Fei focus 4

Faces and places June 2010

June 2010

Faces and places

The Other Side of Boyd Exell – Page 28

Endurance in Assam An inspirational experience – Page 22

Youth Olympic Games Countdown to Singapore – Page 32

rodrigo pessoa Three-time FEI World Cup™ Champion.

Olympic gold medal winner.

Victor of more than 150 Grands Prix.

Fate gave him a legendary name.

Determination made that legend his own.

OYSTER PERPETUAL DATEJUST IN 18 CT WHITE GOLD

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Editorial

Welcome by the FEI Secretary General

Note from the FEI President

Since the March edition of FEI FOCUS, the equestrian world has again witnessed a multitude of exciting sporting events.

Dear FEI FOCUS readers, In March, International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge visited the site of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) and praised the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee for its work and enthusiasm. As excitement mounts in the YOG host country, our Postcard from series shines a spotlight on the Equestrian Federation of Singapore with its president Dr Melanie Chew, who explains how the prestigious event is affecting the small island’s dynamic equestrian community.

Youth Olympic fever is high in Australia too, where a devoted team has the important task of schooling the horses that will be lent to the young athletes competing in the Jumping event in Singapore. In this edition of FEI FOCUS, we meet those Australian trainers and find out what their work involves.

Closer to the FEI headquarters, Geneva was the venue for the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping and FEI World Cup™ Driving finals in April, which put Marcus Ehning (GER) and Boyd Exell (AUS) respectively on the podiums. Two weeks earlier, Edward Gal (NED) and

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Moorlands Totilas won their first ever FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final on home ground in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. We bring you a round-up of all three exciting events, then step into the more personal world of Boyd Exell in our The Other Side of… feature.

Martina Hingis is not a name that is usually associated with the equestrian world but she is no stranger to the saddle. The Slovakianborn Swiss tenniswoman, who set a series of “youngest-ever” records in her sport, tells us about the role horses play in her life.

The young Japanese rider Tadahiro Hayashi has not yet reached the same level of sporting excellence as Hingis but is already making a name for himself in Jumping. In our One day feature, he shares his hopes and dreams, which, not surprisingly for the son of an Olympic rider, are ambitious. Continuing the youth theme, we look at how courses run by the HSBC Pony Club are helping young riders to develop their skills in the UK. Sean Doane is a man who needs no reminding that the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM are taking place in Kentucky this October. As venue manager for the event, he has little time for anything else, as you will find out in our A Life in a Day feature. And those of you who intend to witness the excitement in Kentucky first-hand will find plenty of useful information in our World Equestrian Games travel guide.

We hope you will enjoy reading this edition of FEI FOCUS and look forward to receiving any feedback you may wish to give.

Alex McLin FEI Secretary General

The HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing series began on March 5 at Tallahassee in Florida (USA), where Mara Dean (USA) and her veteran 15-year-old Irish-bred Nicky Henley became the first duo to post a winning score. They were soon joined on the leaderboard by Megan Jones (AUS) and her Beijing Olympic ride Kirby Park Irish Jester after their victory at Kihikhi (NZL) on April 2.

On March 23, the Netherlands' Edward Gal and his stallion Moorlands Totilas claimed the 25th anniversary FEI World Cup™ Dressage title in s'Hertogenbosch, with a performance that matched high expectations fuelled by their three record-breaking scores in 2009.

More than 54,000 spectators headed to Geneva in April for the Rolex FEI Wwof the Jumping final, while the Australian Boyd Exell won the Driving final for the second consecutive year.

Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt and his 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Cool Mountain seized an early lead in the HSBC FEI Classics™ after their winning performance at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. The spotlight shifted to the Mitsubushi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) the following weekend when Paul Tapner (AUS) achieved the greatest moment of his Eventing career to claim the trophy and second place in the series.

These outstanding performances are all pointers to the form spectators can expect at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, from September 25 to October 10 in Lexington, Kentucky.

But before riders from eight disciplines convene at the Kentucky Horse Park, the world will witness the fruition of IOC president Jacques Rogge’s initiative to stage the first ever Youth Olympic Games. The Singapore-hosted event will bring together 3,600 athletes aged between 14 and 18 and various communication initiatives will link youths worldwide with the event. The Jumping event at the Youth Olympic Games will be a wonderful opportunity for the young riders to let their talents shine, inspiring and motivating children and adolescents around the world.

