At 8:00 and 8:15 AM the two CEI* categories were released, leaving Francisco Larrere with LM Beretta as the winner of the senior event, the second place was for Carlos Leguizamon riding RO Edipo who also won Best Condition, and the 3rd place went to Eduardo Rodriguez with ER Muñeca. In the junior race the gold medal was for the stud farm Haras Los Estribos and her rider Maria Pilar Zannino with her strong horse RO Maximo, who kept the BC, she was trailed

by Kevin Irastorza (2nd) riding Moro Logico, and Paulina Berriel, from Uruguay with BM Sinfonica (3rd).

On Saturday, with humidity and heat ramping up to much higher readings than the previous days, the LD race of the festival had its early start, CEI** Young riders at 7:00 AM and 7:15 AM for seniors. Agustin Vita, the winner of this race and also Best Condition for the last category, told us his 2018 BEF experience “the organization of the race was fabulous: loops, trails and vet gates. The 120 km race with my horse RAS Gin was very difficult, the weather was hot and humid, but fortunately he was set to shine and by imposing himself against high-ranked horses and riders

Agustin Vita and RAS Gin

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he proved to be up to the circumstances. I am very happy and grateful to Gin and my whole team who worked hard for attaining these successful results”.

The silver medal was for the World Cup pairing Beatriz Muriel and Box Trabuco, followed by Juliana Nuñez riding RO Mistica. As per the young rider category, the first place was for the Bragado own rider Felicitas Figueras and her experienced horse Bragadense Pamperito. “It was a hard race due to the intense heat and humidity, but my horse never loosened up and took most of the race alone. I really enjoyed these 120 km because Pamperito is my favorite horse, I did a lot of races with him, and to be winning on these tracks that I know so well was an immense joy. Happy to have been part of the first FEI race organized in my hometown, which has been carried out under a sound organization”. Thirty five minutes after Felicitas, Camila Sanchez riding Fortuna XR arrived, followed by Paulina Berriel from Uruguay with ZT Maggie.

The CEI* Senior gold medal on Saturday was for Francisco Larrere once again, but this time with LM Lagertha leading the whole race, he was trailed by Yair Manno riding AR Thiago, who won BC as well; the 3rd place was for Joaquin Sanchez Charro with RAS Babilonia. Meanwhile, the Junior race was led by Alejo Rossi and his horse AR Clarito who earned the competition’s BC. Valentin Rcubino riding Bello Noel finished second, and Camila Esteras with Dream Love AG pulled off the 3rd place of the race.

Francisco Larrere / LM Beretta 36

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Francisco Larrere / LM Lagertha

Maria Pilar Zanino / RO Maximo

Martin Stirling riding LG Lejamsi

Punta del Este dressed up as a party to reward the best Source: AUDEE and photos by Revista Riendas Arabian Horse Intl

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Punta del Este dressed up as a party to reward the best On the 12th and 13th of October the tenth date of the National Championship was held at the headquarters of AUDEE (AsociaciĂłn Uruguaya de Enduro Ecuestre) located in Punta del Este in the department of Maldonado.

This event had two international competitions (FEI) one CEI* 80 km and another CEI ** 120 km with its two corresponding categories, Senior and Young Riders.

The Sociedad de Criadores de Caballos Arabes del Uruguay (Society Arabian Horses Breeders - SCCAU) together with AUDEE carried out the first stage of the SCCAU Cup. Cup that will reward the best Arab horses participating in the last three endurance races in Uruguay.

In the CEI** 120 km Senior the winner was Martin Stirling riding LG Lejamsi with a ride time of 05:05:13 and average speed of 23,63 km/h followed by Michael Sosa on ASHVA Trueque and Fernanda Villar with ASHVA Feivida in second and third place respectively.

Joaquin McAlister on AR Espiritu was the winner in the Young Rider category followed by the Sanchez’s sisters Ema riding IFO LR Rajo and Camila with HSJ Ilham.

In the CEI* 80 km Senior ride, Federico Ferber mounting One finished in first place. Camila Fiandra on Parda Flora crossed second and Ignacio Flores with Caprichoso LP third.

Among the Young Riders the first place went to Valeria Diaz on Desalmado followed by Micaela Vigorito with SM Belpo and Ezequiel de Armas riding LR Farid, second and third places.

At the end of the competition, the award ceremony was held with the participation of many spectators. The AUDEE president, Cdor.

Heber Viana, in the presence of all those present, thanked HH Sheik Mohammed Bin Rahid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and his whole family for the tireless and important support received year after year on behalf of the entire Uruguayan family.

It began at seven in the morning local time and had the participation of more than 60 binomials and more than 1000 people actively participating.

It was a very close competition from the beginning in its massive start to the end giving a great show in the arrival defining at high speeds 38

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two of the winning binomials.

The company of the good weather contributed to the best way to show off the beautiful scenery, allowing all the binomials to show off and enjoy a high level competition. The tracks had beautiful natural views of Punta del Este.

His Highness Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup The event was called His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup, because those who won the first place in the 120km competition in the Senior category would be awarded the chance to participate in one of the most important events of the World Endurance: the HH Sheik Mohammed Endurance Cup on January in Dubai.

Federico Ferber mounting One

From left to right: Marta Moreno, JosĂŠ Segundo, Olivia Strauch, Heber Viana and Luis Puig

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Cristobal Schmidt Cup, last race in Llay Llay The third and last event in Llay-Llay, Copa Cristobal Schmidt 2018, has finished on 29 of September with an excellent number of participants.

The course changed a little bit in comparison with the two last races. This time all categories began with some mountains and tricky parts to finish on very flat and fast loops.

The first ones to be released where the riders of the CEI** 120 km. They had to woke up with a heavy rain and get wet thru the first kilometers.

It is said that Llay-llay is the plural of wind in Mapudungun, however, despite being a sector accustomed to strong winds, nobody was prepa40

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red for AS Ciclรณn. Eduardo Baeza riding on this excellent horse made the CEI** 120 km Senior category easy. Despite of competing against great horses and riders, Eduardo did not doubt in the capacities of his horse and he decided to make his own career. He started first in all the loops, making recoveries of no more than two minutes.

Running alone on an impressive track maintained the same pace and won first place overall. Nicolas Schmidt Gonzalez riding Malboro finished second.

Again Micaela Torres riding Dominga took the

podium with the first place in the Young Riders category. Winning from end to end, averaging about 19 km/h per loop until the last stage where it was noted that she kept her horse all the time until she considered the right moment. And she did the last loop over the average 24.67 km/h.

It should be noted the accumulated recovery times of the entire race were only 00:05:40! Congratulations to Micaela, her mare Dominga and the whole team.

By the hours come passing by, the sun shows up giving all the attendance a beautiful day.

On CEI* 80 km Senior category the first loops were very fast, but the rising sun and the humidity made riders take precautions about their strategies. In this category Rodolfo Fuenzalida riding Leo won the race from the beginning. He came first on every loop until the end doing an average of nearly 23km/h.

Rodolfo started first, proposing speed from the first kilometer; closely followed by CristiĂĄn Herrera on Secreto and Carlos Letelier on EO Shadwa little further back. Although his recoveries were not striking typical of a winning horse in such a competitive category, Leo compensates with speed on the track.

In addition to the speed exhibited this binomial was awarded with the Best Condition for the excellent conditions in which it was presented after winning this difficult and competitive race.

In the CEIYR * they left few but well. It is rare to see in FEI categories and with good speeds that 100% of the participants will successfully complete the circuit. This was the occasion, where also the 5 binomials ran at par. Pia Cerpa who stayed in the 3rd place the whole race ran in the last 20km on the back of Alcazar Canelo with an average speed of 22.38 km / h and won the category.

In the other races the results were: Ernesto de La Fuente Fuenzalida on Maite Lucy (CEN* 80 km Senior); Carlos Silva Escobar on Hady (CENYR* 80 km); Francisco Boetsch VicuĂąa on Columba (CEN* 60 km Senior); Fernanda Torres Horta on Tabacon GC (CENYR* 60 km); Isabel Bachelet Coto on CZ Sarai (40 km Senior); Amelia Larrain on HF Wafiq (40 km Young Rider) and Esteban Galdames Casorzo on Kimal (20 km) After the race the Schmidt Family organised an entertaining barrel competition with some Reining Riders from nearby in the district.

Text: Andre Alvarez / Photos: Francisco Boetsch Tagle Arabian Horse Intl

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Eduardo Baeza and AS Micaela Torres and Dominga

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Pia Cerpa on Alcazar Canelo Rodolfo Fuenzalida riding Leo

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Photo: Chantal Sikkink 44

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Raquel Costa winner of European Endurance Championship for J&YR 120 km Third consecutive gold for the team of Spain in the European Junior Endurance Championship.

