ARABIAN HORSE INTL ISSUE

Arabian Horse Intl

Issue 3 - March/April/May 2018

Pedro Stefani Marino Brazilian Champion CEI2** 120 Km La La Land receives HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival

Maria ร lvarez Pontรณn Champion of Spain CEI Fontainebleau: Forรงa Bazil!!!

Interview with Pilar Saravia Arabian Horse Intl

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Issue 3 - March/April/May 2018

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

In this issue we highlight the 160 km Spanish National Championship. The event consisted of 4 races of different distances, where more than 150 pairs of 15 different nationalities participated.

The great attraction was, undoubtedly, the celebration of the Spanish Raid Championship, which crowned María Álvarez Pontón as the best Spanish rider of 2018, our cover.

Another important event was the Brazilian Endurance National Championships 120 km, Senior and Young Riders categories, and 80 km (national races only), Senior, Young Riders and Junior categories.

And in Portugal was held on April 21 The National Championship of Juniors and Young Riders in Fronteira, at the Raid International Fronteira Atoleiros.

Our interview of the month is with Uruguayan Pilar Saravia, who at the age of 15 did not make any effort to finish the 2017 first place at the FEI Endurance Open Riders World Ranking and also won the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies International Awards in Hollywood.

In Arabian Horse Races highlights for Jill Colwell, Fiona & Scott Green, Arabian racehorse trainers based in Queensland and the races in Santa Anita, Seville, Morocco, Brazil and the Dubai Kahayla Classic.

And our touristic article is about Brussels, The Capital of Europe, that has a connection with Brazil because Brasília and Brussels are sister cities and in Bois de la Cambre is held one of the most important endurance races in Europe.

We hope you enjoy it and have a good reading!

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

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Cover

María Álvarez Pontón with T’aime de Coeur

Photo:

Berta Barnils Chief Executive: Jesse Grainger Publishers: Cidinha Franzão, Favio Lorenz Art Directors: Pedro Jovelli, Paulo Alberto Marketing and Advertising: Lucia Furlan Contributors: Tales Azzi, HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival/Satya Narayan, Anne Jonchery, Daryl Owen, Reserva Cerro Paine Patagonia, Media Dept. Dubai Racing Club, Anne Mette Holm Halvorsen, Carla Laureano, Daniel Fenaux - Real Federación Hípica Española, Andre Alvarez Valenzuela, Ivan Nuñez Prado, Debbie Lopez, Virginia Dodson, Australasian Racing Club Inc Photos: Favio Lorenz, Tales Azzi, Cidinha Franzão, Morhaf Al Assaf, Léon Blurck, Anne Jonchery, François Kerbaul, Pedro Godinho, Hotel Las Torres Patagonia, Johnny N. Jensen/JNJ Foto, Sharon Meyers, Country Road Photography, Revista Equitação, Daniel Fenaux, Oreste Testa / Sport Endurance Evo, Francisco Boetsch Tagle, Stefano Iasi and Caique Augusto / Instituto Enduro Brasi, Glenys Lilly, Australasian Racing Club Inc, Porfírio Menezes, Andrew Walkins, GdML, Charles Lecompte, Aktron Wikimedia Commons, www.brussels-endurance.org, Berta Barnils

contact@.arabianhorseintl.net

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Interview: The world is no limit to Pilar

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FEI Solidarity: Making a Difference in Uruguay

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CEI Fontainebleau: Força Brasil!!!

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Icy winds and warm hearts in Feldborg

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Saeed Al Khayari reigns supreme in Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup

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ESNZ Endurance Nationals a Trans Tasman affair

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Intimate show by Inti-Illimani Histórico marked the closing of the 14th edition of the Enduro Ecuestre Torres del Paine

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Pedro Godinho wins in Badajoz

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Pedro Miguel Barradas is National Young Rider Champion of Portugal

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Maria Álvarez Pónton, Champion of Spain

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Italians dominate HH Sheikh Mansoor endurance rides in Sardegna

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David Ramirez winner of the CEI3*** in Casablanca, Chile

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Pedro Stefani Marino is the Brazilian Champion with Al Saida Larzac

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Ederson Fernandes wins first stage of the São Paulo Championship

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Fausto Sanchez is the great winner of the International Endurance “Anniversary”

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Reid River R-Mani HARC Australian Horse of the Year

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Jill Colwell, Arabian racehorse trainer based in South East Queensland

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Fiona & Scott Green, Arabian racehorse trainers based in Far North Queensland

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Australasian Arabian Racing Club Inc.

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HH Sheikh Hamdans Ajaayib wins Zayed Cup in Seville

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Aoun wins Sheikh Zayed Cup in Morocco

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Rawdah scoops Prix Kriss II Wathba Stallions Cup

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UAE Presidents Outstanding Sporting Achievement award for HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival

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Quick Sand AA leads 1-2-3 for trainer Torrez

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Zells Zenyatta wins Wathba Stallions Cup in Brazil

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Cantiga VE wins RG Kalif Award

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Velozter wins in grand style

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Zells Zanyatta champion of the GP Arab Chamber

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First Saudi Arabian Victory in the Dubai Kahayla Classic

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La La Land receives HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival

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Brussels, the Capital of Europe

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The world was no limit to Pilar

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With only 15 years-old, Pilar Saravia Béttega finished the last season of the endurance in the first position of the FEI Open Riders World Endurance Ranking 2017, in a total of 3823 ranked athletes. Pilar also won the Gold Medal in the Senior Team category at the Pan American Endurance Championship held in Punta del Este in October 2017 and Individual 4th place.

The outstanding performance of Pilar Saravia Béttega in the discipline of endurance in 2017 has earned her the position of being the best in the world in her category. She competed in a total of 44 International Endurance Competitions (FEI Calendar races): eight level 3* events (CEI3*) over the distance of 160 kms., In which she got three first places; sixteen CEI2* (over 120 km), achieving one first place, three second places and two third places, among other classifications and also participated in seven CEI1* (over 80 kms) getting two first places, among other outstanding results (a 70% classification average).

“At the beginning of last year we set ourselves a goal to win in the world ranking. From the first moment I knew it was not going to be easy, I was going to have to travel to many countries to run, and knowing that leaving Uruguay for so long I was going to miss school a lot, deprive myself of many things, and even stop being at home and train our horses personally. However today we already met our goal very successfully I do not regret anything, and I am happy to have dedicated 100% to this. Despite the fact that I did not always do very well in all the races or that I sometimes traveled and did not qualify, I always had the support of my family, the people of my town, the endurance in Uruguay and also those who train horses in my house. Without a doubt, if it were not for my team everything that I have achieved would not be possible, and within this my parents are the promoters and those who have always given me forward. “ Name, age and place of birth Pilar Saravia Béttega, 16 yo.Treinta y Tres, Uruguay.

Tell us about yourself.

I was born in the city of Treinta y Tres, and since then I have lived in the countryside with my family. All my life I have loved horses and any activity with them.

When and why did you start riding?

I started running endurance organized in the city where I live with 7 years, since then I kept running with the same horse. When I was 10 years old, we started having more horses and I ran my

First Endurance Race with Polo

first national ride in the promotional category.

The next two years in junior category, and only in 2016 in the Senior category participating in my first international race (FEI) with 14 years.

How and when did you know the Endurance?

I knew the endurance through the trainer of my first horse. He had already competed in endurance races before, so he encouraged us to try this sport and from the first moment we liked it a lot.

Tell us about your first horse.

My first horse was called Polo, and it was a gift from my uncle when I turned 6 years old. He has been very special to me because he has been with me since the beginning and although he has not trained or run for two years, due to his age, he will always be my favorite horse. With Polo I participated in many endurance races and it was also with him that I debuted in raid, another authentic Uruguayan sport.

What was your greatest experience in Endurance?

All the races always leave me very good memories, but surely the best experience was having Arabian Horse Intl

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With Gringa Bonita in Argentina

participated in Santa Susana (Spain) in 2017: 74 + 74 km in the 64 Raid International. It was my first time running in a two days race; and I really enjoy it a lot. In addition to the track was very beautiful and pleasant and I ride with a very good mare along with a very professional team.

How do you prepare yourself for the Endurance race?

I go to the gym every day to be in shape for the races, so I can help the horse as much as possible in the race. I also try to train my horses here at home every day, when studies allow me.

One race has not yet competed and an unforgettable race.

I would love to run the Tevis Cup in the USA. This race is not FEI but it is known to be very difficult to complete and it takes all day. For the pictures I’ve seen and comments from riders who have had the opportunity to run it would be a very good experience and a good challenge. A race that I will never forget was the Pan-American in Uruguay in October 2017. I ran with our own horse and trained for us, and we managed to enter in fourth place by individual and we won the team medal. It was very exciting to have been able to complete that race by running my horse and defending my country.

What was your most challenging endurance ride?

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In September 2017, I participated in a 160km endurance race in South Africa, and without a doubt, apart from not being able to qualify; it was the hardest race I have ever participated in.

We started in the middle of the night, and just after the second stage the sun came out, that was a big disadvantage because I did not know where the trails were and I did not have the light to see the track, and the horse fired during the two first loops. After the stages my horse became more and more difficult and he began to tire, so I had to run many kilometers next to him to recover it. Unfortunately, they disqualified us, missing a stage to complete the race.

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

In the endurance one of the horses that have marked my career was HSJ Shaitan. Since 2014 I have run with him, in both junior and senior categories, and he is one of the best I have ever ridden. He is still training here at home and we are sure that they still have more joys to give us.

What titles have you won?

In 2017 I was nominated in the FEI Awards in the Longines Rising Star category and also for the three equestrian sports in the Charruas prizes, delivered here in Uruguay. In 2016 I also achieved third place in the FEI Open Riders World Endurance Ranking, and in 2017 I finished in the first place in that same ranking. In 2017 and 2018 I

was nominated by the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Darley Awards as Best Endurance Riders, being able to win the prize this year.

Besides Endurance, what do you do?

In addition to the endurance, I’m in my junior year of high school, which when I finish I’ll start the veterinary school.

A dream.

A short time ago, in October of last year, I fulfilled my dream of becoming an elite rider. But now after having achieved so many fascinating things in this sport, my dream is to see myself in a few years being a veterinarian and being able to train my own horses as my mother does, which is my great inspiration day by day.

Do you have any superstition when you compete?

I have no superstition to run with any special object in the races. But I always try to believe in my saddle, not only in Uruguay but also when I go abroad I always carry it, if possible and the owners of the horses agree to run with it. I have it since I run in junior category, and it’s already a little worn because it has many battles. Besides, I do not like to use other mounts to change my way of sitting on the horse. I have achieved many achievements above it and I have taken it all over the world, so I will expect to spend a lot more time with it.

Argentina

Idol in Endurance and life.

My idol in this sport since very little was always the Uruguayan endurance rider Oriana Ricca, and until this moment I still consider her a great rider and a warrior in life, besides being a very good person both up and down the horse. However, my great idol in life is undoubtedly my mother. She is a veterinarian, and since finishing the school has worked at home in the production of livestock, but just from the first day I started running she has professionalized much more in what are horses. Achieving today be the coach and veterinarian of my horses, and to whom I owe all the good that I have achieved in this sport. She inspires me every day to work hard and enjoy being able to do with these fascinating animals that are horses.

Interview to Cidinha Franzão Photos: Courtesy Pilar Saravia

Namibia

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Pilar Saravia and Baraka Nasim

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Chile

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The FEI’s Solidarity programme has brought joy to disadvantaged kids in Uruguay Children in the South American country have been developing new skills and discovering the wonders of horses through a fun and constructive project run by the FEI’s Solidarity programme.

There are few more enjoyable and effective ways to touch the hearts of young people than through animals. This fact was illustrated when the Solidarity branch of the FEI became involved in an amazing project aimed to help socially vulnerable and underprivileged kids in Uruguay in 2015.

Under the scope of an agreement signed between the Uruguayan Equestrian Sports Federation (FUDE), the Army Equestrian School and the Adolescent Penal Responsibility System (SIRPA), the aim of the project was to help the kids learn skills and life values by being around horses and learning the basics of riding and caring for the animals.

The bond that formed between the adolescents and horses was amazing The FEI Solidarity programme was launched in 2011 to develop and fund equestrian sport worldwide in a sustainable and structured way.

Inspired by Olympic Solidarity, it’s about the equestrian community pulling together to enable exciting new projects and programmes from grassroots to elite level.

10 kids and a lot of horses were involved in the project over 40 weeks - during which time they were guided through many of the skills involved in looking after these impressive animals.For some of them, this was the first time they had 14

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been up close and personal with a horse. With some surprised by the actual size of the horses, it was essential that they learned respect for the animals before the teaching began.

The main aim was to develop a real sense of values and responsibility in the youngsters, as they were given the responsibility of cleaning and feeding the animals. The bond that formed between the adolescents and horses was amazing as they gained in responsibility, confidence, leadership and respect for others as well as the animals.

Once they actually got on the horses, that was another whole different ball game! The act of riding a horse can be physically challenging for first timers (and for second, third, fourth and so on for many) so the second phase was a great introduction to sensibility, concentration and coordination.

This phase was also a good way to introduce them to some of the equestrian disciplines such as Dressage, Eventing and Jumping, and explaining the differences between the sports.

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE WAS PRODOUND The third phase of the programme touched on equine therapy - namely, basic knowledge of “what can go wrong” with a horse and how to deal with it. A couple of “ologys” like morphology and ethology (the “language of horses”) were used, as well as grooming techniques and even some basic Vaulting skills were covered and went a long way to forging a new bond between the horses and the kids. Horses plus jumping guarantees fun for kids!

The learning experience was profound, and not just for the kids; for many of the instructors this was an experience they will never forget.

As FEI Solidarity said: “The course was conducted with an excellent attendance of participants, which at the same time demonstrated a good progress and revealed a great interest in all the matters proposed. “The behaviour was correct in all moments and the learning was enriching, not only for the students but also for the instructors, because this was their first experience with persons coming from a vulnerable socio-cultural context.�

For more information about FEI Solidarity, and the work it does across the world, click here

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Bahraini Al Subaie wins CEI*** in FONTAINEBLEAU

By Anne Jonchery

CEI FONTAINEBLEAU: FORÇA BRAZIL!!!