We have much to look forward to together and I wish all those who are contributing to the equestrian calendar, whether they are doing so as athletes, spectators, organisers or sponsors, many great moments of outstanding horsemanship.

HRH Princess Haya FEI President

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Table of Contents

08 Through the Looking Glass Photos by Julia Rau

14 One day...

Portraits of the next generation

Focus June 2010 Print-run Frequency Editor in Chief Subeditor Design /Art Printing Cover©

2,500 Quarterly Richard Johnson Marianne Burkhardt Tasmanie.ch SRO Kundig, Geneva Julia Rau

Contact /Advertising

32 Shaping up for Singapore

20 HSBC Pony Club An eventing and training programme across Britain

46 Postcard from Singapore

Schooling in Australia

Interview with Dr Melanie Chew

40 FEI World Cup™ Dressage

22 Assam Endurance

2009/2010 season wrap-up

A coaching format that travels well

42 FEI World Cup™ Driving

26 The long ride

50 Alltech Tips

2009/2010 season wrap-up

En route to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™

From Beijing to London

18 Why the Long Face ?

Exclusive interview with Martina Hingis

44 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping

28 The other Side of...

52 The Road to 2010

2009/2010 season wrap-up

Boyd Exell

49 A Life in a Day Sean Doane, Venue Manager, 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™

Endurance in India

16 Honing the skills to inspire

FEI – Fédération Equestre Internationale Richard Johnson Avenue de Rumine 37, CH-1005 Lausanne T +41 21 310 47 47, F +41 21 310 47 60 www.fei.org Richard Johnson@fei.org

Your travel guide

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FEI Congress on NSAID use in equestrian competition Lausanne, 16-17 August 2010 Open to National Federations and representatives of all stakeholder groups, including veterinarians, officials, Riders Clubs, Organisers, FEI Laboratories, racing and breeding authorities, sponsors, the IOC, WADA and the media.

Early registration is recommended.

Further information and regular updates at: http://www.fei.org/veterinary/nsaid-congress-2010

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Through the Looking Glass

Julia Rau

The work of German photographer Julia Rau is regularly published in equestrian magazines in Europe and America and features in books by the Eventing rider Ingrid Klimke.

Julia took up photography when her ex-husband – a journalist and photographer for a local newspaper – bought her a camera. Soon, she was accompanying him on assignments and providing the photos that accompanied his articles. The diversity of subjects they covered gave her a broad perspective of the profession, but her love of horses naturally steered her towards her specialisation.

As a child, she rode regularly, despite her parents’ disapproval, which increased further when she broke her arm in a fall. Later, while training to be a social worker, she accompanied underprivileged children on riding holidays organised by the Protestant Church.

Julia covers around 30 equestrian competitions each year and travels constantly between April and October. She particularly enjoys the excitement of Eventing. “It’s aesthetic and dynamic,” she enthuses.

“There is tension between the riders and their horses but, at the same time, they are in complete harmony.”

When she is on magazine assignments, Julia sees herself as a reporter. “I have to show events to readers who don’t attend,” she explains. “They need to see what the event was really like and I don’t want to force them to see things the way I do.”

This quest for objectivity means she rarely uses a wide-angle lens, which she feels “manipulates the truth”. Modestly, she believes that a good photo is down to luck.”It’s all about light. You never know how it will come out and you can be disappointed by the results,” she says. “But sometimes, everything is just right.”

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Through the Looking Glass

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Julia Rau

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Through the Looking Glass

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Julia Rau

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One Day…

Portraits of the next generation

As the FEI continues its “Year of Youth”, Richard Johnson speaks to one of the leading young Jumping riders from Japan ,

Tadahiro Hayashi .

After winning both the Young Rider Championship and Championship in Japan last, year this 19-year-old, whose father, Tadayoshi Hayashi, competed in the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games, is making headlines.

Complete the sentence ….One day I would like to... realise my dreams What is your favorite website? YouTube, Face book Who is your role model ? A person who is striving for his dream like my father When did you start riding and why? My family has been running a horseback riding club since I was a kid. So I've been living with horses all of my life.

How do you feel when you ride? The feeling is really profound, so every day I ride it’s great to get this feeling.

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What are your long-term goals as a rider?

My long term goal is to win a Gold medal at the Olympics.

How do you like to relax when you are not riding? By shopping and going for lunch with my friends.