Spain is the Endurance Queen: it means gold medal in the FEI Meydan Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors 2018 (Pisa, Italy).

The Spanish team with its third consecutive gold medal shows a new generation of future champions. The Spanish team that was champion was formed by Raquel Costa Codina with Tunez Cost; Bruna Pujols Aumatell with Ulkiem Kelenn and Martina Codina Sala Planell with Cs Rogelia.

In addition, Spain also won the individual title and the Best Condition Award, thanks to Raquel Costa Codina and Tunez Cost.

Magnificent performance of the Spanish Jr & JJ endurance team that wins the two gold medals of the European Championship of Raid Jr & JJ 2018, with individual victory for Raquel Costa and Tunez Cost and by teams thanks to the fourth and seventh place of Bruna Pujols with Ulkiem Kelenn and of Martina Codina with CS Rogelia.

Very hot in San Rossore and its Migliarino Natural Park (Pisa, Italy) on Thursday July 26th for the European Championship of Raid Jr & JJ 2018, over a route of 120 kilometers in 4 phases. A 6 in the morning, 49 pairs representing 18 countries started for the race. Spain was represented by Martina Codina with CS Rogelia, Raquel Costa with Tunez Cost, Rocío Herrera with Alyz de Candesir, Jana Oms with SW Duo and Bruna Pujols with Ulkiem Kelenn.

From the first phase a leading group was formed in which were the 5 Spanish pairs, the Slovaks Lucía and Michaela Supekova and the French Arnaud Tomas and Emma Frances, running at more than 22 km / h of average speed, followed very closely by the other three French binomials. Behind came the British and Norwegians,

followed by the Austrian Häfele and the Hungarian Szösz.

In the second phase the differences between the groups increased with the passage of the kilometers, but in the vetgate Alyz de Candesir did not pass the trot, being in a leading group now in 8 pairs, with Arnaud Tomas and Scherazade Larzac passing first, in front of Bruna Pujols with Ulkiem Kelenn, Emma Frances with Quokin from PSA and Raquel Costa with Tunez Cost.

In the third phase the first 4 passed the vetgate in the same order. In this vetgate the French lost 2 binomials of the second group, one in the trot and another that did not reach the finish line, and Irish, the saddle of Lucia Supekova, also failed the trot.

In the decisive phase they ran at an almost impossible pace, just over 26 km / h despite the heat, and in a final sprint Raquel Costa and Tunez Cost entered winners, after recovering in the last meters of the race a lead of more than one kilometer , surpassing Michaela Supekova with Girola de Quercus, Lilou Tomas Arnaud with Scherazade Larzac, Emma Frances with Quokin de PSA and Jana Oms with SW Duo. The first 3 recovered within the time, not so Quokin de PSA that did not pass the final control. To 8 minutes Bruna Pujols and Ulkiem Kelenn entered to take the fourth position, and a little later, with the seventh place of Martina Codina and CS Rogelia, the Spanish team also won the Gold Medal for Teams, in front of Italy with the Silver Medal, being without the Bronze Medal because no other team managed to classify 3 or more binomials.

Spain won the individual title, thanks to Raquel Costa Codina (Tunez Cost). The silver individual medal goes - for the first time - to Slovakia with Michaela Supekova (Girola de Quercus).

The French Lilou Tomas Arnaud (Scherazade Larzac) reached the bronze.

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Silver medal by team goes to Italy’s Niccolò Trotta (Quassia Distinta), Carola Dino (Colorado), Camilla Coppini (Alkimia), Valentina Galli (Agadir

by Galuska) e Aurora Salvati (Nevosu). This result confirms the silver medal reached in 2016.

bottle, but I am sure she has a “bon coeur”, declared Lilou Tomas Arnaud.

“I am the head of the Italian team since two months. Since the first day my keyword was “the team first of all”. We were competitive and we fought together until the end”, said Italian Chef d’Equipe Fausto Fiorucci. ¡Enhorabuena Campeonas! Congratulations, Champions!

Source: RFHE – Photos: Berta Barnils, Chantal Sikkink, Toscana Endurance Lifestyle

Ignasi Casas, Head of Spanish team, said that “Spain team is a family. We are lucky because we can work together all the days and we live near in Cataloña. Endurance is a philosophy of life and the girls are hard worker. This is the third consecutive gold medal team at the Continental Championship, a result due to the importance of Endurance in Spain. Raquel, our individual gold medal was extraordinary and kept calm until the end”.

The champion Raquel Costa, said: “I can’t believe, it is like a dream came truetea. I have done my best, trusting in my horse. Tunez Cost was born at home so we grow up together. My team is my family e we enjoyed a lot. I thing the finish line makes the difference.”

“I can’t believe to be the individual silver medal. This is the first Endurance Slovakian title and my first European Championship. My team is formed by: my sister and me, but of course our family is always present. The most difficult part in the truck has been the last loop, because it was a little bit different from the other ones and my horse was not used, but I am really happy”, said Michaela Superkova.

“I have decided the strategy race with my team-mate Emma Frances. We start following the Spanish team until the finish line. Scherazade Larzac has a hard character and hates the plastic 46

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Lilou Tomas Arnaud and Scherazade Larzac

Fausto Fiorucci

Michaela Supekova with Girola de Quercus

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Having a tea with Raquel Costa byNatalia Méndez Del Valle

Today I bring you an interview that I was very excited to do. Today she sits down to have tea with me, nothing more and nothing less, than Raquel Costa, the European Junior Champion of Endurance. Talk about your past, present and future. So I do not entertain you anymore and ...

I serve tea!

Raquel, tell us a little about your beginnings in the World of Riding. In your city. In your area.

My father has horses since I was little and gradually he taught me how to ride. I started jumping and in the end I chose the Endurance because in my area there is much more passion for this discipline.

Tell us about the people who have influenced your sporting evolution during these years. Surely there is that “someone special” that has taken you to the point where you are now.

Over the years there are many people that you learn from, but the most I think I have learned are my father and Paula Muntalà. For those who do not know much about the discipline, Paula Muntalà is another rider of Endurance, of the Senior category, in fact she was Champion of Spain 2017 in the Absolute of Raid.

Tell us about your horses. Any funny anecdote that has happened to some of them?

The other day I ran an endurance race and we went through the forest and I was full of caterpillars. The insects give me a lot of disgust and I started to scream like a crazy woman, what a bad thing it happened, the horse flipped and the others that went with me too. This is what the disciplines that are developed in the field have.

Although it must be said that those landscapes, without caterpillars, are incredible.

I would like you to tell us something, whether in competition or not, that has marked you for good. What has taught you.

I think that what I have learned the most is the falls. The more you fall, the more you learn.

And of course ... Some “less good” circumstance that has let you know that “on that path there is no need to continue”.

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There are many moments in which you learn things. But one of the things that I have learned, that has marked me more, is that if you are in a race and at some point you see that your horse is tired you do not have to force it, because it can end very badly. It is not a thing that has happened to me, since whenever I have seen that my horse is tired I have respected it, but I have seen it in others.

Before asking you the following questions, I want to congratulate you for your individual and team gold, along with Bruna Pujols and Martina Codina, in the last European Endurance Championship. From Spain we have lived with great enthusiasm and we have sent you all the strength possible.

Tell us a bit how you have lived this championship, what you feel when you pass the line and while everyone shouts “gallop” and applaud you, you are aware that you have won. That this gold is yours.

When we reached the finishing line I never thought about what I could win. We were five horses but in an instant I thought I had to try and I started galloping and galloping. At that time I did not think or hear anything. I crossed the finishing line and I could not believe it, it was like a dream and when I went down I found all my team there, crying, applauding. It was very exciting, a dream come true.

I imagine that this is not coincidence. How did you prepare to compete the European?

And your horse? Do you run something “more affordable” before the whole team?

I trained both alone at home and with the whole team together. Before going to European we did not run anything, but we did train together..

How did you feel the other half responsible for the triumph? At NMV Horses we always talk about how important our friend is. In this sport, the team is formed by two beings, human and animal. A few words for them!

Anything of this could not have happened without my horse. He deserves all the merit of triumph. During all that day he did it super well.

How have you lived these days with the Team? At Endurance we know that all the people who support you in the race are very important.

We have spent some very exciting days as they are some days in which you live many different emotions (nerves, joy, tension ...)

After the European what do you have planned for your sporting calendar? Next goals?

Right now I do not know; only to prepare horses for other races.

The blog was born from a personal project.

Since I was 10 years old I compete and since the 9th I ride, that translates into a whole life on horseback and between horses! I wanted to tell the world curiosities, training and aspects that all horse lovers can be interested in.

In the Sunday section I wanted to do something special. I wanted to put the icing on the week ( just like the icing on the cake) and so was born “having a tea with ...”