Fontainebleau is usually THE rendezvous of international endurance after the winter break.

26 nations, 380 horses : this edition 2018, under the umbrella of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nayan Festival, was fully booked !

Caroline & Gilles Cabardos and their team, did there best (as usual) to make the race being a good race, with good tracks.

Results*, innovations and novelties : overview of a french successfull week-end for the brazilian riders.

A selective 3* race and Bahrain 1st 16

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Coming from 16 nations, 43 riders took the start ; 12 finished this race renamed 100 Miles of Zayed, tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan, founding father of the U.A.E. 2018 is the Year of Zayed, marking the 100th anniversary of his birth. Abdulla Mohamed Al Subaie from the Kingdom of Bahraïn, took the lead from the begginning and didn’t give it away until the end!

Born in South Africa, his grey gelding Henham Romeo (Lomar Marengo x Al Shaqab El Riyala) aged 12 completed the race in 8h 28’ 27’’ with an average speed of 19.117km per hour. At one time, they also were 25’ ahead.

With a big smile, the winner praised his horse’s performances: it was only the 3rd time he has

riden him. « My horse has an exceptional heart.

No need to use the heart rate monitor. He goes straight into the vet gate ! ». In only 2 minutes, Henham Romeo had a 56 heartbeat/mn.

This 29 years old rider by winning this race, booked his ticket for the next WEG in Tryon – USA. Another man was very satisfied with the result : Dr Khalid Hasan, Director of Sheikh Hamed bin Issa al Khalifa’s Royal Stable. « This victory is an excellent result for our team. We greatly appreciate Fontainebleau. All in all, we have 300 endurance horses in different countries such as Bahrein, Dubai and France. »

They were 24 Ladies from 7 countries to take the track for 120 km. The frenchies left no chance to their opponents, taking the top five places ! Alice Fabre, and his 8 years old gelding Baraka de Flauzin, is the 1st one to enter her name on the track record of this new race in Fontainebleau.

They finished the 4 loops in 06 :03 :14 at an average speed of 20.483. She ran the last loop at 26.883. Laetitia Glorian (Adibou) and Julia Montagne (Havana de Bozouls) climbed on the 2nd & 3rd step of the podium.

Brazilian strongly !

The 120km race dedicated to young riders (14 to 21) was a french selection test for the next Young Riders European Championships. The French Manon Valerio and her fantastic Gindastick finished 1st before 2 other french young girls : Lilou Thomas Arnaud (Scherazade Larzac) and Emma Frances (Quokin de Psa).

The italian Daniele Serioli finished second just before the brazilian armada : Carlos Augusto Amaral Paes de Barros / Koheilan Kajla, Rodrigo Moreira Barreto / Koheilan Elvira P and Eduardo Xavier Barreto Junior / James Bond Endurance respectively finished 3rd, 4th and 5th. Brazil should be proud for this overall strong results.

It was delighting to see Carlos Augusto Amaral Paes de Barros joy at the prize giving ceremony !

1st novelty : the Ladies Race.

Fontainebleau : a reference race

Fontainebleau was also the 1st round on 4, of a new french Championships named « Masters 160km ».

Sabrina Arnold continued her winning ways

Carlos Augusto Amaral Paes de Barros / Koheilan Kajla

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Sabrina Arnold on Bolt de Venelles

Shaikha Najla bint Saqer Al Khalifa on Valdajir

After winning two Festival rides in Belgium last year, Arnold once again hogged the limelight with a classy win in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s ‘In the Year of Zayed’ series 120km ride on Saturday, March 31.

Championship ! We are in a great reflexion …»

Sabrina Arnold, riding Bolt de Venelles, finished ahead French rider Laetitia Pegaz Tocquet on Azur du Colombier while in third place was Bahrain’s Mohammed Hilal Al Khatri on Tarik Daragon.

“The Festival’s rides seem to be really good for me. This is the fourth big win in a Festival supported ride in the last three years,” said Arnold after yet another fine display of skill and technique.

Only 1 race for 2018 and a large thought on its organization.

The Ladies race was one of the novelties and the GPS tracking was another one.

Grand Parquet Endurance signed a partnership with T-Track in order to strengthen the safety of riders. Via this system, the riders circle can follow them in real time.

The President of Grand Parquet Endurance, Gilles Cabardos decided for this year, to organize only one race instead of the usual 2. « We will keep 2 races, one in March or beginning of April and another one in October. But we are thinking of a different program, especially for the 2nd race. Our wish is to organize a Championship … a World Championship ! We are in a great reflexion …»

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If Fontainebleau is and will still be Fontainebleau, the team is thinking on how they can give this event another impetus. New partners ? New communication ? New tracks ? All these options and much more, are the reasons why there will be only one race in Fontainebleau for this year.

Text: Anne Jonchery Photos : Léon Blurck, Anne Jonchery , Cidinha Franzão and François Kerbaul

« We have a heart-relation with Brazil » This is how Gilles Cabardos defines his feeling with Brazil and especially with a man : Dr Guilherme Ferreira Santos. « He is the one who has encouraged me to organize this race. Since 2011, Guilherme has accompanied us. And now, we receive more and more riders from this part of the continent » Dr Ferreira Santos speaks highly of him : « There is a respectful and admiration relationship between Gilles Cabardos and me. Encourage projects and people with great potential is a part of me. Grand Parquet Endurance and its organization, has given good vibes to endurance ans

its stakeholders. The Grand Parquet is a World Theater for equestrian sports wich values the discipline giving it space in its calendar.

I had no hesitation in fostering Gilles to organize his 1st race in Fontainebleau because our sport always need « quality builders », just like him.

I like Fontainebleau for a long time now, when I was a jumping judge during the Grande Semaine of Fontainebleau. I like the all Organizing Comittee, that make Endurance evolves, because this discipline depends on the quality of these events to shift and to be respected.

THANK YOU FONTAINEBLEAU ! »

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Icy winds and warm hearts in Feldborg

By Anne Mette Holm Halvorsen

Kaspara Grude (509) and Kine Eiesland Holen (510)

The Feldborg endurance ride marks the beginning of the endurance season every year in Denmark. It is held in a large pine tree plantation in the western parts of the country and is very popular with riders from the Scandinavian and other European countries due to the long stretches and good footing that allows for a steady speed and a good way to start the horses up for the coming season.

Kine Eiesland Holen on ASE Rahyeelah (16.15 km/h) and Anna Remmare on Zigard (15.79 km/h) respectively, both from Norway.

This year the effects of a special weather phenomenon over the Arctic, leading to wintery conditions unusually late in the season, challenged the riders with frozen ground and very icy winds blowing, even snow at times. The cold could not dampen the spirit of the hardy endurance riders and their horses, however, and the mood was happy and relaxed throughout the event as is the norm at Feldborg.

It was a two day event and Sunday March 18 the 81 kilometers CEI* was won by Danish rider Conny Villadsen on CA Redondo Ox with a speed of 13.23 km/h. The national 81 kilometers ride was won by reigning Danish champion Anne Wejlemand Nielsen on Million Dollar Baby (13.38 km/h).

As many as 20 riders started in the longest 120 kilometer CEI** ride with participants from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Holland on March 17. It was won with a speed of 16.15 km/h by Norwegian rider Kaspara Grude on SR Noah. She also won Best Condition. Second and third came 20

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Norway also dominated the next class, 81 kilometers CEI*, with Ellen Suhr on Shah Nahim (17.03 km/h) winning, followed by Mariann Seglem on Ortero (16.68 km/h) and Sarah Kjørberg on Toruk Bey (15.72 km/h).

Both officials and riders have expressed their satisfaction with the ride and fortunately most of the ride took place inside the forest where the trees offered protection from the wind. Stables at the competition ground were opened for the riders and their horses during breaks. The footing was extraordinarily hard this year because of the frost, and the ride to and from the forest was

tough with icy winds blowing straight at the riders and horses. The competition grounds were also mainly an open space. But everyone helped each other and bundled up to keep the cold at bay.

Organizer of the ride, Danish vet and chiropractor Patricia Hass Pilborg, participated both days in the 81 kilometer rides on her own horses. She has organized 13 rides in Feldborg since the beginning in 2011, with Christmas rides also being introduced in later years. Patricia Hass Pilborg was Danish champion in 2016, but 2017 was spent battling a cancer diagnosis, and although she still found the energy to organize the ride last year, unfortunately she was not able to defend her championship. The Feldborg ride this year was therefore her comeback to the sport and she is very happy with the way her body responded to the 160 kilometers over two days.

The tough endurance rider already has firm and ambitious plans for this 2018 season.

Results: http://feldborgridtet.dk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ Results-for-the-Feldborg-Ride-2018.pdf Patricia Hass Pilborg

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Saeed Al Khayari reigns supreme in Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup

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UAE’s Saeed Hamoud Al Khayari aboard 8-yearold Dahi was crowned champion of the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup 2018 sponsored by Emirates Airline. A memorable day for 24-yearold rider, as he registered undoubtedly his biggest career win.

Al Khayari completed the four loops in a time of 04:20:28, over two minutes ahead of his closest rival and compatriot Ahmed Ali Saif Al Nassiri, who finished second aboard Vista Du Barthas.

The purpose-built Dubai International Endurance city played host to the prestigious CEI** 120 km Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup. HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai along with His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council were at the venue to witness the ride.

Speaking after the win Al Khayari said: “This is one of the most important races in the UAE, and I am very pleased to have won such a prestigious race in front of the people of the UAE. There were over 400 participants, from all over the world, and it was a very strong field, with

representatives from well-established local and international stables, and some top-ranked international riders, so this win was an important one for me.

“The final stage of the race was very tough and highly-competitive. The riders really picked up speed and were giving it their 100 percent to try and win.”

The 24-year-old added: “I would like to dedicate this win to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as well as to the people of the UAE.” The first group of competitors set off on the 120 km, 4 loop course at seven am, the distance for the first loop was 40 kms, at the end of which the winner Al Khayari was in fifteenth position, he picked up the pace in the 35 km second loop, to finish in second position, and then he moved up a spot in the 27km third loop to take the lead, a position he held on to in the final 18 km loop as well.

The young rider who represents the M7 stables kept a consistent pace, with an average speed

Amy Louise McAuley on Huitru XR (right) and Cecilia Garcia on Univers De Bonance Arabian Horse Intl

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on the horse was 27.64 kms per hour, across the four loops, giving his trainer Mohammed Ali Subose plenty to celebrate.

The top 13 spots went to UAE riders, which was an impressive showing in a record field of 413 runners from close to 50 countries. Riders from across Asia, North and South America, Australia and Africa participated in this 2018 running of the prestigious Dubai Crown prince Endurance Cup which is named for His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council.

along as they moved up from tenth at the end of the first phase into second going into the final phase and clocked an average speed of 29.99kph, which saw them finish the ride with a time of 3:20.04. In second place was Rashed Saeed Al Kamda aboard Ra7il with a time of 3:21.05, while third place went to Saeed Ahmad Jaber Al Harbi and Aracos Kaluha, who completed the ride in 3:22.24.

The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline was the highlight of the week long Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival, which featured a total of four rides. The other three rides were the CEN 100 km Dubai Crown Prince Ride for Ladies, the CEN 100 km Dubai Crown Prince Ride Restricted to Private Stables/ Individuals, the CENÂ 120 km Yamamah Endurance Cup for Mares.

A tiny dose of good fortune combined with a well calculated ride helped Amy Louise McAuley and Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri turn up winners of their respective events at the prestigious Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Rides at Dubai International Endurance City. Both witnessed the leading rider and horse pairs in their competitions get eliminated en route to victory. And while McAuley clinched the Ladies ride aboard the F3 Stables-owned Huitru XR, Al Marri was victorious aboard the Hamdan Saeed Jaberowned Eo Rakassah Anik in the ride restricted to Private Stables and Individuals.

McAuley and Huitru XR, trained by Khalifa Ghanim Al Marri, went about their business at an average speed of 30.52kphand won with a time of 3 hours 16 minutes and 37 seconds.

The F3 Stable pair rode across the finish alongside teammates Cecilia Garcia, who sat aboard Univers De Bonance, and was placed second just one second adrift. In third place was M7 Endurance Stables rider Maialen Calvo Ibanez, who completed the ride aboard Sameem in a time of 3:17.56. The CEN 100km ride had been broken down into three phases of 40, 40 and 20kms and McAuley hovered close to the top from the start.

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Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri and EO Rakassah Anik Source: Dubai Racing Club and Cidinha FranzĂŁoPhoto credit: Morhaf Al Assaf

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Naomi O’Shaughnessey on Castlebar Party Girl and Carla Barakat on Nina

ESNZ Endurance Nationals a Trans Tasman affair

By Daryl Owen. Photos courtesy of Country Road Photography

Easter weekend saw the 41st running of the ESNZ Endurance National Championships. This was the final event of five in the FEI series for this season. Points have accrued over the series for horse and rider combination according to distance completed, placing in the event and the number of competitors in each event. Mitavite and Toft Endurance have been major sponsors of the series this year, along with Prodosa Boost.

The major sponsor for Nationals however was Fiber Fresh and the large stack of Fiber Fresh feed was a welcome sight when riders arrived at base.

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This year’s Nationals were held at Brooksdale Station in Springfield, Canterbury, in the shadow of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. The course was run on the Canterbury plains – a relatively flat course with a few good climbs. This area was once river bed - even the long grassy paddocks had a rocky base and uneven stretches of ground.

Riders had to maintain focus from beginning to end. The views throughout were stunning with lovely vistas of the Alps as the sun came up and stunning views of the Waimakariri River in the first loop. The weather improved throughout the

day and the early morning conditions were perfect for the 3am start of the 160km championship event.

Endurance has never claimed to be an easy sport.

Getting a horse to the start line of a 160km ride is often an achievement in itself, and getting to the end unscathed is often as much a matter of luck as skill or fitness. A championship course should provide challenge, and this one certainly did. The vets were vigilant for gait irregularities and of the 14 starters only five earned the coveted completion buckle.

This season has seen a number of Australian riders competing the FEI events in New Zealand.

Naomi O’Shaughnessey brought her horse Castlebar Party Girl to NZ in October and has been travelling here to compete since then. Heading into this final event in the Championship series and FEI series Naomi held a commanding lead in the FEI series, and was one point behind Alison Higgins and Northwinds Apollo for the Championship series.

From the outset it was O’Shaughnessey on Castlebar Party Girl and Alison Higgins on Twynham El Desiree in the lead. The third loop saw Carla Barakat on Nina move up to the lead with O’Shaughnessey, and Higgins drop back to ride with Penny Toft on Delilah te.

As the day wore on the field thinned out, with

six of the starters heading out for the final loop.

This loop was widely regarded as the least favourite during the weekend. It had the appearance of being easy terrain, but there were a number of changes in footing, including a couple of paddocks peppered with round river rocks that promised to roll a tired fetlock if you weren’t careful.

With a commanding lead, and still riding together, it was all eyes on the leaders for the gallop finish. Keeping a watchful eye on the competition Naomi stayed just ahead without needing to gallop, as Carla fought to keep her balance after losing a stirrup. A well judged ride and a well deserved win, with a final time of 11:39:17.

Naomi is on the list of possible for the Australian WEG team, so we’ll be looking out for her all going well. Naomi also received the trophy for shortest total recovery time. Carla fought hard and earned her second place completion.

Cruising in on her own a short time later Penny Toft took third place. Penny is also on the Australian WEG list. Fourth place was claimed by Helen Graham and Sherwood Volos, crossing the line in time to earn a place in the judging for Best Conditioned. The judging for Best Conditioned was held the following day, with the award going to Carla Barakat’s Nina, despite her obvious opinion on galloping when there was no one to race against. Endurance horses are never shy of

160km JY riders Kate James on Chartei (left) and Ana Whitehead on Royston Zaria

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also awarded Best Conditioned.

With 30 classes on offer over the weekend some distances had less entries than others. The 101km event had three entries; all very competitive Penelope Val and Mareeka Siraya took the win in 7:34:01, followed soon after by Robyn Hill and Purdak. Penelope and Mareeka Siraya were also awarded Best Conditioned.

Saturday’s riders had to contend with high winds.

Those left at base struggled to hold down marquees and tents as the Canterbury North West wind blew right through to mid afternoon, when it suddenly stopped. The past few years have seen a real upsurge in Competitive Trail Riding.

With many people finding it difficult to make the time to train a long distance horse and to travel away to competitions the local Canterbury Endurance and CTR club have done a great job of promoting this limited distance discipline.

Philip Graham on Rosewood Bashir

expressing an opinion.

The Junior class of the 160km had three starters.

Hannah and Ana Whitehead rode together for the majority of the ride. Hannah and Dundevale Nazecca unfortunately went out lame with one loop to go, leaving sister Ana, riding Deirdre Bartlett’s Craig Royston Zaria and Kate James on Chartei to fight it out for the title. Ana crossed the line narrowly ahead Kate (the current South Island 160km JY champion) for the win in a time of 12:05:54. Ana and Craig Royston Zaria were

Anna Graham and AH Loop the Loop took the win in the Open 64km CTR event with only 3 time faults. The majority of the entries in CTR were in the shorter distance classes. Paula Kerr and Shardan Shelby won the Intermediate 40km class on a score of 110. Debby Worsfold and Oscar were closer to the optimum time but couldn’t beat Shardan Shelby’s heart rates, finishing in second place, and Anna Hynes and Lightning Joe took third place. Emma Watson and Little Victory took the win in the CTR Junior 40km on 99 points.

The 21km Novice was by far the largest CTR class.

Paula Kerr and Emma Watson (Senior and Junior winners of the 40km Intermediate CTR

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Nicki Sonne and Jet Setter took the win. The next three placings finished on the same points total so placings needed to be determined from those finishing closest to the optimum time. Second place went to Julie-Anne Sime on Vogue and third to Marga Marshall and BG Iman.

This season has seen a lot of young riders stepping up from lead rein classes to compete independently. Abigail and Adam Enstrom made a good job of the 21km Junior CTR, Abigail taking first place and Adam in third, with Lily Ellis is second place. In the 10km novice class it was Nikki Balemi in first, with Robyn Lewis second and Jill Stephenson in third, and Emma Stephenson in the junior class. It was truly a showcase for the family nature of endurance in New Zealand.

Saturday also saw the 61km Endurance Championship. Two combinations at this point have been recognised as Decade teams, and one of these is Philip Graham and Wolfgang Amadeus. They made short work of the 61km course in a winning time of 4:06:04. Deirdre Swain and Blacknight Mako finished half an hour later for second and Cathy Nolan took third on Mr Detroit.

Sunday started, again, at 3am with the 120km Championship heading out on a crisp clear morning under a glorious full moon. Alison Higgins on Northwinds Apollo and Philip Graham on Rosewood Bashir took the early lead and stayed there all day. Heidi Bulfin and Stonelea Sparkling Rose stayed in touch with the leaders throughout, despite a fall earlier in the day – horse fine,

rider a little sore. The final came down to inevitable gallop finish, Alison crossing the line first for the title. Philip claimed Best Conditioned. Heidi kept a steady and careful pace at the last and took third place.

There was also an 80km event. All endurance classes 80km and over were offered as combined CEI and CEN, with exactly the same rules and conditions. Most classes had several CEN entries. The 80km event was an almost even split between CEI and CEN. Cruising in to the finish together it was Bill Croft and Hine Hukatere who crossed the line first, ahead of Jeane Neale on Kahuna Whispa. Andrea Smith took third place on Glenmore Tornato, a young mare at the beginning of her endurance career.

The goodwill, sportsmanship and camaraderie at this event was second to none. Sponsors commented on it and it was evident to all. It was wonderful to meet with sponsors during the weekend to discuss their products (and the difference they have made to our horses and performance). It was also great for the sponsors to be able to see endurance and CTR first hand to gain a greater understanding of what we do and why we are so passionate about it. Here it is a summer sport. There are still a number of shorter distance rides to come, often used by people bringing through novice horses for next season.

The end of year Prizegiving is coming up in July.

The draft calendar for next season will be out before then, and you can rest assured there will be much planning and anticipation for both.

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Intimate show by Inti-Illimani Histórico marked the closing of the 14th edition of the Enduro Ecuestre Torres del Paine

With a great success of assistance, the Enduro Equestre Torres del Paine 2018 was held in the outskirts of Hotel Las Torres, located within the Cerro Paine Reserve.

The sports event, which attracted more than 70 national and international participants, concluded with an intimate show by Inti-Illimani Histórico.

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At 8:00 am on Saturday, April 14, the 14th version of the Enduro Ecuestre Torres del Paine Copa Las Torres 2018 was released. The first to start were the participants in the 100 km category, followed by the 80 km, 60 km and 40 km. With a beautiful day, although somewhat cloudy, the more than 70 riders, national and international, ventured with their horses through the most beautiful places in the region of Magallanes. The previous day the 20km promotional category was run, which had 6 participants from 4 years, reflecting the family character of this Endurance date.

ered in this race that also marks the beginning of the 2018-2019 regional championship season.

Lake Nordenskjoeld, Seron Camp, Dickson Path, the Horns Trail and the plains of Torres del Paine National Park were some of the scenarios cov-

After hours and hours of intense journeys, the first places of the Enduro Ecuestre Torres del Paine were Daneska Goic in 100 km Adult, James

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“It is very nice to see how this sport has grown and I am also proud that it is done here at Hotel Las Torres, which this year also celebrated its twenty-fifth season, since it opened as Hostería Las Torres. In addition, the closing event has been consolidated as an additional attraction, with renowned artists who give us a great show, “assured the executive director of Reserva Cerro Paine, Mauricio Kusanovic.

Mahan in 80 km Adult, Diego Miranda in 80 km Junior, Miguel Mayorga in 60 km Adult, Milan Kusanovic in 60 km Junior, Alejandro Reyes in 40 km Adult and Daniel Bahamonde in 40 km Junior.

The traditional equine competition had its beginning and end at Las Torres Patagonia Hotel, where they shared a group of baqueanos and riders together in an event that managed to show and transmit the culture, traditions and customs of the region. “I would love for this event to start positioning both inside and outside of Chile and to spread the word that the month of April at Hotel Las Torres in Torres del Paine is the Equestrian Enduro, which is not only a challenging competition, it is done in a unique environment. We invite you to participate, since it is not directed exclusively to those who compete, but to all those who want to approach and participate in traditions and events typical of the area, riders, families, friends and the whole community, “said Mauricio Kusanovic.

After the award ceremony, held in the hall of Hotel Las Torres, we had the finishing touch. The renowned national group Inti-Illimani HistĂłrico took the stage and enjoyed the nearly 300 attendees of the show, with songs recognized within national music.

Diego Miranda - 1st place 80km Junior

80km Adult: 1st place James Mahan (right) and 2nd Antonia Kimber

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60km Adults: Andres Velasquez (3rd), Miguel Mayorga (1st) and Vicente Silva (2nd)

20km Potrillo: Dusan Kusanovic, Davor Kusanovic, Julieta Reyes, Monserrat Bahamondez, Daneska Ulloa, Rolf Eberhards

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40k Adultos Pilar Simunovic, Nikolas Luksic, Alejandro Reyes

40km Junior: 1st place Daniel Bahamonde, 2nd place Agustina Valdes

1st place 60km Junior: Milan Kusanovic

Text and photos: Reserva Cerro Paine

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Pedro Godinho wins in Badajoz

Several Portuguese sets were competing in the XIX Raid Hípico El Corzo Federation Cup, a ride that was run on April 14, 2018, in Badajoz, organized by the El Corzo Riding School and FHTEX, under the direction of the Extremadura Equestrian Federation.

durance Brasil, owned by Léo Steinbruch, and is trained by the Amieira Endurance, headed by the rider Pedro Godinho.

Pedro Godinho, riding Montalban Endurance, was the winner of the CEN* 80km, with the race done at 04h24m39s with an average speed of 18.14km / h. Second Spaniard Almudena Albarrán riding Baraka ALB with ride time of 05:20:50 and average speed of 14.96 km / h, followed by Francisco Luque Bevia with Candela Dos Torres (05:20:51 and 14,96 km / h). Also representing Portugal Ivan Trabuco Gaspar on Batalyaws AR finished in the 4th position (05h22m28s at 14.89 km / h).

In the remaining races there were also Portuguese in the top three places. In the CEN 80 km Carlos Alberto Lopes, with Gondiola, qualified in 2nd place (05h39m32s at 14.14 km / h). In the CET 60 km José Luis Balsinhas in Vanitas de la Cassine was 2nd (04h18m16s at 13.94 km / h).

Also in the CET 40 km there was a Portuguese in 2nd place, João Raposo, with Iran (02:59m16s at 13.72 km / h).

Montalban Endurance belongs to the Haras En34

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Esperanza Alonso Calero who rode Nevada won the first place in CENO 80 km (05:39:30 and 14.14 km / h).

Carla Laureano, Revista Equitação Photo: Courtesy Pedro Godinho

Luis Miguel Barradas is National Young Rider Champion of Portugal

The National Championship of Juniors and Young Riders of Portugal was held on Saturday, April 21, in Fronteira, at the Raid International Fronteira Atoleiros Luis Miguel Barradas is the new national champion of Juniors and Young Riders. Mounting Figo de S. Pedro, the young rider made the 120 km in 06h04m32s, at an average speed of 19,751 km / h. The runner-up title was won by Miguel Brasão mountind Ferrari, with ride time of 06h26m38s, at 18,622km / h. Pedro Sá e Ameida finished third in Ginja with the race done at 06:55:59, at 17,308 km / h.

In the race of 120 km have been registered 23 sets, winning Maria Prazeres, with Tejo do Cambou (06h04m25s, 19.758 km / h).

Disputou-se ainda um CEI* de 80 km, onde foi

melhor Paulo Serrano, na sela de Velasquez, com um tempo de 04h11m50s, a 19,060 km/h. No CEP 80 km a vitória foi para Esperanza Alonso Calero, com Enjoy Palmtree (05h38m47s, a 14,168 km/h). Nuno Duarte, com Sevilha, foi o vencedor do CEP 40 km (02h41m29s, a 14,862 km/h), enquanto Rita Pereira, com Mahadjela de La Gesse, venceu o CEP 20km (02h03m16s, a 9,735 km/h).

A CEI* 80km was also disputed and Paulo Serrano riding Velasquez was the winner with a ride time of 04:11m50s, at 19,060 km / h. At CEP 80 km the victory went to Esperanza Alonso Calero with Enjoy Palmtree (05h38m47s, at 14.168 km / h). Nuno Duarte, with Sevilha, was the winner of the CEP 40 km (02h41m29s, at 14,862 km / h), while Rita Pereira, with Mahadjela de La Gesse, won the CEP 20km (02h03m16s, at 9,735km / h).

Carla Laureano, Revista Equitação

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María Álvarez Pontón Champion of Spain

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Double victory of María Álvarez Pontón, twice endurance champion world, in Tordera when she won the CEI*** 160 KM Spanish Endurance Championship 2018 with T’aime de Coeur and the CEI2** race with Shagya Endurance the day before. The binomials of Juma’s Team dominated both races, winning Paula Muntala the championship silver with Shamann de Bodraden and completing the podium of the CEI2** Sandra Dachs with Elfie Salvert and Omar Blanco with Aiglon de la Crois. The bronze of the Championship of Spain went to Marta Matas with IV Style.

The X Raid Hípico of Tordera was held at the Parc Prudenci Bertrana, in Tordera, Barcenola, from 19 to 21 April and was organized by the Club Hípic De Garbí. The event consisted of 4 races of different distances, where more than 150 pairs of 15 different nationalities participated. The great attraction of the weekend was, undoubtedly, the celebration of the Spanish Raid Championship, which crowned María Álvarez as the best Spanish rider of 2018.