I do not want it to be an exclusive blog, but a space that nurtures all those who learn every day with horses (who never stop learning) and this section was born, which besides being very beautiful is a great challenge, since every week we have a new interview, but this makes us work very hard and that “the Team does not stop”.

Natalia Méndez del Valle - www.nmv-horses.com Photos: Berta Barnils

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Andrea GarcĂ­a, champion of Spain Endurance Amateur 2018.

Gold by teams for Galicia

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The Asturian rider Andrea García won the Spanish Amateur Championship of Endurance 2018 with SHEREZADE, in front of Madrilenians Amaya Suárez with CHURRUCA and Julia García with YKIWA-DE-BOX, respectively Silver and Bronze. By teams Galicia won Gold and Madrid won Silver.

On the weekend, July 7 and 8, the International Endurance of Xinzo de Limia (Orense) were disputed, with the Spanish Amateur Endurance Championship 2018 as a reigning event. In this race, a CEI/CEN2** of 122 kilometers in 4 phases, took the departure 22 binomials, at 7 in the morning of Saturday July 7.

In the first phase David Sanmarco and COT-FIONA went ahead and ran at over 20 km/h of average speed, and finished with a 5 minute advantage over a group of nine pairs, and more than 10 minutes over the others. In the second loop Adela Couder with RIU-FASHIONBROWN and Pablo Díaz with IARBEN-SAR, joined the leading pair and the three arrived together, with a lead of 4 minutes over a quartet formed by Rogelio Azorín with AIDGUAR-DE-BOZOULS, Jesús Muñiz with AINHOA-DJEL, Roger Soler with DJERDOR-DE-BOZOULS and Pilar Cortón with CRUELA- D’ABALUME. In the third phase the leading trio increased their advantage, but in the vetgate RIUFASHIONBROWN did not pass the trotting control. Andrea García and SHEREZADE arrived 6 minutes later, followed by Amaya Suárez and CHURRUCA, 3 minutes later, and a group of seven, led by Julia García with YKIWA-DE-BOX, between 12 and 15 minutes from the first. In the final phase the leading duo accused the efforts of the first phases and were overtaken by the other participants. Andrea García and SHEREZADE won alone with a 3-minute advantage over David Serrano with PERALTA-DE-VERDUN and Amaya Suárez with CHURRUCA and 6 more minutes over Julia García and YKIWA-DE-BOX, but in the final vetgate PERALTA did not pass the trot . By teams Galicia classified three binomials and won the Gold, while Madrid took the Silver.

In the Criterium of Veterans, on the same course as the CEI1 *, Felix Llorente won the race with BAYDA-TS, in front of Roberto Laherrán with BAMBALINAS-DE-CUETO and Pilar Expósito with SIGLO-BEAUTY. In the CEN/CEI1* with 29 pairs at the start, the victory went to Hector Vilaplana with HASSAN in front of Alex Ventura with VODKA-KOSSACK.

¡Enhorabuena a todos! Congratulations to all!

Text: Kristian Fenaux (RFHE) Photos: Daniel Fenaux Arabian Horse Intl

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Angel Soy (106) on For Trampes

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Angel Soy, Alex Luque and Sara Zaymon winners in Ademuz In what promises to be a place of international reference for Endurance, almost 100 riders and their horses gathered in the town of Ademuz, Spain on the weekend of 10 and 11 of November, 2018. Competitions included the prestigious Cup of His Majesty the King of Spain (CEI**), the ‘Ademuz Apple Trophy’ (CEI*), the second Military Open and local classifying competitions.

The population of Ademuz worked together with the organizing committee to prepare the installations and tracks. Top international riders; Julia Montagne (FRA), Rebecca Jane Pinder (AUS), Ángel Soy (ESP), Alex Luque (ESP), Peter Bastijns (BEL), all commented on the quality of the event and design of the course.

In the CEI* competition, Alex Luque, riding Belharra D Esquiria, imposed a clear lead from the start. With a final loop speed of 24.62km/h he came in with a 20 minute advantage over the second placed local Valencian rider Carlos Borja,

on Sheitan, Third place was also taken by a local rider, Sara Zaymon riding Caid du Barthas, and to whom the Al-Damus Ladies Cup was awarded for the first placed lady in the competition.

A group of 10 horses took control of the lead from the first loop in the CEI** competition. By the last loop a group of four remained consisting of local Valencian Pablo Hernandorena riding Aquiles, Selena González with Jadursi de Tusitala, Oriol Casals with Rohf Orion, Julia Montagne with Amadeo D’Eclipse and Angel Soy on For Trampes.

In the last loop Angel Soy went out a clear 5 minutes ahead of the rest of the group and completed the final 24km with a comfortable 25.65km/h speed to be crowned champion of the Kings Cup, 2018.

Pablo, Selena and Julia, aware of not being able to compete for first place, remained together in the final loop, until an error in reading the

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route markers by Pablo and Serena, gave Julia an opportunity to take second place, and the Al-Damus Ladies Cup for the CEI** competition.

Selena González with Jadursi de Tusitala, came in third position.

Albalat Endurance Team alongside the City Council of Ademuz and its Mayor and Endurance Judge, Angel Andres, will continue to work together to promote this Valencian locality as a top location for International Endurance Competitions.

Manuel Ferrer Gómez President of the Organizing Committee Photo: Josevi Fotografía

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Alex Luque, riding Belharra D Esquiria

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Alex Luque (Spain) riding Abha Quely and Khalfan Salman Hassan Al Sabri (UAE) riding Petit Myliar

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Alex Luque wins Prestige Cup Endurance in Chantilly

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The 1st edition of the Prestige Cup Endurance took place on Sunday 8th of July, at the heart of Chantilly Polo Club.

Last sprint between HH Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa (Bahrain) riding Al Ghali and the other finishers was stunning. Unfortunately, the 3 first riders and horses were eliminated after the final vet inspection.

Alex Luque (Spain) riding Abha Quely and Khalfan Salman Hassan Al Sabri (UAE) riding Petit Myliar took the 1st and 2nd places.

First French rider to finish the ride was Margot Thomas, riding Rsik Armor, on 4th position. 10 first riders went on the podium for the prize giving ceremony. Gaston Mercier, official partner of the Prestige Cup Endurance, offered a 2.0 endurance saddle (Prestige Cup design “limited edition”) to the 3 first riders.

The Prestige Cup organizing committee brings up a global circuit of 3 prestigious international rides aimed to enhance sport and high standard endurance events: KING’S CUP ENDURANCE - Bahrain Endurance Village - Kingdom of Bahrain. February 17th, 2018 ROYAL WINDSOR ENDURANCE – Windsor United Kingdom, May 11th, 2018 PRESTIGE CUP ENDURANCE - Chantilly Polo Club – France, July 8th, 2018 As we especially car about Sport level and quality, we decided to gather some of the best Endurance riders of the world, as ambassadors to take part in this adventure:

Allan LEON: French Endurance Rider, World Champion 2017 - Brussels, Belgium (7th individual), World Champion 2016 – Samorin, 60

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Slovakia (2nd by team), 23 CEI *** qualifications French endurance team member 2016-2017.

Sabrina ARNOLD: German Endurance Rider, European Champion 2017 - Brussels, Belgium, World Champion, Young Horses 2017 - Brussels, Belgium, World Ranking 3rd Rider, 1st at Castelsagrat & Montpazier CEI***.

Alex LUQUE: Spanish Endurance Rider, European team Champion 2017 - Brussels, Belgium, European Championship 2017 Brussels, Belgium (2nd individual), World team Champion 2016 - Samorin, Slovakia, World Championship 2016 - Samorin, Slovakia (2nd individual).

Three Commitments: Eco-responsibility: Preservation of tracks and crossed green spaces;

Reduction of the environmental impact and Development opportunities for the region.

Fair Sport: A strict application of FEI rules; Sport integrity and Fair play compliance. Cost efficiency: Costs and resources optimization; Stimulation of endurance horses market and Promotion of equestrian endurance through a new and positive image Moreover, the Prestige Cup was the most richly endowed ride in France. All riders’ entries’ fees have been redistributed to the competitors as prize money. The Prestige Cup Endurance is the only ride in France where ALL the finishers get their entry fee paid back.

At 7:30 morning on Sunday, 78 international riders started the ride to fight for the title.

The 120km ride was divided in 4 loops (36,3 km; 30,8 km; 34,5 km and 24,1 km) which passed through the « massif des 3 forêts » : Ermenonville, Halatte and Chantilly.

Every single rider signed the ride’s rules

before getting his bib at the show office. Noncompliance with one of those rules caused direct elimination of the rider. All the rules have been taken into consideration by the riders and their team. No elimination due to rules noncompliance.

Allan Léo: ”Those new rules are very good, it is the best way to increase rider’s responsibility and better management of the entire ride.

Organization water points were quiet which is better for horses’ composure. There was no stress, no people running and screaming everywhere, no crew cars that drive fast and make noise.