The CEI3*** of the Spanish Championship of Raid 2018, in absolute category, was held on Saturday, April 21, in Tordera, on a route of 160 kilometers divided into 6 phases of 38, 37, 29, 18, 20 and 18 kilometers respectively. Twenty-six pairs partici-

pated and from the first kilometers a head group of 7 was formed that reached the first loop in this order: Álex Luque with Abha Quely, María Álvarez and Paula Muntala with T’aime de Coeur and Shamann de Bodraden, Omar Blanco with Diogène de Monsavis, Emma Rosell and Robert Diez with Danco and Udji de Beders, and Juan Carlos Curto with Americano. They were followed by a quartet about 12 minutes, two more binomials 10 minutes later, and the rest at almost half an hour.

“I was lucky enough to run two excellent horses and the 160 race was very strong, it was a very hot day and I was with a horse that knows and likes this trail and we were fortunate to be three horses of the same team in the final step and we wanted to save the horses to finish well. In fact it was not our goal to win the championship, but to prepare horses for Tryon’s world championship and we were fortunate to win the title, “said Ponton.

In the second and third phase the leading group increased their advantage, but in the third vetgate Abha Quely and Danco did not pass the control of trot, the same as Udji of Beders in the fourth vetgate. In the fifth phase Juan Carlos Curto with Americano, and despite moderating their speed,

Maria Álvarez Pontón and Shagya Endurance CEI** winner

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they did not pass the metabolic of the fifth vetgate. In the final María Álvarez entered first, followed by Omar Blanco and Paula Muntala, but in the qualifying vetgate Diogène de Monsavis did not pass the trot, and the bronze medal went to Marta Matas and IV Style, who reached more than an hour of the winners.

In the CEI2** of 123 kilometers divided in 4 loops (38 km, 28 km, 38 km and 18 km), disputed on Friday, April 20, participated 45 sets. In the first phase the group of head was formed by 5 binomials, 3 of the Juma’s Team and 2 French. They were followed by a quartet to 10 minutes, a group of 13 to something more than 20 minutes and the others all more than half an hour. In the third phase the French Gregoire Tilquin was left behind, and in the final phase the French Josephine Thomas could not keep up. María Álvarez entered the finishing line with Shagya Endurance, followed by Sandra Dachs with Elfie Salvert and Omar Blanco with Aigon de La Crois.

In the CEIYJ2** on the same course and with 13 participating pairs, there was a group of 5 in the lead in the first phase, and 1 less in the second, by elimination in the trot. Then 1 was withdrawn at the end of the second phase, with 3 leading pairs until they cross the finishing line with Jana 38

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Oms won with Valkiry the Coudrelle in first place followed by Julia Serrabassa with For Trampesy and Bruna Pujols with SW Duo. In the CEI1* of 84 kilometers divided in 3 phases (38 km, 28 km and 18 km), 61 pairs participated.

The victory went to Carlos Pacheco with Guda in front of Álex Luque with Elshir and Julia Montagne with Saprima de Bouzouls.

The Meydan Raid of Tordera SportHG 2018 passed without incident and with the support of the Royal Equestrian Federation of Spain, which celebrated the great party of Spanish endurance in Tordera. With the celebration, for two consecutive years, of the Championship of Spain, and the great growth of registered riders, the Raid has established itself as the great Spanish event of this discipline, and one of the most important in southern Europe.

Congratulations to all!

Results: http://www.enduranceonline.it/db/ db_result_details.php?IDGara=2018-04-21,%20 Tordera%20(ESP),%20cat.%20CEI3*,%20X%20 Raid%20de%20Tordera,%20Spanish%20Endurance%20Championship%202018 Source: © Daniel Fenaux - Real Federación Hípica Española

Jana Oms winner of CEIYJ**

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Italians dominate HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival endurance rides in Sardegna

Luca Zappettini riding Agraria and Stefano Mori on Aechmea della Bosana The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival made a stop in Arborea -a town in the province of Oristano, Sardinia, Italy – to stage endurance rides as part of ‘SARDEGNA ENDURANCE FESTIVAL’ on Saturday, April 21.

On Saturday’s the Festival supported rides which included the two-star HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies CEI** Cup and the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup apart from a three-star 160-km ride, all as part of the Festival’s Year of Zayed as it marks the 100th birth anniversary of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Adrien Benedetti from France on Uzim d’Altare prevented an Italian domination after winning the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup (Open) Two-star 120-km ride 40

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while it was the host country riders who won the remaining rides in the Sardegna Endurance Festival in Arborea -a town in the province of Oristano, Sardinia, Italy on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Benedetti on Uzim d’Altare with a ride time of 6 hrs 40 minutes and 23 seconds was way ahead of Italians Antonello Mulas on Su Rai (7:15.45) and Marco Angeli on Sabra Nirwana.

Italian Luca Zappettini riding Agraria won the ‘In the Year of Zayed’ 160-km CEI Three Star ride with Stefano Mori on Aechmea della Bosana and Chiara Marrama on Quintaessenza finishing in that order.

The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies 120km Two Star ride was again an Italian sweep but ended in a close contest with Linda Iosa on Giorgio (6:42.59) winning from Giada Bottiglia on So-

Adrien Benedetti on Uzim d’Altare raia (6:43.49). Elisabetta Montanari on Verbena della Bosana finished third in a time of 6:44.44.

for their support,” said Riccardo Giachino, Director of Horse Country Resort.

In the 120-km Two Star ride for Juniors and Young Riders, Chiara Bruschi on CG Twice Nimroz finished ahead of Valentina Galli on Nordai.

“The course develops over 20000 hectares of reclaimed land, the soft and flat ground allows a fast speed but always safe as we consider the welfare of the horses a priority,’ the ride organizer said.

Alessandro Generali rode A Big Aladyr to victory in the 90Km CEI One star ride with French rider Rollland Vergé on Malik’sha d’Olmarellu in second place. Carmine Calvanese on Luke finished third.

Al the rides were held under the umbrella of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival in association with Horse Country Resort and the Italian Equestrian Federation.

Together with the Horse Country Resort and the Italian Equestrian Federation, the endurance rides were held on one of the most pleasant and safe tracks in Europe. Four loops - the red loop of 35km, the white and yellow loop of 25km and the green loop of 20km- were the stages for the rides.

“We are very proud to be staging these events and we thank the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival

“The breathtaking views of the area will amaze the riders during the competition, the sea and the local countryside will entertain both riders and competitors’ crews.”

Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) said, “Endurance is a sport that the Festival is very keen to support and we have been doing this with a special focus on lady riders and young riders. This year in 2018 we not only mark the 10th anniversary of the Festival but more important the 100th birth anniversary of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder and father of the UAE.” Arabian Horse Intl

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Ms. Lara Sawaya thanked HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and the strong support of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Mother of the UAE for their support to the sport of Endurance Riding.

Source: HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan Photos: Oreste Testa - Sport Endurance Evo

Chiara with CG Twice Nimros

Linda Iosa with Giorgio

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David Ramirez winner of the CEI3*** in Casablanca, Chile Internationally renowned for its vast wine production, the Casablanca Valley is nestled between the coastal mountain range and the Pacific Ocean in the valleys of central Chile.

Perseverancia Pan de Azucar respectively, they burned stages without problems and with more than 10 minutes from the rest of the riders. They finally completed the 160km as if it were easy‌!!!

Just 45 minutes from Santiago and ValparaĂ­so, this fertile valley is characterized by a refined production of white wine and its Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc varieties.

David Ramirez completed the 160km with a ride time of 08:30:11 and average speed od 18,82 km/h, while David Ramirez Jr in 08:30:19 averaging 18,81 km/h,

This competition, programmed from 40 to 160 km, was carried out on april 28, near the Perales dam, a natural source of water for the wildlife of the area and for our horses; a magical rural setting surrounded by vineyards and native trees such as Maiten (Maytenus magellanica), Quillay (Quillaja saponaria), Peumo (Cryptocarya alba) and Boldo (Peumus boldus).

From the 13 entries for the CEI3* 160km competition, just 9 of them finished it, including a rider from China, Jia Huilin with the horse Gran Visir with an average speed of 16,9 km/hr, arriving in 6th place.

Until the vineyard came great horses with experience in the distance and young promises that come to prove the category. The speed and the track played havoc, separating the group until the definition on the last lap.

Starting at 05:30 in a dark early morning, David Ramirez and David Ramirez Jr. went out to find the 160km race, divided in five loops of 40km, 40km, 30km, 30km and 20km. Early, they marked the step and imposed the speed to everyone who wanted to follow them. Mounted in S.H. Ciro and 44

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In CEI2* 120 (40km, 30km, 30km and 20km) won Javier Melero with Jalisco and in second place Nicole Hammersley with Gran Marques, with an average speed of 19,7 and 18 km/hr respectively.

From the 17 entries, 7 completed the race.

Selene Sanchez mounting Perseverancia Pupi was the winner in the CEYJ2** 120 km, followed

by Antonella Girona on PS Lautaro. Both completed the track with an average speed of 22,2 km/h and 22,01 km/h respectively.

In her first CEI1*, 80km Young Riders (30km, 30km and 20km), Sofia Llorens riding ML Ray managed to get the first place in her category by

playing the lead from the first round. Averaging almost 21.9km/h Sofia demanded her space in the podium and scared every one in the Young Riders category. Second placed in the race was Consuelo Marchant Cardenas with Champulli Ali. In the CEI1* 80km Senior the winner was Antonio Lopez mounting Punta Del Viento Amalik followed by Ornella Balducci Moulinie with Los Morros Champiñong. Lopez led the race from the first stage and completed the 80km with an average speed of 22,96 km/h.

In the national competence, 85 riders were riding between the vineyards, enjoying the colourful autumn between the trees. And the winners were: Ernesto de la Fuente on Abdallah (CEN1* 80km Senior); Jose Spoerer Vergara riding Pukawel Aventurero (CEN1* 80km Young Riders); Francisco Boetsch Vicuña with Columba (CEN 60km Senior); Amparo Lopez Horta mounting Inesperado (CEN 60km Young Riders); Javiera Gajardo on Tan Tan (40km Senior); Amelia Larrain on HF Wafiq (40km Young Riders) and Jose Farrach with Joshua (20km Promocional).

Text: Andre Alvarez Valenzuela and Ivan Nuñez Prado Photos: Francisco Boetsch Tagle

Javier Melero with Jalisco

Selene Sanchez on Perseverancia Pupi

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Pedro Stefani Marino is the Brazilian champion with Al Saida Larzac

Held since 1998, the Haras Endurance International Endurance Race (HEI) is organized in the same place and same date (last weekend of April) to the present day. Thanks to this tradition, the realization of important auction (most of them horse-breeding Haras Endurance) and the constant presence of foreign competitors, the HEI gained importance in the international calendar and becomes more competitive every year. That’s why it’s America’s most traditional FEI race.

After the races and the auction the award is held in which the highlight is the delivery of the Elizabeth van Schelle and Roberto Fernandes trophies (created in 2001), for the champion of the long distance race and the Best Condition category respectively. As these trophies are of transient possession, they stay in the stud farm and each year a plaque with the name of the winning horse and rider is added, making the trophy tell some of the history of the race.

This year on April 28th and 29th, in addition to 46

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races CEI *** 160 km, CEI** 120 km, CEI* / CEN* 80 km, CEN 60 km, 40 km and 20 km were also disputed the Brazilian National Championships 120 km, Senior and Young Riders categories, and 80km (national races only), Senior, Young Riders and Junior categories.

Pedro Stefani Marino with Al Saida Larzac (06:07:13 and 19,61 km / h) won the CEI** 120 km race in fierce competition with José Caio Frisoni Vaz Guimarães who rode Monalisa CRH (06:07:18 and 19,6 km / h, runner up) and became the Brazilian Senior Champion, as well as winning the Elizabeth van Schelle Trophy. And Carlos Augusto Amaral Paes de Barros’s mount, Veriano Rach, won the Best Condition of the ride and got the Roberto Fernandes Trophy.

In the Young Riders category, the winner was Tiago Manetta B. de Lana riding El Gazaal Dinn RET (06:38:28 and 18.07 km / h), which in addition to winning the Best Condition also won the title of Brazilian Champion.

In the CEN* 80 km races that was also valid for the Brazilian National Championship 2018 the winners and champions were: José Antonio da Silva Machado with Eksotika Rach (04:22:07 and 18,43 km/h), Senior category; Eduardo Freitas Borges with Thelos T (05:06:50 and 15,74 km/h) Young Rider and Pedro Pupo Mastrorosa with Mylla Bey HVP (05:14:22 and 15,36 km/h) Junior category.

Fernando Gonçalves Costa, from Brasília, was the only participant in the 160-kilometer event. With his mount Pauba HEB he completed the trail in 10:01:22 with an average speed of 16.06 and as his horse was in excellent condition, he was awarded the Best Condition.

In the international races of 1 star 80 km the winners were Elisa da Silva Penna Chaves with HMR El Deb Arina (05:07:12 and 15,72 km/h), Young Riders category and the rider from Minas Gerais Telmo José de Sousa Góes with Samira Trio (04:31:30 and 17.82 km/h), in the Senior category.

Also was carried out the race of short distance 60 km and the first places went to Pedro Pupo Mastrorosa with San Jose Cesareo, Junior category; Luciana Rehder Toledo with Light Year Rach, Young Rider category and Renato Quagliato Alves de Almeida with Dgenzir El Dinar, Adult

category.

In the 40 km race, Gianluigi Sellmer Antoni with Equus Endurance won in the Young category, while Carolina Rocca Borges with SB Tawil conquered the first place in the Junior category and Flavio Daccache with Costa Azul Endurance in the Adult category.

The big surprise was for the 20 km race and proved the saying Like father, like son. At only six years old, Eli Peres Steinbruch riding Marchador won in the Mirim category. And it seems that the little one will follow the passion of his father, Léo Steinbruch, and who knows is not born in the tracks of Haras Endurance a future champion!

In the Adult category, Valter José Pascotto riding Luna finished first and Max Perlman Rabinovitz on Tigresa HEB was the winner in the Young category.