This kind of ride, which was the 1st in France, definitely represents Endurance’s future. We need to change Endurance and make this kind of rules systematics”.

120km top quality tracks has been appreciated by the riders even if the past weeks dryness made the ground very hard. Lots of eliminations after the first loop.

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The “fast line’” system in the cooling area has been used a lot by riders who wanted to reach faster the vet inspection. The idea is to wet the horse without stopping him from the dismounting area until the vet gate. There are organization big water buckets on the line; crews can use their 5L buckets to wet the horse. If they want to stop to give more time to the horse for cooling down, crews can use the other lines.

Riders did not give up until the end under a blazing sun. 40 riders and horses finished the race without being eliminated.

ECO RESPONSIBILITY The Prestige Cup Endurance Chantilly has been approved by EQUURES label which rewards high environmental and animal welfare standards.

The Prestige Cup Endurance Chantilly is the first equestrian endurance ride in the world to receive this label.

We know that our rules were constraining for the riders, but it is the only way to take our sport to a higher level.

We definitely show the entire world that IT IS POSSIBLE to change endurance rules to make our sport more fair and eco-responsible. We really hope that endurance rides organizers will support this new system in France and abroad.

ENTERTAINEMENT The Prestige Cup Endurance access was completely free for the general public.

Lots of free activities were offered to the public in the Village: Live music; Carriage ride; Kids sulkies; Pony rides; Kids make up; Treasure hunt; 1 ponies polo game; 2 horses polo games and shows and exhibitions Our commentator explained endurance rules in French and English to the public all day.

The GPS tracking was displayed on our giant screen at the heart of the exhibition village. It enables everyone to follow the race without being on the tracks.

See you next year for the 2nd edition of the Prestige Cup Endurance Chantilly!

We will keep you posted as soon as the date will be approved.

“The inspiration for the Prestige Cup came from International Endurance Riders who wanted to ride a new race close to Paris, with flat tracks, during the summer. There are plenty of Endurance races in Europe, so our intention is to offer a new kind of event with high level sport 62

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and entertainment both, in an outstanding venue.

The Prestige Cup’s ambition is to become an annual not-to-be-missed event for all endurance riders and for the region”, Nicolas Wahlen.

Sophie Delavaud

Photos: AnaĂŻs LevĂŠ, Arion Concierge, Jours de Cheval

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Rosie Riall wins Wildest Horse Race in the World

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On 19 October 2018, the young UK-based rider Rosie Riall triumphed as the winner of the second-ever Race the Wild Coast endurance horse race, crossing the finish line at the Kei Mouth ahead of 13 other international competitors to take home the honours.

Race the Wild Coast, which is sponsored by international apparel brand KTC and supported

by Striped Horse craft beer, is a new breed of long-distance horse racing set along the aptly named Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This year’s race was staged from 16-19 October 2018.

The race is organised by South African company Rockethorse Racing, which launched its first event in 2016. This complex, multi-stage race covers 350km of untamed wilderness and includes river and estuary crossings, narrow clifftop tracks, rocky paths, beach runs, and often adverse weather conditions - earning it the moniker of “the wildest horse race in the world”. From a technical perspective, it is certainly one of the most challenging endurance races in existence.

Says race organizer and co-founder Barry Armitage of Rockethorse Racing: “This year’s race was certainly tough and it’s an achievement just

to finish. We congratulate all our riders who traversed the rugged paradise that is South Africa’s Wild Coast. And we take our racing cap off to the winner. It was a tight finish, but Rosie pipped her mate Anna Boden to the line due to strategy, determination, sheer grit and excellent horsemanship!”

For the first time in the race’s history, other intrepid adventure sports enthusiasts from different disciplines were welcomed onto the field.

Legendary endurance trail runner Steve Black and adventure canoeist Clyde Barendse pitted their skills against those of the riders and raced the horses to the finish line, with Black running the trail and Barendse paddling across rivers and breakers. Future editions of the event will see other forms of endurance sport such as Mountain Biking also included in Race the Wild Coast.

Taking part in the 2018 edition were 14 riders in total: Anna Boden (UK), Daisy Soames (UK), Jamey Altman (USA), Katy Willings (UK), Iain Paterson (UK), Francisco Schnaas (MX), Courtney Kizer (USA), Catriona Paterson (CAN), Melissa Montgomery (USA), Chetta Crowley (AUS), Rosie Riall (UK), Hanna Bartnick (USA), Julie Eldridge (USA), and Mohammed Nasser (UAE).

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No South Africans took part in this edition, but the 2016 race was won by South Africa’s own Monde Khanyana who beat an international field that comprised a high number of Mongol Derby veterans, including the 2014 Mongol Derby winner, Australian Sam Jones, who came second in the 2016 South African race.

During Race the Wild Coast 2018, the constantly changing conditions due to rain and wind on the first two days resulted in frequent alterations to the leader positions. Horse and rider had to work together to overcome obstacles.

At times riders grouped together as teams, with the trailing pack working together to catch up to the leaders. Melissa Montgomery (USA) impressed fans on Day 2 by catching up with the leading pack after a tough river crossing despite a fractured left wrist. Other riders were not so fortunate, with Hanna Bartnick withdrawing on Day 3 after an injured ankle affected her ability to ride. Mohammed Nasser withdrew on Day 4 due to an injured knee. Julie Eldridge was unfortunate to have her third horse (the riders change mounts at various stages) vetted out at the Bulungula vet check but continued the race as a non-competitor after mounting a spare horse.

Covering 80km per day, the race took place over 12 stages. At the end of each stage, horses were thoroughly checked by Rockethorse Racing’s own head vet as well as SPCA vets to ensure that the animals remained in top condition. The horses’s health is paramount and time penalties

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are incurred for overworking the horses, which can seriously impact the leaderboard.

The horses were sourced from local endurance stud Moolmanshoek run by Wiesman Nel. The mounts included three types: pure bred Arabian horses for speed, Arabians crossbred with local Boerperde for their hardiness and temperament, and pure Boerperde suited to the tough conditions of the Wild Coast.

The terrain of the race varies. It spans hard sand on beaches with outgoing tides; coastal hills cut by ravines that often require leading the horses; tight forested tracks; and soft sand where haste could result in tendon injuries. Not to mention several river swims…

While thrilling, this arduous enterprise forces riders to keep a steady pace while reading the immediate landscape for the fastest or most efficient route – never knowing what might come next. It is not known as the “wild” coast for nothing…

Endurance horse racing is a growing genre of adventure racing internationally, and South Africans are no strangers to the sport. Armitage himself won the Mongol Derby in 2017. Race the Wild Coast blends the spirit of the frontiersman and the modern horseback adventurer – a test of endurance, horsemanship, survival and navigational skills across an iconic wilderness – and is making its mark as a global sporting classic.

Source: http://rockethorseracing.co.za/ MJ Swart

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Best of the Best Conditioned Horses

Photos: Sylvia Janbey - Osonjiva Hunting Safaris

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Walvisbay FEI 2* 122 km and FEI 1* 90 km International Endurance Championships held on 29th August 2018 for Nera Riders & FEI Riders. Race consisted of 4 legs: Blue Loop 40 Km; Yellow Loop 32km; Red Loop 32 Km and Green Loop 16 Km. The weather was a combination of very cold in the morning turning to very hot as the day progressed with a mild breeze blowing the entire day that turned very cold again late afternoon.

First loop of 40 km was the most difficult in the entire history of this race and the thick sand did not help the horses at all.7 Riders fell out after the first leg and leg 3 the Famous Dune 7 took its toll on most of the rest of Non Completion Riders as this was ridden during the hottest time of the day. The last leg of 16 km saw many riders walking and having to use their best riding skills to keep the horses positive and forward going as it consisted of +- 12 smaller dunes . In the end it was a very successful ride.

The International Competition between South Africa & Namibia in the following 4 Categories Junior / Standard Weight / Light Weight and Heavy Weight was won by South Africa but for the Standard Weight Category with the Team Manager George Wessels leading his team into a great success over South Africa.

Although South Africa won 3 of the 4 Team Competitions the Individual riders of Namibia performed much better then SA. To sum the race up in short all the European and Local Riders that completed the race said afterwards that this was the toughest race in their entire career.

Nera would like to thank each Sponsor who contributed to the success of the 2018 African Championships. Without our Sponsors we would not be able to have such an amazing Event! We are honoured to have continuous support from our Sponsors every Year for Endurance in Namibia.

The following 5 Horses won Best Condition with an overall Best of the Best 120 km Heavy Weight: Hendri Van Wyk & Shadow 120 km Light Weight: Shannon Parker & Llamrai Asara 120 km Junior: Lara Van Niekerk & Hurst Ronaldo 120 km Standard Weight: Renie Van Der Merwe & Gulilah Naghgaliet 120 km Child: Carmen Derks & Kalharabi CD El-Arab Best of the Best: Renie Van Der Merwe & Gulilah Naghgaliet

Results 120.0 km Heavy Weight

1 Van Wyk Hendri & Shadow - Best Condition Horse 2 vVan Zyl Samual & Lormar Rambo 3 Price-Moor Kevin & 5 Waterlea Wolverin 4 Van Der Linde Chv (Viljoen) & Janor Goodric 5 Greeff Ronelle & Daybreak Badawi

120.0 km No/Light Weight

1 Parker Shannon & Llamrai Asara Best Condition Horse 2 Mostert Jessica & Rakib Amira2 3 Grunow Charlene & Waterlea Skye 4 Fourie Marlene & Esmak Amigo 5 Engelbrecht Letecia & Saida Sulta

120.0 km Young Rider

1 Lara Van Niekerk & Hurst Ronaldo Best Condition Horse 2 Bianca Jacobs & Amaal 3 Lucia Supekova Junior & Hurst Ziyadan 4 Maya Janbey & Atashi Sky 5 Isone Swart & El Nize Kayla

120.0 km Senior Rider

Sune Wessels & Edl Agbahr Domino Renie Van Der Merwe & Guililah Naghgaliet Best Condition Horse Dawid Losper & Quepasa Monassab Dawid Lebe & Wiejandie Layla Michale Coles & Anhardu Sirestio

120.0 km Child Rider

Carmen Derks & Kalharabie BD El –Arab Best Condition Horse Gian Steyl & Steyl Tennesee Caila Potgieter & Hurst Saigon Sone Meeser & El Ramos Miss Deenaa GJ Hayward & Jocel- Latigo

88.0 km No/Light Weight

Julie Van Breda & Que Pasa Laredo Hans Hoka & Namarab Kalinka Johannes Van Wyk & Olaf Ingeborg Hernes & Dentor Macarena Anina Wasserman & Hurst Rabina

88.0 km Young Rider

Michael Robberts & Johaco Halsdon 88.0 km Senior Rider 1 Lisari Viljoen & Tehillah Gaza 2 Stuart Jacobs & Hurst Oman 3 Gerhard Gwanangombe & Moniqi Sendai 4 Titus Haita & Moniqi Gameros 5 Vanessa Mostert & Roetoit Timlene

88.0 km Child Rider

1 Jac Du Toit & Delmanga Sitarra 2 Corelie Coetzee & El Shakir Halim

Total Riders 164 Nera & FEI Combined Eliminated: 28 Nera & FEI Combined Disqualified: 2 Nera & FEI Combined Retired: 12 Nera & FEI Combined Withdraw: 7 Nera & FEI Combined Finishers: 115 - 70,120% Non Finishers: 49 - 29,880%

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A legend called Nobby!

Photo: Photo:Cidinha CidinhaFranzĂŁo FranzĂŁo

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In our latest Horse of the Month feature (July 2018), we get to know more about this WEG Endurance legend. Nobby and his rider Maria Mercedes Álvarez Pontón are the most successful Endurance partnership of all time.

They are the only horse and rider combination to ever have held World and European titles simultaneously.

In 2008, Nobby won the World Endurance Championship in Malaysia, and then In 2009, he won the European Endurance Championship in Italy. Nobby then went one to win the World Equestrian Games Endurance title in the USA in 2010.

2008 World Endurance Championship in Malaysia Photo: Cidinha Franzão

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This impressive horse then won his fourth major title in a row in 2011 when defending his European title in France.

His partnership with Maria was a beautiful one...

Not only is Nobby the most successful Endurance horse in FEI history, he proved he could do it over any terrain possible; flat, mountainous, dry, or tropical.

Nobby, a pure-bred Arab was born in 1995. He measures just 148cm which equates to 14.2hh.

Maria could often be seen, at the end of a race, heading to the final vet gate, patting his neck and pointing at him to all who were cheering them home.

Maria and husband, fellow endurance rider, Jaume Punti-Dachs, divide their time between their native Spain and Dubai, where they train Endurance horses for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Maria says she owes much of hers and Nobby’s success to the Sheikh.

Maria began work in Dubai worked as a stable rider in 2001. The Sheikh supported her, allowed her to compete. It’s also how Maria met her husband.

After Nobby won the 160-km FEI World Endurance Championship in 2008 in Malaysia, Maria said:“If I am standing here as the World Endurance Champion, it is only because of the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. He gave us everything.

We owe everything we have or done in horses to him. This victory is his.”

In 2010, when Nobby and Maria won the 160km Endurance race at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA. It was just a few weeks after Maria’s had given birth to their first child.

The course as well was more challenging than first appreciated.

“This is the most difficult race I’ve done with Nobby,” she said afterwards. “People say it’s flat, but it’s not flat at all. But for me, Nobby is the best horse in the world.” Maria trained Nobby in the desert, but with each victory in a different and testing part of the world, he proved his ability and versatility. Maria added, “He has a huge heart and it responds really well, but when he wins a race he doesn’t just win it with his heart, he also wins it with his head!”

Maria and Nobby arrived on the international Endurance scene in December 2006 when fin-

ishing third in the 120km race in Dubai. When they won the European Championship in France in 2011, not only did they defend their European title, but it was their fourth major title in a row.

They had been unbeatable for four years which is a remarkable feat for such a physically gruelling event.

Once again, Maria paid tribute to Nobby.

“I’m delighted with this win for myself and my great little horse - he really is unique. To win four Championships together is something very special!”

In 2012 at the World Endurance Championship in the UK, the Spanish two-some were attempting to match America’s Becky Hart’s record, to win three World titles in succession, with the Arab, RO Grand Sultan.

Despite finishing fourth, Nobby’s more travelled and varied victories place him as the greatest Endurance horse of all time.

In 2013, they were absent from the Euros as Maria was having another baby. By the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games, in his 20th year, Nobby had been retired.

Nobby became a figure head for the sport with his rider Maria; gaining accolades and fans where ever he had raced. Nobby’s world domination in that golden era between 2008 and 2011 will be extremely hard to beat.

2010 World Equestrian Games Endurance the USA

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Source FEI: Text by Katie Roebuck Images by Cidinha FranzĂŁo and Giorgio Biffi/FEI 76

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Nobby was successful over every terrain.

The greatest Endurance horse of all time!

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Festival de Enduro Villa de Leyva Text and photos: Marcelina Sosnowska & María Carreño

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Villa de Leyva, Colombia, Saturday 21st July 2018. Five years after, the third edition of the “Festival de Enduro Villa de Leyva” took place.

International riders came to enjoy the Colombian mountains and landscapes, with an international CEI2* 120KM, CEI1* 80KM and national races over distances of 20km, 40km, 80km and 120km.

This is the only FEI race of the 7 taking place this year in the country. We hope to grow year by year and get closer to international standards.

The event took place in a rural farm specially prepared for the race, with an arrival track and social zone so everybody could enjoy the endurance ambience. On Thursday night teams and horses started arriving and by Friday almost everybody was ready for the race. A total of 42 binomials were set to do what they know best.

On Saturday at 5:00am in a dark early morning the 120km duos started their journey. They had five technical and totally different tracks to go through in order to accomplish their race. After the first track the judges, vets and riders had an important meeting and decided it was key to lower the speed limit from 12km/h to 8km/h due to the difficulty of the race. At 8:45am the 80km competitors started to march their three routes followed by 40km and 20km duos later that day. Each route was directed into different areas around the basecamp so the landscapes, slopes and ground varied a lot.

Since the beginning, riders in all tracks gathered in groups. Due to the technical difficulties of the race, loop after loop, these became smaller and more distant. In CEI2* 120km Roberto Linares with Marhianna took the first place with 9.40km/h average speed and 13:11:30h total time in the race, with 0:09:59h recovery time. Our honour guest Nathalie Weemaels with Pearlight from Ecuador took the 2nd with 9,40km/h 12:11:50h total time and 0:14:02h recovery time.

Third place was for Justin Clark with Elaboret VO with 9.04km/h average 13:42:45h total time and 0:33:33 recovery time. The Best Condition in 120km was declared void and in 80km it was awarded to Kairo/Campeón raced by María Carreño. After the race, we spoke with Roberto and asked how he felt about it. He told us that for sure it was one of the most difficult races he made in his career but he felt Marhianna was well prepared and ready to continue going forward!

Roberto is one of our more experienced riders and has represented Colombia in WEG and other international races.

In 80km Pablo Romero with Rosario’s Gacela was the ones that made a difference, they took the 1st place at 11.63 km/h average speed, 6:58:01 total race time and 0:10:12 recovery time.

Humberto Gómez on Henly won the 2nd place in a sprint against Camilo Liévano on Othelo, their average speed and total race time was very similar as they went together during the day.