The race track is known to be mixed with flat parts and bumpy parts. The most famous passage is the walk around the lake, performed at all stages, in which one can enjoy the scenery with the morning fog or see capybaras in the middle of the day. It is a stretch of 2 km totally flat and with good flooring. Thanks to the possibility of seeing all the horses that are in this loop, it also has a strategic aspect for the competitors.

Tiago Manetta B. de Lana riding El Gazaal Dinn RET Brazilian National Champion 120 km YR

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During the races it is possible to know the flora and fauna of the region, marked by diversity and symbolized by the howler monkey (Alouatta Seniculus), which usually appears for the competitors during the race.

Eli Peres Steinbruch

Eduardo Freitas Borges with Thelos T Brazilian National Champion 80 km YR

Carlos Augusto Amaral Paes de Barros’s mount, Veriano Rach, won Roberto Fernandes Trophy

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Fernando Gonçalves Costa and Pauba HEB

José Antonio da Silva Machado with Eksotika Rach Brazilian National Champion 80 km

Text: Cidinha Franzão Photos: Stefano Iasi and Caique Augusto / Instituto Enduro Brasil

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Ederson Fernandes wins first stage of the São Paulo Championship Text and photos: Cidinha Franzão

With one of the largest structures in Latin America and modern infrastructure, the Marco Zero Riding Center hosted of the first stage of the Paulista Endurance Equestrian Championship 2018, held on March 24. The event was organized by the Enduro Brazil Institute in partnership with Rach Stud with the chancellery of the Federação Paulista de Hipismo and Confederação Brasileira de Hipismo.

The first stage was attended by 84 participants in the four national races: CEN1* 80 km, CEN Short 50

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Distance 62 km, Controlled Speed 40 km and 20 km and is a race that the riders use to prepare the animals after a period of rest. The place offers an excellent structure and well-prepared trails by Paulo Ricardo Barbério, our beloved course designer Cadão, responsible for all the trails of all the races in Brazil.

“The trails were very flat, with relatively hard ground, but with a lot of movement because it is a rural neighborhood and this year we were able to prepare a trail on a farm with many eucalyptus

trees and a soybean field that provided a good and differentiated landscape. It is a differentiated race, because it divides rural areas with farms in a differentiated place that allows varying the tracks. About a kilometer from the arrival, the horses walked in a plowed land that provided an additional difficulty in the end,” commented Cadão.

On the main CEN1* 80 km ride, Adults category, Ederson Fernandes dos Santos who rode Vendikar Rach was the winner completing the track with time of 4:08:23 and an average speed of 19.32 km / h. Second, Pedro Stefani Marino with RG Komo with time of 4:45:59 and speed of 16.78 km / h, followed by Cecilia Gazzola who rode Imosec Endurance (05:10:46 and 15.45 km / h).

In the Young Riders category the winner was Charles Gabriel Nascimento Mendes riding Domini Trio (5:10:53 and 15.44 km / h) followed by the rider of Paraná, João Pedro Bornia Antocheski with HDM Pelegrino (5:18:51 and 15 , 05 km / h).

In the CEN Short Distance 62 km race, Adult category, veteran and passionate about the sport, Jonas Sampaio Ratti riding AS Jihad (3:28:33 and 17.84 km / h) crossed first followed by Paula Rehder Toledo with Fahir Palu (03: 28: 34 and 17.84 km / h) and Alexandre Crepaldi who rode Medoc Van Ryad (03:39:41 and 16.93 km / h) in second and third places respectively.

In the Young Riders category, the winner was the bronze medal binomial by Team in the Pan

Paulo Ricardo Barbério - Cadão American on October 2017, Luciana Rehder Toledo with HNP Norman (03:39:37 and 16.94 km / h). Second, Renato Storani Saliba with Pelleus Rach (03:48:27 and 16,28 km / h) followed by Elisa da Silva Penna Chaves with HMR El Deb Arina (04:18:19 and 14,4 km / h) in third.

In Mirim category only one competitor, Pedro Pupo Mastrorosa with Mylla Bey HVP who completed the course in 4:26:36 and average speed

of 13.95 km / h.

The Controlled Speed 40 km races had the highest number of competitors because they need to qualify the horses for rides of greater distances. Flavio Daccache with Costa Azul Endurance, Wellington Augusto da Silva with Veronika Rach and Reinaldo Romano Miranda with Equus Endurance finished in first, second and third places respectively.

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Among the young, the brothers Gianluigi Sellmer Antoni with Swap Endurance and Gianlucca Sellmer Antoni with Tirado Endurance finished in first and second places followed by Luiz Felipe Pupo Galvão Rossi with San José Cesareo. And Carolina Rocca Borges with SB Tawil was the only participant in the Mirim category.

In the race of 20 km Adults the first three were: Rene Penna Chaves Neto with Charlotte MRT, André Lahoz Mendonça de Barros with T’Pol Rach and Marcelo Morettin with Babah Allou Rach.

A fact that stands out is the predominance of horse breeding of Haras Endurance and Rach Stud.

Luciana Rehder Toledo

Jonas Sampaio Ratti

Pedro Pupo Mastrorosa 52

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Fausto Sanchez is the great winner of the International Endurance “Anniversary�

It was played in Monte Hermoso and it was a great party that celebrated 20 years of endurance in Argentina.

The Argentine Equestrian Federation celebrated 20 years of endurance with an international race in the city of Monte Hermoso, located in the south of the state of Buenos Aires. The same was disputed in two days and more than a hundred binomials participated. The Argentines were accompanied by endurance riders from Belgium, England, Slovakia, Chile and Uruguay who participated with local horses.

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On Friday, April 20, at 6:30 in the morning, the 160km competitors started. The sunrise surprised the 13 participants in the first stage and the beach was the scene that starred the day and was presented as the greatest difficulty of the trail.

The dispute for the first place was between Fausto Pablo Sanchez riding Beautifull Girl and Manuela Basombrio with HSB Tapioca. And both

were winners. Sanchez crossed first and completed the 160 km in 08:05:25 with an average speed of 19.78 km / h and Basombrio (08:06:11 and 19.75 km / h) won the Best Condition for his mare HSB Tapioca. Of the 13 who left, seven completed the race.

“HSB Tapioca, second in 160 km and Best Condition. Undoubtedly we have something special together. You are impressive: five 120km races, a Pan-American and now in your first 160km you did not fail me. Thank you for taking me for so many hours as if it were a walk, for making everything so easy, for making me thrill once more.

We spent so many hours together, so many years together, I thought I knew you but I was wrong.

In this race you covered my mouth, you surprised us all, you ended up so well that you took the cutest prize, the one that gives me the most satisfaction, the Best Condition. I’m still dreaming of you, thank you, Queen! Thanks to all my team, they are fundamental for all this to be possible.

To continue training, working and luck to continue accompanying us, “said Basombrio.

At 7:30 am dropped the participants of CEI1* 80 km Seniors (20) and Young Riders (14).

Josefina Chas riding Embrujo Del Reparo finished the first stage in ninth place and with great desire to win was to get the first place. The set completed the 80 km at 03:38:24 and averaged 21.98 km / h. and in addition to being the win-

ner of the race her horse was awarded the Best Condition.

In second place Edgardo Luis Fiorda with Kuyen LF (03:38:42 and 21.95 km / h) and Martina Spelanzon who mounted Cal Fan Kar was in third place (03:45:15 and 21.31 km / h).

In the Young Riders category, Josefina Rolt riding MI Serrano dominated the race from the first stage and won easily with total ride time of 03:32:18 and average speed of 22.61 km / h.

Camila Sanchez with Galan AP kept second place (03:48:20 and 21.02 km / h) from the start and third place Hugo Emiliano Mendez with AR Clarito (03:52:29 and 20.65 km / h).

On Saturday, 21, at 6:30 am, the 17 competitors of the category Seniors of 120 km started and 15 minutes after the 7 participants of the Young Riders category; and at 7:30 the 14 participants of 100 kms Seniors.

Luis Pasini with LP Malvina dominated the race from the first stage and won with total ride time of 05:27:46 and averaging 21.97 km / h. Manuela Basombrio riding HSB Atrevida (05:31:45 and 21,70 km / h) and Micaela Superkova with Burak Otelo (05:31:49 and 21,70 km / h) finished in second and third places respectively.

The Best Condition award went to RAS Gin ridden by Agustin Vita that finished fourth (5:36:58 and 21.37 km / h).

Manuela Basombrio and HSB Tapioca

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Luis Pasini with LP Malvina

Maria del Pilar Zaninno with RO Nadia (06:17:27 and 19.08 km / h), the sisters Camila Sanchez with Bandolero XR (07:02:50 and 17,03 km / h) and Selena Sanchez with com Forajido XR (07: 02:54 and 17,03 km / h) were the only ones to complete among the Young Riders in first, second and third places respectively.

Juan Cruz Ferreira riding AP Galadriel dominated in the first three stages of the 100km race but Martina Spelanzon with Relincho Zulema was faster in the fourth stage and crossed first completing the course in 04:16:19 with an average of 23.41 km /H. Ferreira crossed in second and Josefina Chas with Mi Dulce in third.

In the afternoon, the locals took part in a small 20km race to encourage sports in the area. The debutants finished the competition successfully and very excited.

Monte Hermoso has everything to be one of the best circuits of the calendar because of the variety of terrain in the stages accompanied by beautiful landscapes. This race, which has been running continuously since 2013, is notable for the enormous collaboration of the municipality.

Carlos Larrere emphasized “that the municipal support with the water trucks, which for this race were fundamental due to the high temperatures 56

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and more than 30 personnel providing service for the race and organizing the transit for that purpose.”

Rubén Arismendi, Uruguayan FEI veterinarianI, stressed that although it was a very technical and demanding competition where competitors had to challenge the weather and the inclement weather, all the horses were in perfect condition and there was a good average of classifieds. “Argentina has a very good level of horses, with the passage of time it is noticeable the overcoming of horses and riders.” Arismendi said.

The day ended with an informal race “Doctors vs.

Veterinarians” who crossed 20km, with the sole purpose of having fun and encouraging camaraderie and friendship among the entire committee that works regularly in the races.

Saturday evening the award ceremony and a cocktail for participants, friends and family took place. The Argentine Equestrian Federation gave recognition for the 20 years of Argentine endurance to those who made it possible for this discipline to progress in the country:

Jorge Gabriel and Atilio Costa: Members of the first endurance commission;

Gabriela Costas, Carlos Larrere, Santiago Mariani, Rodolfo Sánchez and Bárbara Raffo: First Argentine team that represented the country in the World Endurance Championship in the United Arab Emirates, in 1998, obtaining 4th place by Teams; Vilma Tramonte, Graciela Montes de Oca, Carlos Larrere, Felipe Pita, Mercedes Tapia and Susana Lima: For the support of the Endurance throughout these 20 years; Felix Cardoso and José Luis Roldán: By supporting the Endurance as judges.

Congratulations to all the participants and for many more years of Endurance in Argentina!

Text: Debbie López (para Federación Ecuestre Argentina) and Cidinha Franzão Photos: Favio Lorenz Martina Spelanzon with Relincho Zulema

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Reid River R-Mani HARC Australian Horse of the Year

By Virginia Dodson

The imposing chestnut gelding Reid River R-Mani (The Accolade x Reid River First Impresshines) has been awarded 2017 HARC Australian Horse of the Year. This award is calculated on a points system for Arabian racehorses who meet the criteria of the Heritage Arabian Racing Club (HARC). This international club is the brainchild of HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, who felt the traditional Arabian horse was being overlooked on the world’s racetracks, thereby excluding many breeders and owners of these horses from the thrill of seeing their horses race and using racetrack performance as a valuable testing ground for stamina.

Australia, through NARA, is a founding member of HARC and Anthony Mountney is on the HARC committee. Thanks to the generosity of HH Sheikh Sultan, NARA have been able to offer a number of races with HARC prizemoney for accredited horses over the past years.

Eleven-year-old Reid River R-Mani started his 60 Arabian Horse Intl

public life as a weanling when he was shown by his breeder Melissa Reid at the Queensland State Championship AA Class Show. In a strong class of 20 he was awarded Champion gelding so he was off to a flying start! Melissa tells me that he had a ‘look at me’ attitude right from the beginning.

A rather sad loss of a filly due to a paddock accident led to a very generous offer by Melissa to Cate Howlett to take her pick of Reid River youngsters as a replacement and she chose the lively chestnut yearling. Melissa showed R-Mani for Cate until he was three and then he was sold to Angie Rudzki as a four-year-old. Angie broke him in and continued to show him.

Fast forward another four years when Cassie Saunders was told by a friend about a good looking chestnut gelding running in a paddock who was for sale. Cassie and her partner Al Barnes run Cassals Racing, training Arabians, Thoroughbreds and harness horses, so Cassie has a pret-

ty good idea of what a potential athlete should look like. She bought R-Mani because she liked his conformation and thought he had the makings of a good endurance mount and could possibly be a race prospect.

Cassie put R-Mani into work and they both went on to do a 20km social ride at Lake Manchester and a 41km training ride at Clifton. His dam, Reid River First Impresshines (Lea-Mar Park Bey Shine x Lea-Mar Park Janita), whose full sister Reid River Refectshine is an accomplished endurance veteran with over 2,600kms to her credit, evidently passes on her low heart rate as shown

by R-Mani’s vet results. His athletic talents were starting to emerge.

With a good fitness base established, Cassie put R-Mani into training for a 1400 metre race at Beaudesert on the 1/11/14. He acquitted himself well, coming third to the well-known stallionDjehlbi. She then aimed him for the Shadwell races to be held at the Gold Coast Turf Club on 6/12/14.

He gave a good account of himself to place sixth in a strong field of 11 horses in the Shadwell UAE Arabian Plate. Next was a long trip to Sandown in Victoria to race in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Championship (IFAHR).

Around this time Cassie decided to leave her boy in Victoria with Anthony Mountney so he could

continue training. As it turned out they both decided to take the gelding on the long trek back up to Queensland to run in the 1200 metre Wathba Stud Farm Cup at the Gold Coast Turf Club in September 2016. Despite the arduous trip, R-Mani scored his first win in a strong field.