In the past years we’ve got quite a lot new people in the categories of 40km and 20km, coming from different parts of the country, most of them families which are starting in the endurance world. Because of them we hope this sport will continue growing in our country and we hope most of them will soon be in the 80km category. Out of the 42 riders participating in the event, 24 finished and qualified. In general, riders, officials and public were amazed by the great organization, the technical tracks and friendly atmosphere. Our next endurance competition will be the 1st of September in Subachoque, and will include 20, 40, 60 and 80km tracks.

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H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid A Strike for U

Source: Toscana En

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Al Maktoum Italy Endurance Festival: UAE’S riders

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Three races scheduled, 354 horses competing, three victories for the Emirates. This is the result of the third H.H. Sheik Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Italy Endurance Festival edition, which was part of the Toscana Endurance Lifestyle, 27th of July, at Pisa.

Same story for the 81 km, the 120 km senior and also the under 21: the 3 competitions, which had the starting line in the Hippodrome and went on in the Estate of San Rossore, all saw the same victorious flag.

The event created by the world champion 2005 Gianluca Laliscia, was an overwhelming emotion to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the greatest horse lover in the world: “horses are in my blood, horses are my life”.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum oversaw all the races, which proved once more the agonistic excellence of the UAE’s riders.

The Podiums: CEI2* 120 Km: 1. AL KHAYARI Saeed Hamoud Saeed CEIYJ2* 120 Km: 1. AL GHAILANI Suhail Ali Rashed Ali CEI1* 81 Km: 1. AL ZAROONI Alì Abdulrahman Belghuzooz Toscana Endurance Lifestyle 2018 made a qualitative leap.

Horses and riders from all over the world and driving force for the economy.

The San Rossore’s event consolidates its values with a turnover of 12,3 million euro, and creates further conditions for the development of relations between Pisa and the United Arab Emirates, as demonstrated from the acquisition of 25% of the majority shares of Toscana Aeroporti by the sovereign fund of Dubai Toscana Endurance Lifestyle 2018, which ended on 27th of July at the Hippodrome of San Rossore, has made a qualitative leap. It confirmed to be one of the most important Endurance event and at the same time has further developed its potential for what concerns the ability to promote international relations and development opportunities for the regional economy.

The budget of the fourth edition demonstrates this. We are talking about a turnover of 12.2 million of euro, that Toscana Endurance Lifestyle 2018 was able to generate with the di84

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Al Khayari Saeed Hamoud Saeed / Sahess Lotois

rect benefits connected to the 22,530 overnight stays in accommodation facilities.

It was not enough. In fact at the eve of the Toscana Endurance Lifestyle 2018 - the 25th of August - the financial transaction for the acquisition of 25% of Corporación America Italia, a leading shareholder of Toscana Aeroporti, which manages the airports of Florence and Pisa, has been officialized by a subsidiary of Investment Corporation of Dubai, a sovereign investment fund of the Government of Dubai whose chairman is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai.

Toscana Endurance Lifestyle is reinforced: this is demonstrated by the first figures in the finan-

cial statements, but also by the solidity of the relationships between Pisa and Dubai, witnessed by the presence - for the fourth consecutive year in San Rossore - of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Gianluca Laliscia, CEO and chairman of sistemaeventi.it comments: “His choice to directly follow the FEI Meydan Endurance Championship for Young Riders & Juniors and the H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Italy Endurance Festival, which he want to continue to promote Endurance worldwide, represents for us the confirmation of the goodness of the path we have decided to undertake for the past four years together with the Tuscany Region, Tuscany tourism promotion, the Municipality of Pisa, the Chamber of Commerce of Pisa, Alfea and the Regional Park Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli with whom, assisted by Meydan and Azizi Developments, we are committed to the development of this territory “.

A great event that gives the opportunity at the excellence of Tuscany to grow up and meet emerging markets as Dubai an Arab United Emirates. It is not a case that already in October 2015, the ambassador of the United Arabic Emirates in Italy, Saqer Nasser Ahmed Abdullah Alraisi, took part to a meeting in which he had the opportunity to appreciate the quality and potentialities of the universities of Pisa, the Hippodrome and

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of the airport “Galileo Galilei.”

Sport and international relationship are two sides of the same coin that Pisa and San Rossore will keep on developing.

It is not a case, in fact, that the curtain’s just come down, and they are already working to the FEI World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors and the FEI Young Horse World Championship 2019, before of the greatest Endurance event: the Longines FEI World Endurance Championship 2020.

Fei Meydan Endurance Championship: It’s The Third-Time Gold for Spain!

Spain is the Endurance Queen: it means gold medal in the FEI Meydan Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors 2018 (Pisa, Italy).

The Spanish team with his third consecutive gold medal shows a new future champion generation next to the senior’s Spanish World and European Champions.

Winners: Raquel Costa Codina with Tunez Cost; Bruna Pujols Aumatell with Ulkiem Kelenn; Martina Codina Sala Planell with Cs Rogelia.

Silver medal goes to Italy’s Niccolò Trotta (Quassia Distinta), Carola Dino (Colorado), Camilla Coppini (Alkimia), Valentina Galli (Agadir by Galuska) and Aurora Salvati (Nevosu). This result confirms the silver medal reached in 2016.

Spain also won the individual title, thanks to Raquel Costa Codina (Tunez Cost). The silver individual medal goes - for the first time - to Slovakia with Michaela Supekova (Girola de Quercus).

The French Lilou Tomas Arnaud (Scherazade Larzac) reached the bronze.

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Gallops of India more than an equestrian adventure, a human adventure!

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GALLOPS OF INDIA from March 2nd to 10th 2019

The Gallops - more than an equestrian adventure, a human adventure!

Nature, discovery, authenticity, traditions, arts, emotions, taste for adventure, partying and friends are the keywords for this extraordinary adventure “The Gallops�!

Following our adventures in the golden deserts of Oman and Morocco, the 3rd edition of the Gallops will take you deep into the stunning colours, the exotic scents and the majestic scenery of the eternal Rajasthan in India.

Immerse yourself in this exclusive horseback adventure across sumptuous palaces, mighty fortresses, arid lands, colourful markets, and charming villages. Discover the treasures of the Jewel of North India: the holy land of water and fire and an ancient land rich of history, traditions and legends.

The Gallops of India will be a mesmerizing and initiatory experience on the indigenous majestic Marwari horses with their magical incurved ears shaped like crescent moons.

moon, of a black desert stallion and a chestnut mare from another place. This love gave birth to a foal with curved ears like the crescent moon.

The Marwaris chosen by the organization were selected for their resistance. Easy, loyal and very curious, the Marwaris are the perfect companions for this adventure.

The Gallops is a combination of a great ride, a passionate challenging race, a unique human and cultural experience, a very entertaining journey and a discovery of breathtaking natural landscapes. More than an equestrian adventure, a human adventure!

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This one and only adventure is an international luxury sporting and touristic event which gathers 100 horse riders from all over the world, of all ages (18-70), as many women as men from various equestrian riding backgrounds (endurance, polo, trails, jumping, dressage). The participants compete with the help of their loyal adventure companions the Arabian horse, Barb-Arab and Marwari horses.

Since 2014, the Gallops team has created a new and innovative equestrian concept: an orienteering and endurance horseback race - similar to a Paris-Dakar – organised in teams of 5 riders across 200 km in 5 stages over 6 days.

The horse riders have to rely upon their navigation skills by GPS to guide them through the endless landscapes.

The only requirement of our competitors is to be advance level riders, no matter their age, nationality or their regular equestrian discipline.

The Gallops riders come to share a once in a lifetime horseback adventure where solidarity, stamina, self-discipline, love of horses and respect of local environment are the basis.

The Gallops is the only equestrian event in the world to offer – constantly in new faraway lands – an adventure that is simultaneously sporty (without being strictly an official competition), human (150 people share together an unforgettable experience for a week) and touristic (luxurious hotels/camps and high standard accommodations).

Friends and family members are welcome to join the Gallops as “non-riders” to support their competitor and enjoy a cultural and entertaining program custom-made for them.

In February 2014, the first edition took place in the Sultanate of Oman in the wonderful sand dunes of the Wahiba desert. 110 riders representing 10 different nations (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Oman, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA) divided in 22 teams crossed the golden dunes on their beautiful Arabian horses.

With the support of its Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Saïd, the Gallops of Oman has been a fabulous human adventure with great encounters, emotions, twists and parties like the unforgettable White Party under the stars.

It’s a similar challenge – the Gallops of Morocco – which has been organized in February 2018

by Bady Kebir, Benoît Perrier and their team in a new spectacular location: the sandy dunes of Merzouga in the Eastern Morocco.

Under the patronage of Its Majesty the King Mohammed VI, the event was highly successful with a great number of foreigner teams from all 4 corners of the globe: Oman, Germany, Ireland, France, Slovakia and Malaysia. All these riders ended the week leaving forever their (horse) footprints in this vast desert where everyone left a part of its soul of horse rider, traveler and dreamer.