This was to be the start of a winning streak as he saluted in his next three starts in HARC accredited races at SIEC in NSW and Merton in Victoria.

The remainder of 2017 saw R-Mani score three seconds and another first in the remaining HARC races for the year. On points he was awarded HARC Australian Horse of the Year. It is worth noting that as he was based in NSW, and the majority of races were in Victoria plus the trips up and down from Queensland, R-Mani has travelled many hundreds of kilometres to attend race meetings. A testament to his temperament and soundness.

This very attractive purebred Arabian gelding has certainly proved his versatility. He has done well in the show ring, had a go at endurance, ponied young Thoroughbreds at Cassals Racing Stables and proved to be a fierce competitor on the racetrack. He reportedly keeps himself very fit in the paddock. Best of all, he has converted many a Thoroughbred person to giving respect to the Arabian breed as he is a well-mannered friendly chap and a real character. He is much loved by the stable staff at Anthony’s ACM Training Stables, always ‘ in your pocket’ and very partial to licorice and Scotch finger biscuits.

Congratulations must go to Reid River R-Mani, his breeders Melissa and Keith Reid, his owner Cassie Saunders and trainer Anthony Mountney.

NARA and your extensive fan club salute you

Reid River R-Mani ridden by Maddy Wright

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Australasian Arabian Racing Club Inc.

Since its incorporation on the 11th February 2016, The Australasian Arabian Racing Club (AARC) has been the governing body for Arabian racing in Queensland (QLD), the second biggest state in Australia. The total land mass of Queensland is seven times the size of Great Britain and more than twice the size of Texas.

AARC Inc is a ‘not for profit’ club run by elected volunteers who are Arabian horse enthusiasts. The Club is responsible for registering, accrediting and insuring Arabian racehorses and licensees and for conducting races. AARC liaises with Racing Queensland (the state thoroughbred racing authority) and various Local Turf Clubs in order to conduct Arabian races on registered racetracks.

The Objects of AARC are: • to promote and facilitate the racing of registered Arabian and Arabian bred horses in Australia • to facilitate national and international competition between Arabian racehorses • to establish standards of acceptance for participation in Arabian horse racing • to foster and develop exchanges between Arabian horse racing associations in each state of Australia without discrimination • to publish or foster the publication of a database of racing information, race plans, racing results and statistics of Arabian horse racing utilising universal recording methods which

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will be made available to all the breeders Associations • to harmonise and coordinate racing conditions for national races • to create and enforce rules that shall control and secure total integrity in Arabian horse racing • to create and enforce rules that shall control and secure the safety and welfare of people and animals participating in Arabian horse racing • to improve the speed, stamina, soundness and temperament of the Arabian horse breed through racing • to be transparent in all its dealings, both internally with the members of the club and externally with all we deal with • Regular (Monthly) meetings where members, or the public, can join in the lively discussions we have and revue all our records AARC has created some spectacular Arabian racing in Queensland and our popularity has seen the number of scheduled races, and our race fields, expanding.

We have grown from 6 races in 2016/17 at metropolitan and regional race tracks to 10 races in 2018 and we expect the number of horses in each race to increase as well.

The hard working people within AARC have developed strong working relationships with the government racing bodies and all our races are held on race tracks registered by Racing Queensland (RQ) the State Government thoroughbred racing authority of Queensland, and use the full facilities of these clubs

including:

• On-course Ambulance shadowing the race in case of accidents • Barrier Starts • Barrier Attendants • Race Callers • Electronic Timing • Photo Finishes • On course veterinary services including swabbing • Professional Racing Queensland Jockeys as well as Owner Jockeys The Arabian races are generally held at the conclusion of the thoroughbred programme and the Arabian jockeys are either professional thoroughbred jockeys or accredited amateur owner riders. The AARC Rules of Racing mirror the Australian Thoroughbred Rules, apart from further restricting the use of the whip and permitting Arabian horses to race unshod.

We have successfully raced at the Gold Coast Turf Club, Cairns Jockey Club, Beaudesert Turf Club, Gatton Race Club, Gympie Turf Club and Warwick Turf Club. Included in these events we saw three Wathba Stallions Cup races, 2 on the Gold Coast and 1 at Warwick. We are now in the process of adding yet another club to our calendar namely Nanango Turf Club. The 2018 calendar is looking very exciting for many trainers and members of AARC. In Far North Queensland, 2,000km from Brisbane, we are planning a 2-3 race series with $10,000 in prize money. AARC has two major prize money sponsors Wathba Stallions Cup and JLT Insurance brokers.

AARC endeavours to support and encourage any Arabian horse owners who are interested in flat racing by conducting seminars and providing personal mentoring. Attendance at the monthly Club meetings is encouraged and ideas and feedback are always welcome. The AARC website (www.arabianracing.com.au) is kept up to date with events and results and videos of all races.

In addition to our expanding race program we have become a member of the Australian Sports Foundation, which provides our client sponsors and contributors a full tax deduction of any funds they provide – a first in Arabian racing in Australia, and yet another AARC creative initiative to help develop Arabian racing in Australia.

Australasian Arabian Racing Club Inc. 773 Kholo Road, Kholo Queensland Australia Website::https://www.arabianracing.com.au AA

AARC Racing Calendar JLT Insurance - Open - 1250mts - Prize Money $4,500 August 03, 2018 Cairns Turf Club 1st $2,250, 2nd $1,125, 3rd $562.50, 4th $320, 5th $242.50 Open to all purebred Arabian horses

PMC Cairns and Townsville - Open - 1450m - Prize Money $4,500 August 10, 2018 Cairns Turf Club 1st $2,250, 2nd $1,125, 3rd $562.50, 4th $320, 5th $242.50 Open to all purebred Arabian horses

Dalby & Northern Downs Jockey Club all TBA August 31, 2018 Dalby Full details to follow

Wathba Stallions Cup - Class 5 Race 1350m - $5,000 Prize Money September 14, 2018 Warwick Turf Club 1st $2,500, 2nd $1,250, 3rd $625, 4th $375, 5th $250 Open to all purebred Arabian horses

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Jill Colwell and Natalis Photo: Ross Stevenson

Jewel & Jill – Pre race GCTC 2014, photo by Kimi Windsong

Jill Colwell, Arabian racehorse trainer based in South East Queensland

Jill has been training Arabians and riding them in races for four years. Her three Aloha mares have won ten races between them. She says “It is an amazing feeling to win a race on the horse that you own and train. Especially when you are 65 yo and work full time as a medical doctor (GP).”

per week, she takes the horses to a small private racetrack (Benwerrin Lodge near Beaudesert).

They mainly do interval work on this 1200 m circumference track as Jill likes to look after their legs and slow them around the tight turns. Jill does not use Walkers nor Treadmills.

Her racehorses enjoy a herd life in 5 acre paddocks, with frequent visitations into her house yard to mow the lawns. They have never been shod and Jill performs her own hoof trimming.

The Aloha mares she owns have won on many different surfaces – e.g heavy mud, fast grass and hard and stoney ground. Their diet is mainly grass, with abundant grassy/lucerne hay in the dry seasons. They receive a few nutritional supplements (minerals and vitamin E) disguised in a small amount of copra meal.

Jill grew up with thoroughbred racehorses – her father was a bush trainer and she became a track work rider and a licenced thoroughbredjockey.

In the 1970’s Jill was fortunate to work in two very successful racing stables at Randwick in Sydney with TJ (Tommy) Smith and Theo Green.

“Theo was an amazing teacher and he taught me so much about horse racing, training and life in general.” says Jill. She also rode track work briefly in New Zealand and Newmarket England and loved their concept of working the horses in long straight gallops up rises.

Training is mainly around her back paddock where she has mowed grass tracks that are quite good underfoot. For faster work, about once 64

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Source: Australasian Arabian Racing Club Inc AARC Inc

Fiona and Scott with Duo Park Yo Yo. Photo: Rita Gallaway

Fiona & Scott Green, Arabian racehorse trainers based in Far North Queensland Fiona and Scott both discovered the Arabian horse as young kids, and have admired them ever since.

They started breeding Arabian horses in 2000.

Their foundation mares incorporated the proven endurance bloodlines of Abiram, Banderol, Crystal Fire, Hestia, Spindrift and Sala, just to name a few.

Arabian racing has been the stud’s commitment since 2013 and our training is constantly being fined tuned. They have trained 7 horses over 5 years, for 40 starts for 11:10:10. With their greatest win by Justice For All MI at the Dubai International Arabian Races, UAE Arabian Plate at Morphettville March 2016.

They say “We will never forget the 16 years in the saddle as endurance riders that established a great foundation of knowledge of the Arabian horse and their capabilities. We share over 10,000 kms of competitive endurance rides between

us and understand what it means to prepare a horse for demanding long distance endurance rides, and although our training program has changed significantly with racing, we both agree the Arabian horse still needs a mixture of track work and trail riding each week to break up the monotony.”

They believe Australian Arabian Horse Racing is progressing into a viable industry that is gaining both volume and respect. In Tropical North Queensland, they already have several races that are held within thoroughbred meetings, with a popular event being the Cairns Cup carnival held at Cairns Jockey Club.

Their horses in their stable include Justice For All MI, Coolinda Park Winston, Duo Park Yo Yo, Duo Park Oran, Zara Farm Warrior Prince and new comer Iconic MI.

Source: Australasian Arabian Racing Club Inc AARC Inc Arabian Horse Intl

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HH Sheikh Hamdan’s Ajaayib wins Zayed Cup in Seville

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It was a memorable day for the UAE in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival events at the Gran Hippodrome De L’Andalucia race course in Seville in Spain on Saturday, May 5, 2018.

“This is my first race on an Arabian horse and am so thrilled I won. I am looking forward to the final in Abu Dhabi. Many of my jockey colleagues have been there, so I will pick their brains and prepare for the prestigious race,” said de Ceulaer.

Ajaayib, owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler and Minister of Finance, was ridden to a superb win by Mickael Forest in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, Seville’s first-ever Listed race.

The loudest cheers were reserved for the pony riders as the Festival unveiled the opening leg of its newest series – the HH Sheikha Lateefa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Pony International race series.

In Seville, Ajaayib, the Francois Rohaut-trained daughter of Mahabb, stayed with the leading pack for most of the race and once on the home stretch, forged ahead to post a convincing win.

Ajaayib finished ahead of Al Shamoos under Julien Grosjean from Al Nujafi Racingand Al Nama under Richard Mullen from Al Shaqab Racing in the Euros 35,000 race run over 1500 metres.

Eleven-year-old Alberto Peres-Luna on Rayo showed a lot of class and promise winning this first of the ten races to be staged around the world. Diego Dorantes on Caramelo and Diego Ruiz on Latigo finished second and third respectively.

Earlier in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship leg over 1900 metres; there was more success for the region when Omani raider Al Mah’youb carried Belgian Sanne de Ceulaer to a comfortable win.

Al May’youb under Belgian Sanne de Ceulaer finished ahead of Al Neksh under Hunagrian Huszar Korinna while in third place was Haramil under Turkey’s Mahson Turan.

“I thank my father for encouraging me into the sport and I hope I win for Spain in the final in Abu Dhabi,” Alberto said.

The UAE Ambassador to Spain HE Dr. Hessa Al Oteiba, HE Sulaiman Hamid Al Mazroui - UAE Ambassador to UK, HE Yousif Al-Sabri UAE Ambassador to Poland, HE Mohammed Al Suwaidi- UAE Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, Edward Hamod, Director of National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co.

Sanne de Ceulaer on Al May’youb

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LLC, Dr. Abdulla Al Raisi, Director of National Archives, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi-Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) along with others attended and gave away the trophies at the Gran Hippodrome De L’Andalucia race course in Seville.

On the sidelines of the Seville race meeting, the Abu Dhabi Youth Council, the Abu Dhabi Police Youth Council members along with the other young participants at the Forum and the Apprentice jockeys attended a Youth Circle meeting organized by the Festival. Various experts in racing spoke to the youth on issues related to the racing sport.

Alberto Peres-Luna on Rayo

Source: HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan Photos: Cidinha Franzão and Morhaf Al Assaf

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Aoun wins Sheikh Zayed Cup in Morocco

Aoun, a Mahabb colt owned by Yas Horse Racing Management, won the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Listed) race which was one of the four races organized by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival at the Marrakesh race course in Morocco on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

Ridden by Roberto-Carlos Montenegro, the Antoine De Watrigant – trained Aoun finished ahead of Metrag under Jerome Cabre while in third place was Dalsimata Cole ridden by Khalid Abba.

The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (Listed) race was the feature event and carried a prize fund of Euros 35,000 and was contested over 1900 metres.

French lady rider Marie Lemartinel and Omani Apprentice Abdul Aziz Al Balushi won their respective races earlier in the day to qualify for the finals to be held in Abu Dhabi in November.

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Lemartinel, riding Asraa Oum Rabie, won the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship race. The 1900-metre race with a prize fund of Euros 30,000 saw ten lady jockeys from around the world compete for a place in the grand final in Abu Dhabi.

Germany’s Eva Herresthal on Kouhayl Bouskoura and Croatia’s Sara Giavarini on Rahmamiate l’Atlas finished second and third respectively.

In the 1600-metre HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship race which carried a prize fund of Euros 20,000, it was Oman’s Abdul Aziz Al Balushi who topped on Dalile Maamora. Belgium’s Felice Jacobs on Nachwan Ras Al Maa finished second followed

by Spanish Apprentice Ignacio Melgarego on Charmsper.

The fourth race supported by the Festival was the Wathba Stallions Cup and Rachid Amenai on Fawzi Al Mels won this Euros 5000 race.

Hamoodah Hadouch under Jaouad Kayate and Ourz Fal under Khalid Ibba finished second and third respectively.

HE Ali Salem Al Kaabi the UAE Ambassador to Morocco, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and Musallam Al Ameri, Director of Yas Horse Racing Management attended the prize distribution ceremony.

Source: HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan

Marie Lemartinel on Asraa Oum Rabie

Abdul Aziz Al Balushi on Dalile Maamora

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Rawdah scoops Prix Kriss II Wathba Stallions Cup

Mont-de-Marsan, France - Favourite Rawdah scored an impressive win in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Prix Kriss II Wathba Stallions Cup held at the Mont-de-Marsan racecourse in France on April 11, 2018.

Running in the colours of the Royal Oman Cavalry, Rawdah under Sebastien Prugnaud finished about half a length ahead of Al Naama ridden

by Julien Auge. Sakim ran into third place in the Euros 16,000 race held under the patronage of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival.

The winner took 1:38.50 to cover the 1400-metre distance in a race that attracted ten runners The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carrier, in cooper72 Arabian Horse Intl

ation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFHRA, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi Youth Council, General Authority for Sports and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Nissan Middleast Al Massood Automobiles, Nirvana Travels and Tourism LLC, Equicare Veterinary Services, Alawal Stud, Cavalos Equine Care & Supplies, SET Sustainable Environmental Technologies, Al Awani General Enterprises, Omeir Travels, Kabale, YAS Channel, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohammed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, , Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2018, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

Source: HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan

UAE President’s Outstanding Sporting Achievement award for HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival received the UAE President’s award for ‘Outstanding Sporting Achievement in 2017’ at the annual awards ceremony held at the Emirates Palace Hotel on Sunday, April 22, 2018.

di, Minister of Education; Dr. Sultan Bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and CEO of ADNOC Group, Major General Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Commander in Chief of Abu Dhabi Police and Chairman, General Authority for Sports and a number of senior officials.

HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs gave away the award to Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), who received it on behalf of the Festival.

During the ceremony, HH Sh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister for Tolerance, was honoured as the “Sports Figure for 2017,” along with 541 athletes representing 28 sports federations.

The awards are part of an initiative by UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to honour the UAE’s sporting achievements every year.

Also present were HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister for Tolerance; Ahmed Juma Al Za’abi, Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs; Hussain Bin Ibrahim Al Hamma-

Elated after receiving the award, Ms. Sawaya said, “This is another great success for the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival. This recognition will spur us on to achieve more and follow the instructions of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Mother of the UAE.” “The Festival owes its success to HH Sheikh Mansoor and HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak,” she added.

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Quick Sand AA leads 1-2-3 for trainer Torrez

Source: HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan Photos: Morhaf Al Assaf and Cidinha FranzĂŁo

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A thrilling photo-finish in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley International Awards Stakes $100,000 Grade 1 race which resulted in a 1-2-3 for trainer Jerenesto Torrez capped what was one of the most exciting race meetings on Saturday, April 7 here at the Santa Anita Park racecourse in Arcadia, California.

It seemed fitting that a Grade 1 Stakes race for Purebred Arabian horses named after Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the Emirates, President of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood end in a brilliant win for American lady jockey Sasha Risenhoover.

Risenhoover scored her first Grade 1 win on an Arabian horse when Quick Sand AA headed a 1-2-3 finish for trainer Torrez on a superb day of racing action at Santa Anita.

It was Easter Man under Carol Cedeno which started as the one to beat in the 12-horse race which was being held under the umbrella of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival after Friday night’s Darley Awards.

Torrez, who won the US Darley Award on Friday for Best Trainer in 2017, proved his class when Quick Sand AA under Risenhoover, Easter Man under Carol Cedeno and RB Nash under Keiber Coa-yet another Darley winner on Friday after being voted Best Jockey- all finishing with hardly much to separate them.

Mike Smith and Justify

The photo gave the verdict in favour of Quick Sand AA and it was also the 27-year-old Oklahoma-based Risenhoover’s biggest win and her third since starting to ride Purebred Arabians.

Earlier in the meeting, the 81st running of the Grade I, US$ One million Santa Anita Derby and the other races proved a huge success on every level, as an on-track crowd of 39,023 (an eight percent increase over last year’s 36,155) turned out for world class performances.

“It is a great feeling to win a Grade 1 race and Quick Sand AA settled in well and once we found a gap he put his heart into the race and we managed to strike. It went just the way I thought it would. He did the work and it really worked out well. The hole opened up and he just went.

I asked him for his life and he just gave it to me.

He did really well,” said Risenhoover.

Trainer Torrez said all three of his horses had huge potential and the winner Quick Sand AA and second-placed Easter Man were both owned

by Joseph A and Betty J Gillis.

“It feels great – that’s why I have this big smile on my face. I have some great horses and some great riders. I have some good people, which is what it takes to have success. The race set up perfectly for us,” said Torrez

Three-time Dubai World Cup winning trainer Bob Baffert won his record eighth Santa Anita Derby with 4-5 favorite Justify, who won by three lengths over Bolt d’Oro. Ridden by Mike Smith, Justify, a striking chestnut colt by Scat Daddy, is now undefeated in three starts and looms as the probable favorite in the Grade I Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 5.

Equally as impressive was the Bill Spawr-conditioned Midnight Bisou, who rallied into the teeth Arabian Horse Intl

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of a slow pace to win the Santa Anita Oaks by 3 ½ lengths. With Smith aboard for a Grade I double, this daughter of Midnight Lute, who is a pair of noses away from being undefeated in five career starts, could be favored in the Grade I Kentucky Oaks, to be run on Friday, May 4.

prentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), American Racing Cup Stewards Michelle Morgan, Denise Gault and Sam Vasquez among others attended the prize distribution ceremony after the HH Sheikha Fatima race.

HE Abdulla Al Subose- UAE Consul General in California, HE Mohammed Al Suwaidi -UAE Ambassador to the Oman, Edward Hamod, Director of National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC, Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director of Global Promotions- Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Ahmed Al Qubeisi of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Nadim Lahad of Emirates Airline, Khalid Al Hussein- GAYSC representative, Mohammed Abdulla of Al Massood Automobiles, Dr Stephano Daneri of Equicare Veterinary Services, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Ap-

“Just to have our Festival’s race alongside some of America’s top thoroughbred events is a huge moment for us and that has been complemented by a fantastic finish. It has been a milestone race in the Year of Zayed and as we mark our Festival’s 10th anniversary,” said Ms. Sawaya.

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“As part of the Festival’s promotion we also had competitions for ladies in the ‘Best Overall Fashion’ and ‘Best Overall Hat/Fascinator.’ A good number of ladies took part and the winners received gift items and also air-tickets and accommodation for trips to Spain during next month’s World Arabian Horse Racing Conference and also to Abu Dhabi for the November finale of the Festival,” she said.

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Zells Zenyatta wins Wathba Stallions Cup in Brazil Zells Zenyatta stayed true to the favorite’s tag in winning the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival’s Grande Prêmio Wathba Stallions (Group 3) in the Year of Zayed race in Cidade Jardim Hippodrome, Sao Paulo, Brazil, on May 6.

Once again, the Arabian Horse was present at the São Paulo Grand Prix Festival. Our thanks to the board of the Jockey Club of São Paulo for this invitation.

The imported Zells Zenyatta, trained by AGS Correa and owned by Rodrigo Schulze, was given a perfect ride by jockey J Rogerio, as the pre-race favourite stepped up the pace in the final stretch to register a smart win. Marei Rach under V. Souza and Heron HVP under M. Ribiero finished second and third respectively.

“I’m happy because Zells Zanyatta broke the distance record. She is a fantastic mare who has won five races from six and we are looking forward to the next challenges,” said Schulze.

Almir José Ribeiro, vice-president of ABCCA and HARC Board of Directors, said, “We thank the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival for their support in organizing this race for Purebred Arabian horses here in Brazil. We also thank the Jockey Club of Sao Paulo for inviting us to stage this race on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix Festival race meeting.”

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates Airline as the official carrier, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFHRA, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi Youth Council, General Authority for Sports and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Nissan Middleast Al Massood Automobiles, Nirvana Travels and Tourism LLC, Equicare Veterinary Services, Alawal Stud, Cavalos Equine Care & Supplies, SET Sustainable Environmental Technologies, Al Awani General Enterprises, Omeir Travels, Kabale, YAS Channel, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohammed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2018, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

To see the race: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=CLESZzfBBwY Source: HH SH Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan and Cidinha Franzão Photos: Porfírio Menezes Arabian Horse Intl

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Cantiga VE wins RG Kalif Award

Arabs start season in Cidade Jardim and Cantiga VE leads from end to end The 2018 Arabian Horse Racing season began on February 18 at the Cidade Jardim Hippodrome, Jockey Club of São Paulo with the RG Kalif Award. The race of 1,300 meters in turf was attended by nine animals with at least 3 years and up to a win ..

Cantiga VE with excellent driving J. Rogério battled since the start for her second victory setting the new record for females in that distance with the time of 1: 28: 916. Before the grand entrance curve to the finish line, she opened three bodies advantage to cross with ease.

a mare that competed in Barrel competitions and won the Championship of Foal of the Future of the modality. Trained by the greatest Barrel champion, Manoel Leandro Filho, known as Baghdad, she was sold to Márcia Regina Ribeiro, wife of Almir Ribeiro, vice president of Racing and Endurance of ABCCA and organizer of the Arabian Races in Brazil, and won in her first flat race in 2016. A mare that promises great victories.

The RG Kalif Award was organized and sponsored by the Brazilian Association of Arabian Horse Breeders and Jockey Club de São Paulo.

Breeding by José Silvestre Viana Egreja, Cantiga VE (Feitizzo Rach X Unic Appeal JP by Borsalino K) and owned by Márcia Regina Ribeiro is trained

by AGS Correia.

In the final 400 meters, while Lina Rach, mounted by U. Silva, fought on the outside for second place with Horus HVP under the command of L. Henriques, Cantiga VE maintains two bodies ahead and crosses the final disc first .

Cantiga VE has an interesting history: she was 80

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Text: Cidinha Franzão Photos: Porfírio Menezes

Velozter wins in grand style

On April 8, 2018, the São Paulo Jockey Club once again hosted the Arabian Horses for the 2018 Haras Lone Star Award. This match honored one of the main donors of the Cânter Arabian Auction, Haras Lone Star, with the presence of its owner, Paulo de Castro Marques.

In his second race after his return to the Cidade Jardim Hippodrome, Velozter, ridden by E. Pereira dominates sensationally and opens incredible seven bodies on second place; Kazan RB led by Weslley Gomes, and conquers his first victory on the 1,300-meter turf track. Velozter (Zapal X Agatha Bint Borneo by Borneo) is trained by G.J Santos, bred by Paulo Bilyk in the uniform of André Lahoz Mendonça de Barros.

no involvement with the breed, have actively participated and committed to return in the coming years.

Expectations were reached and surpassed, both in number of animals and in their quality. The event team is already in contact with the owner of Haras Lone Star, Paulo Marques, to hold the next race next year in Cidade Jardim.

Haras Lone Star Award was organized and sponsored by the Brazilian Association of Arabian Horse Breeders and Jockey Club de São Paulo.

“Eight Purebred Arabian horses took part in a highly contested race that had as the great winner Velozter, owned by Andre Lahoz Mendonça de Barros. Five horses were awarded during the event, each one coming from a different breeding, evidencing the balance and the union of the Arab Horse in the races “, says Almir Ribeiro, Race Director of the ABCCA. The public participating in the auction has been increasingly interested in the Arabian Horse and its history. Both breeders and visitors, who have

Text: Cidinha Franzão Photos: Porfírio Menezes Arabian Horse Intl

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Zells Zenyatta champion of the GP Arab Chamber The mare Zells Zenyatta was the champion of the Grand Prix Arab Chamber, 1,400 meters in turf and with a prize of R $ 20,000.00, which celebrated Arab Community Day on Sunday, March 25 at the Hipódromo de Cidade Jardim.

This is a fair tribute to the men and women of Arab origin, Muslims and Christians, who began to land in Brazil in the late nineteenth century in search of work and the dream of wealth.

Members of the board of the Arab Brazilian Chamber have met to see the match, which began to be promoted in 2014 and is already traditional on the date. Zells Zenyatta (S W Zell X Cowboys Gal by Wiking), who won with three bodies of second-placed lead, belongs to Almir Ribeiro and Rodrigo Schulze. She was ridden by José Rogério and is trained by Alexandre Correa.

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In second place was her half-sister Zells Kate (SW Zell X Zell Lady In Red by Zachzell) mounted

by Jeane Alves, also owned by Almir Ribeiro, and third Passion Rach (Vaillant Rach X Pol’s Passion Rach by Polonez), scored by Paulo Jamil Saliba. They also ran Cantiga VE, Heron HVP, Marei Rach, Rhondo Rach and Orthodox Rach.

“Brazil has a large Arabian horses breeding, the squad is very good in quality and selection,” said Marcelo Sallum, former president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber, who was at the helm of the organization when started to promote the award.

Sallum says that the idea belongs to Jamil Saliba, who wanted to show the quality of the Arabian horses in Brazil. Jamil, who died three years ago, was also president of the Chamber and was a horse breeder. The current president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Rubens Hannun, also remind-

ed that the match is already a tradition in the Arab Community Day. “It is a point of integration of the Brazilians with the Arabs,” he said.

ABCCA Racing and Endurance Vice President Almir Ribeiro highlighted the cultural aspect of the race for commemorating the Arab Community Day and the history of this breed of horse.

“All the horses you can imagine, from Mangalarga, English thoroughbred and others, have the participation of the Arabian horse in its formation. The Arabian horse is the father of all races, because it originated in the Arabian Peninsula, “said Ribeiro.

The date of March 25 was chosen to celebrate

the Arab Community National Day because it was the anniversary of the first Arab immigration to Brazil at a time when the Ottoman Empire was politically unstable.

Another peculiar reason that drove this choice was that Arab immigrants settled in São Paulo, with commercial establishments at Street March 25 and other surroundings.

For the fourth time, the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce sponsors an Arabian Horse Grand Prix, celebrating the anniversary of Arab Immigration to Brazil, with the support of the Brazilian Association of Arabian Horse Breeders (ABCCA) and the Jockey Club of São Paulo.