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To live this magic experience, come and join us in India from March 2nd to 10th 2019!

Entries can be individual or as a team. If it is individual we will integrate you into a team already partially formed, according to affinities such as age, nationality or equestrian discipline practiced.

In the last two Gallops editions, many friendships began. “No Riders� (family or friends) are welcome to join the 100 competitors and live the adventure with them.

Cavalgadas Brasil is organizing a team of Brazilians and South Americans to participate in the event.

Contacts: Brazil: Paulo Junqueira - paulo@cavalgadasbrasil.com.br / +5541 99990-0981 www.gallopsofindia.com

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Diary of a Fiasco How FEI and the Organizing Committee turned the World Equestrian Games Endurance Competition into a living hell

By André Vidiz slipped under their hotel doors: they must vacate Preface I will relate all the misinformation and disorga- their rooms — the Tryon Center lodgings were ready nization that eventually led to the greatest fiasco in for use. If “I don’t know” became our mantra, misinthe history of Endurance World Championships. Be- formation was a constant throughout the trip and this fore that, however, I must mention that all the volun- was its first example: when we reached the center, we teers and residents of the Tryon area were extremely were told that the lodgings weren’t ready at all (but helpful, kind and amiable. Every one of them tried to that they would be by the end of the day).

The horses were now allowed to walk in the trainhelp — some, going beyond their own means. They ing ring and could head to the tracks in the afternoon, showed extreme solidarity and took responsibility for problems that weren’t theirs. We experienced an but they could not graze nor come into contact with the grass, as if this alone would cause a nationwide amazing show of civility and sense of community. outbreak of Piroplasmosis in the USA. 04/09/2018 — The Horses’ Arrival The truck carrying the horses from the Miami quarantine arrived at around 9:00 a.m. After making its way through the narrow, winding paths of the Tryon International Equestrian Center, circumventing tractors and cranes, it finally reached the last stables, where we were located. After disembarking, the horses weren’t allowed to walk over the grass, nor stretch their legs in the least, all thanks to USDA’s Piroplasmosis paranoia. They were sent straight to the stables after having taken two flights, a 14-hour truck journey and spending 7 days in quarantine. They would reVet Area, 5 days from the course main unable to move for at least another day.

As I watched USDA agents sterilizing the truck as Shortly after lunch, we learnt that they’d broken if it had been exposed to the Ebola virus, I decided to grab a bale of hay before they rendered it unfit their promise: the tracks would remain off limits, the for consumption. This proved to be very useful, as we horses were restricted to the training ring. Their secwere about to find out that Tryon Center hadn’t yet ond promise — lodging for the grooms — was also received their stock of hay or feed (we weren’t allowed broken, but this news would only reach us at around to bring our own) and no one seemed to know when half past midnight, an hour after, tired of waiting, we’d the shipment was due. This was the first of many “I reserved rooms in hotels for the grooms to spend the don’t know” we’d hear throughout our stay — a sort night in (to this day, I haven’t been reimbursed by the Organizing Committee). of mantra over there.

06/09 — No lodging and no parking The second “I don’t know” would come shortWhen we arrived at the center by the morning we ly after: the grooms’ quarters weren’t ready and no one seemed to know when they would be. The Or- were surprised by a new rule: cars were no longer alganizing Committee provided the grooms with ho- lowed to be parked near the stables. They didn’t tell tel rooms — a 20-minute drive from the Tryon Center. us why this rule was implemented, nor how long it After having shown the grooms to their new rooms, I would be upheld (“I don’t know”). Even though we headed to the hotel they’d arranged for me. It was lo- have coolers, loads of ice and multiple articles to uncated 25 minutes away from the Tryon Center, but in load, we are barred from driving through with our the opposite direction. In other words, it would take cars. We had to park about 2km away from the stables, only to walk all the way back, carrying all our me 45 minutes to reach the grooms’ hotel. belongings with us. Finally, a volunteer drives by in a 05/09 — Misinformation The grooms woke up to find a note had been golf cart and offers us a ride.

We imagine that this new rule was implemented to

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speed up the construction work that’s been going on all over Tryon Center — from the looks of it, nothing will be ready for the opening.

We did not receive encouraging news about grooms’ lodgings, only apologies and empty promises — they were going to build a new pavilion and so on and so forth…

07/09 — Even fewer parking lots — and a crane!

The parking lot is now off limits too. The new one is even further away from the stables — about 3 kilometers. And, worse of all, they never thought to tell us in advance: we were carrying an awful lot of mineral water because the horses were shying away from the faucet water and we didn’t want them to become dehydrated. Walking through construction work, we finally arrived at the stables, sweating profusely.

Getting there, a surprise: we now have a crane in front of the stables 08/09 — Lodging!

We were finally given the keys to the groom’s cabins. It is a small building with a bunk bed, air conditioning, a toilet and a shower. Simple but functional.

The horses are doing fine, although there have been some complaints about the air conditioning in the stalls being set at too low a temperature (probably to kill the ticks, which the USDA fears so much but weren’t there) and about all the zigzagging we have to go through in order to get some training done, a consequence of the ongoing construction work ant their circumventing concrete mixing trucks, heavy machinery tractors, etc.

The race is still some days off, but exhaustion is already setting in: the daily 3km trek between our cars and the stables — usually carrying something — is starting to take its toll. Now and then we get rides from volunteers in their golf carts, but we usually leave Tryon Center after the volunteers have already left, so walking is our only option.

09/09 — No parking at all As soon as I wake up, I am informed that a Car Pass is needed in order to access the parking lot, which I was finally getting used to. To apply for the Car Pass, I am instructed to submit my passport and athlete credentials at the accreditation center. When I get there, a solicitous volunteer confirms this information and

tries to help me. But all I get is bad news: they’d distributed too many car passes to the Endurance athletes and someone has “confiscated” the box in which they are stored. Where should I park? How do I reach the stables? “I don’t know”.

After speaking to five different people, waiting for calls that never came through, and protesting together with two other endurance athletes who found themselves in the same situation, I am given an alternative credential which supposedly allows me to access the parking lot. When I finally reach the parking lot, however, the security guard tells me that my new credential is exactly the same as my old one — i.e., I can’t use the parking lot.

The guard, noticing I am on the brink of an angry outburst, suggests I take the dirt road that passes behind the Accreditation center and leads to a spot which is close enough to the stables. I drive down the dirt road and reach a parking lot assigned to trucks that are being used for the construction of the vetcheck area. I finally park, even though a security guard comes up to me and tells me I’m not allowed to. I unload the 60 liters of water I’d brought with me and call someone to help me carry the water to the stables.

After being rebuked by stewards and questioned by guards, I finally reach the stables.

10/09 — Moving Day Weather reports showed that Hurricane Florence might hit Tryon in the next few days. As a number of stalls had already been flooded by last night rain, it was decided that we’d move the horses to new stables — concrete stables which are designed to stand against storms of greater magnitudes and are much sturdier than the temporary ones we’d been using.

Even though the race is only two days away, the transfer goes swimmingly. We pack everything up, the Organizing Committee provides us with forklifts and tractors for transportation and the new stable pavilion looks much better than the old one. I wish we could have used it from the start!

The funny thing is that, facing so many problems, the only one that the Organizing Committee was able to promptly deal with was also the only problem that was unpredictable and out of their control: a hurricane.

A passage of our daily route between the parking and the stables

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11/09 — Pre-vet and last minute calls The initial vet check went smoothly, despite the usual disorder inherent to World Championships.

There always a lot of people and a lot of horses in an event that occur only once (it is different from the annual courses, in which everyone already knows how things work or should be done, for example). It is true that trucks and tractors were still being driven near the horses and this, in itself, revealed the Committee’s lack of planning and blatant disregard for the event, but, in practice, we encountered no further serious problems during the initial inspection.

We were absolutely sure that the race was going to be an extremely complicated affair, but nothing prepared us for what came next.

12/09, 5:30 a.m. (all times are approximate) — Things get weird I arrive at the Tryon Center and walk directly to the vet-check. If I stoped by the stables before, I would lose half an hour. We are told that the horses will only be allowed to leave the stables at 6:00 a.m., even though the race starts at 6:30 a.m. and the stables are 15 minutes from the start! Weird!

I might even say we’d gotten used to all those last minute changes, to the lack of information and the vague instructions: we would only be given the credential stickers for the support vehicles at the end of the day, and the particulars about the distribution of ice would only be announced on the morning of the race itself.