Text and photos: Cidinha Franzão

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Roberto Perez and Tallaab Al Khalediah (SA)

First Saudi Arabian Victory in the Dubai Kahayla Classic Credit: Dubai Racing Club / Andrew Watkins

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The stunning grey Tallaab Al Khalediah extended his unbeaten record to five with an impressive performance in the US $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic sponsored by Mubadala at the DWC at Meydan on March 31st 2018, which allowed him to become the first Saudi Arabian trained horse to add his name to this very important race in the Purebred Arabian racing calendar.

Ridden by Roberto Perez, he jumped well and immediately went to the front with Af Al Sajanjle, who briefly took the lead. When they came into the final straight of the 2000m event, the 7-year-old did not need much encouragement to take the lead and even though Chaddad made a great effort in the final yards, Tallaab Al Khalediah’s victory was never in doubt. He passed the winning post with his jubilant jockey, who is from Panama, with a length and a half to spare from Chaddad, while Barnamaj finished third.

Tallaab Al Khalediah is trained by Mutlaq bin Mashref for HRHP Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz and made headlines in Saudi Arabia when he nearly lost his bridle on his last start. Perez, who was celebrating his first Group 1 PA victory, explained: “Yes, the bridle came off in his last race, but I managed to get it back on and they changed a few things today to stop it happening again.”

“I feel so excited. It is the second biggest win for this horse and I have ridden him both times. When I put him into the front I knew I had to save a little bit as he has been winning over 1800m and had 200m more to go today, but he stayed it well. The race went very well and he did nothing wrong. I know him well now. The bridle did come off in his last race, but I managed to get it back on and they changed a few things today to stop it happening again.”

For his first start over the 2000m distance, Tallaab Al Khalediah, a son of Jalood Al Khalidiah and Siehame, completed the race in 2:13.68, setting a new track record. The order of finish was completed

by Chaddad, Barnamaj, Mawahib, Al Zahir, Ziyadd, Nafees, Bandar, AF Al Sajanjle, Darius du Paon, Paddy’s Day, Cheik Roque, Sniper de Monlau, AF Marrah and Cakouet de Bozouls.

Prince Fahad bin Khalid bin Sultan accepts the trophy from Mr. Hommaid Al Shimmari, Deputy Group CEO and Chief Human Capital and Corporate Services.

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La La Land receives HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival

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This annual event crowns the Arabian Horse

With decades of contribution to Arabian horse racing under her belt, Val Bunting of France was greeted with loud cheers as she was awarded the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Life-time Achievement Award while at the other end of the spectrum, 16-year-old Uruguayan Endurance rider received the Best Endurance Rider award.

It were awards time and the red carpet was rolled out for the Purebred Arabian horse racing fraternity at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on Friday, April 6, 2018 as the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and the Arabian Racing Cup present the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Awards and the US Darley Awards.

HE Abdulla Al Subose (UAE Consul General in California), HE Mohammed Al Suwaidi (UAE Ambassador to the Oman), Edward Hamod (Director of National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC), Mubarak Al Nuaimi (Director of Global Promotions - Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority), Ahmed Al Qubeisi of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Nadim Lahad of Emirates Airline, Khalid Al Hussein (GAYSC representative), Mohammed Abdulla of Al Massood Automobiles, Dr Stephano Daneri of Equicare Veterinary Services, HE Lulwa Awadhi, Dr. Wadoda Badran, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), American Racing Cup Stewards led by Michelle Morgan, Dr Simon Ourian a leading Cosmetologist, Festival’s Jockeys Ambassador Xavier Ziani, Keith Brackpool of Santa Anita Park racecourse, Ed Murphy (MD of Dolby Theatre) and Chris Gleeson of Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel were among those who attended the ceremony and also gave away the Awards.

Racing Champions of the USA and features the world presentation of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies International Awards live from the Dolby Theatre, in Hollywood, California.

This year’s awards ceremony and the allied events were significant as the UAE marks the 100 birth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and also the 10th year of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival.

While the outstanding performers in US Arabian horse racing in 2017 were feted with the US Darley Awards, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies International Awards recognizes international women achievers in Arabian Horse Racing all over the world.

Owner-trainer Scott Powell and breeder-owner couple of Betty J and Joseph A Gillis dominated the night of awards as the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival celebrated Purebred Arabian horse racing at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on Friday, April 6, 2018.

Powell’s Paddys Day once again hogged the limelight in the US Darley Awards after being voted Best Older Horse and yet another Horse of the Year Award at the dazzling event organized by the Arabian Racing Cup and supported by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival.

Scott Powell collected another double when Ivory Shores was named Best Older Mare in both the US Darley as well as the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Ladies International awards.

Despite being absent, breeder-owner couple of Betty J and Joseph A Gillis was named Best Breeder and Best Owner in the US Darley Awards and also were voted Best Breeder in the HH Sheikha Fatima Awards.

The classy ceremony opened with HE Al Subose highlighting the role played by the Festival and by the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in building the UAE as well as promoting Arabian horses. Almost all speakers after that commended the role played by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the Emirates, President of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood in the success of the Festival.

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Paddys Day: Best Older Horse and Horse of the Year presented the 25th Annual ARC Darley Stallion Auction featuring select international sires at the Gala Dinner. The HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival’s announcer Derek Thompson served again as the entertaining auctioneer and the sale was accompanied by dinner and entertainment in the lavish setting of the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel.

“This is a huge year for us and this event is being held as we mark the ‘100 years of Zayed’ and also the 10th anniversary of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival. It will be an exciting three days of action and all this has been possible only due to the support of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the Emirates, President of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood,” said Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International 88

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Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR).

“Expert panels have nominated some of the best horses and officials from around the globe and a glittering show is in place for the Awards night,” Ms. Sawaya said.

Ms. Lara Sawaya announced three special awards to Painter/Artiste Christine Schubel from Germany, Dr. Simon Ourian and Keith Brackpool.

Commenting on the events, Michelle Morgan, Chief Steward of ARC said: “This is the eighth year for Arabian Racing Cup and the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Festival and HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Awards to join together for the Darley Awards.

This is a special year for them because it is 100 Years of Sheikh Zayed. We will be celebrating at the Dolby theatre and rewarding the winners on Friday night. With this union we are proud to say the Arabian Racing Cup and the Arabian horses are gaining recognition in the US. We are looking forward to this week of Awards, Racing and Friendship.”

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture

Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carrier, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFHRA, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi Youth Council, General Authority for Sports and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Nissan Middleast Al Massood Automobiles, Nirvana Travels and Tourism LLC, Equicare Veterinary Services, Alawal Stud, Cavalos Equine Care & Supplies, SET Sustainable Environmental Technologies, Al Awani General Enterprises, Omeir Travels, Kabale, YAS Channel, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohammed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2018, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Ladies International Awards 2018 Best Breeder: Betty J. Gillis (USA) Best Owner: Ms. Aisha Bint Yousuf Al Balushi (Oman) Best Trainer: Mrs. Beverly Deutrom (Great Britain) Best Professional Jockey: Natalia Hendzel (Poland) Best Amateur Jockey: Alice Bertiaux (Belgium) Best Apprentice Jockey: Alexandra Bihari (Hungary) Best 3-year-old Filly: Bint Grine (Morocco) Best 3-4 year-old Filly: Muneera (France) Best Older Mare: Ivory Shores (USA) Best Journalist: Evie Tubbs Sweeney (USA) Best TV Presenter: Amanda Roxborough (USA) Best Photographer: Hedwig Allmuth (Algeria) Best Endurance Rider: Pilar Saravia (Uruguay) Life-time Achievement: Mrs. Val Bunting (France)

Best Breeder Betty J. Gillis (USA) Received by Terri Eaton

The winner’s list of 2018 Darley Awards for performances in the year 2017 Best 3-year-old Colt/Gelding: RB Hot Gate Best 3-year-old Filly: Uptown Sandy Girl Best 4-year-old Colt/Gelding: RB Nash Best 4-year-old Filly: Sweet Honey AA Best Older Mare: Ivory Shores Best Older Horse: Paddys Day Best Breeder: Joseph & Betty J Gillis Best Owner: Joseph & Betty J Gillis Best Trainer: Jernesto Torrez Best Jockey: Keiber Coa Special New Breeder Award: Hendrix and Lettie Smelding Special New Owner Award: Lynn Bennett Horse of the Year: Paddys Day Source: HH Sh Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan and Cidinha Franzão Photos: Cidinha Franzão and Morhaf Al Assaf

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Best Owner Ms. Aisha Bint Yousuf Al Balushi (Oman)

Best Amateur Jockey Alice Bertiaux (Belgium

Best Apprentice jockey Alexandra Bihari (Hungary)

Best Trainer Mrs. Beverly Deutrom (Great Britain)

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Best Journalist Evie Tubbs Sweeney (USA)

Life-time Achievement Award Mrs. Val Bunting (France)

Best TV Presenter Amanda Roxborough(USA)

Best Endurance Rider Pilar Saravia (U

ruguay)

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Brussels, The Capital of Europe The City of Brussels is the largest municipality and historical centre of the Brussels-Capital Region, and the de jure capital of Belgium. Besides the strict centre, it also covers the immediate northern outskirts where it borders municipalities in Flanders. It is the administrative centre of the European Union, thus often dubbed, along with the region, the EU’s capital city.

The City of Brussels is a municipality consisting of the central historic town and certain additional areas within the greater Brussels-Capital Region, namely Haren, Laeken and Neder-Over-Heembeek to the north, and Avenue Louise/Louizalaan and the Bois de la Cambre/Ter Kamerenbos park to the south.

On 1 January 2017, the City of Brussels had a total population of 176,545. The total area is 32.61 km2 (12.59 sq mi) which gives a population density of 5,475 inhabitants per square kilometre (14,180/sq mi). As of 2007, there were approximately 50,000 registered non-Belgians in the City of Brussels. In common with all the Brussels municipalities, it is legally bilingual (French– Dutch).

At first, the City of Brussels was simply defined, being the area within the second walls of Brussels, the modern-day small ring. As the city grew, the surrounding villages grew as well, eventually growing into a contiguous city, though the local governments retained control of their respective areas.

The construction of Avenue Louise/Louizalaan was commissioned in 1847 as a monumental avenue bordered by chestnut trees that would allow easy access to the popular recreational area of the Bois de la Cambre/Ter Kamerenbos. However, fierce resistance to the project was put up by the town of Ixelles (which was then still separate from Brussels) through whose land the avenue was supposed to run. After years of fruitless negotiations, Brussels finally annexed the narrow band of land needed for the avenue plus the Bois de la Cambre itself in 1864. That decision accounts for the unusual southeastern protru-

sion of the City of Brussels and for Ixelles being split in two separate parts. Part of the Université libre de Bruxelles’ Solbosch campus is also part of the City of Brussels, partially accounting for the bulge in the southeast end.

Unlike most of the municipalities in Belgium, the ones located in the Brussels-Capital Region were not merged with others during mergers occurring in 1964, 1970, and 1975. However, a few neighbouring municipalities have been merged into the City of Brussels, including Haren, Laeken and Neder-Over-Heembeek in 1921. These comprise the northern bulge in the municipality. To the south-east is also a strip of land along Avenue Louise that was annexed from the Ixelles municipality.

The Central District - It is in the heart of the Saint-Géry Island, formed by the Senne and on which a first dungeon was built around 979, that the origin of the city is located. Today, the neighbourhood around the Halles Saint-Géry, a former covered market, is one of the trendy districts of the capital. In the centre of the city, there are some vestiges of the 13th century first walls of Brussels, which surrounded the first port on the Senne, the Romanesque church, later replaced by the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, and the ducal castle of Coudenberg (Royal Quarter). In the centre of this triangle, are the Grand Place, the Îlot Sacré district (which takes its name from its resistance to demolition projects), itself crossed by the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, the Saint-Jacques district which welcomed the pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela and the Brussels Stock Exchange, built on the site of a former convent, whose remains have been uncovered.

The connection between Brazil and Belgium is that Brasília and Brussels are sister cities

Bois de la Cambre The Bois de la Cambre (French) or Ter Kamerenbos (Dutch) is an urban public park on the edge of the Sonian Forest in Brussels, Belgium. It has Arabian Horse Intl

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Square du Bois - Avenue Louise à Bruxelles. Credits: GdML an area of 1.23 square kilometres. The park lies in the south of the Brussels-Capital Region, and in the municipality of the City of Brussels. It is linked to the rest of the municipality by Avenue Louise, which was built at the same time the park was laid out, in 1861.

It comprises a small lake with an island in the centre, called Robinson’s island.

The park was laid out in 1861 by Édouard Keilig, a German architect. The place quickly became a popular recreational area for the people of Brussels, like the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. In addition to its many promenades, it hosted a dairy, a velodrome, a theatre, an artificial lake, as well as a racecourse. Queen Marie-Henriette, wife of King Leopold II, often went riding in the park.

The horsemans’ battle bronze group at the entrance is the work of Belgian sculptor Jacques de Lalaing.

On June 17, 1815, on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo, English soldiers played a cricket match 96

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on a ground located in the area currently covered by the Park. Ever since is this area called la Pelouse des Anglais (The Englishmen’s Lawn), although few are aware of the name. In 1965, the then British Ambassador in Belgium planted an oak tree and unveiled a bronze plaque to commemorate the 150th anniversary of this sporting and historical event.

In 1877, the Chalet Robinson was built on the lake’s island. The chalet was destroyed by a fire in 1991. The decision was made in 2006 to rebuild it and it reopened to the public in September 2009. The surface of the wooden building is approximately 300 sq metres, with a restaurant on the ground floor and a ballroom on the first floor. An electrical ferry boat links the island to the shores of the lake.

The main road around the lake has been closed to traffic on Saturdays and Sundays since the 1990s.

On the 10th and 11th of August 2018 will be held

the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed AL Nahyan Festival Endurance Cup and HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance. On Friday August 10th will be held the CEI3*** 160 km and CEI1* 100 km races and on Saturday August 11th the CEI2** 120 km and CEI2** Ladies Cup.

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Embarcadère vers l’Ile Robinson à l’automne. Photo: Charles Lecompte

Bois de la Cambre Tunel: Photo: Aktron Wikimedia Commons

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