I heard a lot of people referring to the situation as “chaotic”. I disagree. Chaos has the potential to organize itself and it usually reaches a functional equilibrium of sorts. This wasn’t the case: our biggest problem was that the Americans implemented rules and restrictions which even they could not comply by, but demanded everyone else to. Thus, adapting to the situation was impossible. We couldn’t find the best way to do things or make things run smoothly, simply because the Organizing Committee wouldn’t allow us to — when things did end up working, they’d change the rules and procedures overnight, and everything would collapse back into dysfunction.

6:15 a.m. — Things get weirder The horses arrive and we immediately mount them — after all, we’ve only got fifteen minutes before the race starts. We join the other riders and are directed to a narrow bridge. It is a dangerous location for a starting line, especially because the bridge lacks parapets.

We wait for the race to start. But the FEI official who’d directed us to the bridge, clearly distressed because of the confusing information coming from his walkie-talkie, conducts us back to the vet, whereupon we are once more redirected to the track we’d used for training. There we find the portal and starting line.

06:45 a.m. — Things get even weirder The race begins! It was clear that there were fewer horses than it should— 124 horses had passed the initial inspection and for sure they were not all there.

We ride around the cross-country lake, back towards the vet, whereupon we ride back down and cross the “pseudo-starting line” bridge. At the first crewing

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point we learn that the riders in the lead are 40 minutes ahead of us — we are part of a lucky group of 70 riders who’ve taken the wrong track. Reaching the next crewing area, we are told that there’d somehow been two different starting lines and that the same race had begun at different times at two different locations. The race would be canceled and a new one (120 kms) would take place, at a time to be determined.

9:15 a.m. — Certainties and Uncertainties We finally get back. We had to wade through the mud produced by last minute construction work. I reached the vet-gate. My mare was lame. A slight but constant limp. It sucks, but this is the sport we chose.

It’s terrible having gone through all that work, having carried all that weight, up and down, only to complete a single loop and having to quit. But it happens, we’re used to it, and the widespread disorder makes it less disheartening. Here’s another example of the disorganization that plagued the race: my mare was not sent to the vet hospital, as all horses that are eliminated from races should be. Even in the small details, or in those proceedings that are assured by Committees in big races, misinformation and lack of coordination prevailed.

Rumors circulated that the race would be canceled outright. The UAE team write a petition demanding the Endurance World Championship be rescheduled within a few months and be held, instead, in Europe — any costs would be paid by the Sheikh himself.

20 countries sign the petition, 4 don’t (Brazil among them).

The 120km race is rescheduled to start at 11:15 a.m. Those who completed the full loop complain that those who didn’t will have an advantage over them — they’ve ridden a smaller distance and have had more time to rest; those who rode along the smaller loop dislike the option because they ran it faster. The Emirate and Spanish teams are withdrawing from the race. Sheik Hamdan, who is supposed to re-present his horse, refuses to do so.

11:15 a.m. — The race begins (again) With the Spanish and UAE teams back in the competition, together with everyone else (those who passed the vet exams), the 120km race begins, following the planned order of loops (in other words, starting from what would be the second loop). 30km along the yellow track, a new surprise at the vetcheck: most horses are penalized and have to have their heart rates measured once more. Despite the intermittent rain, the heat is taking its toll on everyone.

The second loop of the new race (which would count as the third loop in the 160km circuit) is a real challenge: 40km in the sweltering heat, riding over fatiguing terrain (nothing out of the ordinary, but not exactly a plain level). Even after riding 70km, the rhythm is fast, with the Spanish and Uruguayan teams taking the lead. At the finish line, more penalizations,

many of which result in eliminations because of increased heart rates.

When Sheikh Rashid — Sh Hamdan’s cousin — crosses the finish line, the judge calls him in for a weight check. He refuses. His team proceeds to cool down the horse with water, whereupon they deliberately throw water at the judge! They vanish, saddle and all, and nothing comes of it, despite all the protesting and shouting. At the vet, his horse is eliminated from the race.

I tell Olavo Maciel that this is by far the most disorganized competition I’ll ever see, simply because I can’t imagine a worse scenario.

Jaume Punti, Alex Luque, Jean Philippe Frances, Maria Pontón, Omar Blanco and Pedro Marino head into the penultimate loop — the horses seem fine and the Brazilians are euphoric, given the performances of RG Komo and Moscou Endurance. The roughest part of race is behind them and the horses seem to be in good shape. Completing the race, well placed, seems feasible — they might even reach the other riders who have taken the lead.

5:00 p.m. — Blatant disrespect We are informed that the hospital is filled to capacity as a result of the eliminations in the 40km loop.

They lead us to believe that another pavilion will operate as a makeshift hospital.

Out the blue, we are informed that the race will be canceled. The French, Spanish, Brazilian and other countries’ Chef d’Equipes who are still in the race head to the vet to speak with the jury.

Ana Carla and 3 other French team members go to the 4th loop, even though they know it might be canceled.

A few minutes later, the loudspeakers announce the race’s cancellation due to climatic conditions and the excess of horses in hospital. Riders, grooms, vets and team members crowd together against the fence that separates the cooling area from the vet area. Persistent shouts of protest (“Shame! Shame! Shame!”).

The possibility of an invasion seems very real.

fit-to-travel “documents”

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Stewards and officials try to placate the angry crowd — this only makes things worse. The cops are called in. With police officers inside the vet area, the risk of an invasion is reduced, but the race’s organizational failure is made manifest. In endurance races — in which everyone knows each other, in which everyone is friends with everyone else, and everyone contributes to the event’s smooth running –, the presence of a police officer in the vet-check symbolizes that everything — absolutely everything — has gone wrong. The need for physical restraint indicates the Organizing Committee’s utter failure and blatant disregard for the event: a moral bankruptcy, as it were.

The three French team members, together with Ana Carla, return from the track. They head to the cooling area and enter the vet-check on horseback.

The crowd goes wild and bursts out in applause, shouting words of protest against the FEI. The vets, motionless, watch the French team members galloping towards them, while the judges try to remove them from there.

When Juma, Alex Luque and Pedro Marino ride in, the scene repeats itself. The endurance community is united in their plight against the Organizing Committee’s excessive hostility. From the riders I perceive frustration for having their dreams so rudely interrupted and anger and disappointed with Organizing Committee, but I can also see proud in their faces, thanks to their horse’s performances and how exemplarily they rode the race. As a rider myself, I understand both feelings: that of seeing years of effort going unrecognized and that of an independent, personal victory, despite official recognition.

Postscript In situations like this, it is difficult to tell good intentions from cheap opportunism. Was the Arabs’ proposal to host the World Championship in Europe an act of good will or an attempt to undermine the FEI’s influence by bringing the management of the games within their purview? On the other hand, the decision not to cancel the race in the first loop, following so many reckless mistakes, seems to be more of a political gamble by the Organizing Committee (in order not to admit their mistakes) rather than a technical decision. The political gamble, one must note, was a failure, and led to twice as many problems.

I don’t personally believe in conspiracy theories such as the Sheik buying off the Committee in order to cancel the race, or somehow causing it to be cancelled. It seems to me like a simplistic explanation to a rather complex situation, consisting of variables and multiple individuals — many of which would love to share this information. It is evident that if Sheikh Handam were still racing, the decision might not have been the same, but this is very different from claiming he ordered the race to be canceled.

So, what does the future hold for endurance riding and endurance World Championships? People are

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speculating about the establishment of a new organization, unrelated to FEI. This would send them — arrogant and incompetent as they’ve shown themselves to be — a strong message, but, at the same time, it seems to me like we’d be handing over the sport to those who already bought everything they could (or couldn’t). Perhaps the FEI itself might want to take a step back and remove endurance riding from the WEGs, as its interaction with other disciplines is so difficult. There are a thousand simple solutions, but those that really works are yet to come. And, if and when they do, they’ll be a consequence of diligent discussions.

Update In the statement about the death of the New Zealand’s horse Barack Obama FEI took advantage of the fact to strengthen their understanding that the right decision was made. FEI’s behavior is opportunist, simplistic, cynical and lieful. It tries to shorten the discussion to the cancelation of the ride on the 4th loop, when in fact the question is about the whole proceeding of the OC before the course and after the 1st loop too. If the horse’s death tell us something is that FEI made a lot of mistakes when planning the ride and when decided not to cancel it after the 1st loop (the horse died, after all!). Canceling the ride on the 4th loop neither protected the horses that weren’t fit to it (almost all of them had already been eliminated on the 3rd vet) nor respected the riders who had overcome so many challenges and were in the edge of conquering such an important result.

The statement also classifies the weather as unexpected, which is a flat out lie: months before the course everybody knew the weather would be hot and humid, as is typical for the region and time of the year. Even worse: it was the FEI itself who defined the quantity of phases (5) and that we would have an atypically long 3rd loop (40kms). This time they are not allowed to say “I didn’t know”!

André Vidiz / Bond Girl Endurance

Ana Carla Maciel/Moscou-Endurance Credit: DigiShots / Leanjo de Koster Arabian Horse Intl

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