Do you do anything for good luck? Nothing special, but I think that most important thing is to trust myself and my horse.

What is the one thing you would do to improve equestrian sport? I'd like to see good results at all of the big International events and let everyone feel familiar with equestrian sport around the world.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?

I have received lots of good advice, so it is difficult for me to choose. "Copy the good points of top riders" – that’s the best advice for me...

What advice would you give to someone visiting Japan for the first time? Japan is a very good country. Go sightseeing in good places (especially Mount Fuji) and don't forget to try Japanese food!

What sort of music do you download? Hip-hop Before you compete, what do you normally eat?

Same as usual. Rice and miso soup are good for me!

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Honing the skills to inspire A technical coaching session

FEI Coaching System, developed from an Irish method, has enabled coaches from 76 developing National Federations in the Olympic disciplines of Jumping, Eventing and Dressage to improve their skills. Liam Moggan, Coach Development Officer at the In five years, the

Irish sports coaching and development body Coaching Ireland talks about the effectiveness of a system that is travelling well.

The FEI’s first coaching courses took place in 2004, with the aim of helping developing National Federations to organise their existing structures. So far, the courses have taken place in South and Central America, Central Europe, Africa and Asia. Coaches practising locally receive tuition from FEI-appointed tutors at two levels in the three Olympic disciplines. Some become tutors themselves and then contribute to extending the system in their own regions.

In coaching, two-way communication is necessary, in order to develop the technical, tactical, mental, physical and personal capacities of the athletes. Emphasis is also placed on the importance of adopting a suitable lifestyle.

Liam Moggan, Coach Development Officer at Coaching Ireland, is convinced of the effectiveness of the system, which was created by the Equestrian Federation of Ireland, then adapted by the FEI for its own use.

“The most effective coaches can transform the person they are training,” he says. “The essence of the relationship with the participant is key to success and good personal interaction skills are at the core of it.”

In addition to developing participants’ technical skills, the coach education system aims to improve their powers of observation and analysis, as well as their ability to pay attention to detail and read body language.

Liam Moggan moderating the first FEI Regional Coaches Workshop in Quito, Equador

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“It’s often about the riders changing their behavior and responses to situations,” says Moggan. “The coach can help, but, in the end, the riders must be open to the concept of change and really want to make it.” For him, these subtle

and specific skills must be combined with a bond of trust between trainee and coach. “To benefit from good coaching, a rider must become completely immersed in it,” he adds.

Not everyone is a born coach, but Moggan believes that anyone can learn to become one. He is also adamant that tutors, like the coaches, must constantly update their skills.

“In the FEI system you have to be a Level 2 coach in order to become a tutor,” he explains. “The FEI Director of Coaching, Jacqueline Braissant, saw the need for the training of tutors in order to provide consistent, quality training and that is one of the great strengths of the system that is now in place – it’s based on a format that remains exactly the same no matter where it is implemented in the world.”

Moggan says the coach education system is already making a difference but that the benefits of the work of all those involved will be seen in 10 or 15 years time.

“There are people within the FEI and the FEI family with the ability, vision, enthusiasm and knowledge to promote and ignite a trusted, effective system and I am very proud to be a part of that,” he says.

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Why the Long Face ?

How would you describe your connection to horses ?

Do you think there is a lot of pressure on young athletes nowadays

I’m very passionate about horses; it gives me a sense of freedom when I am with horses.

as opposed to when you were growing up? I think it is similar today, Although, the rules in tennis have changed so that you cannot play as many events at a young age.

As a professional sportswoman, did you have any time

Martina Hingis Martina Hingis turned professional at the age of 14 and dominated world tennis in the 1990s, ranking #1 in women’s singles three times and nearly completing a rare Grand Slam in 1997. FEI correspondent Mungo Denison asks the Slovakian-born Swiss sportswoman about the role horses play in her life.

or even interest in horses when you were growing up?

You managed to remain at the top of your game for a long

Yes. I started riding when I was 11. At 15, when I got my first prize money cheque for tennis, I bought a horse!

time. What were the ingredients to your sporting success and

What do you think young people gain from riding ?

Do you think that riding can add to the character and

You learn to take care of a horse and you have to learn to deal with the responsibility that comes with it. Riding a horse also teaches you to have good balance.

development of a young person ? Yes, you have to learn responsibility and you have to take ownership of what you do. I think it can teach you some good lessons.

Do you think equestrian sport needs to adapt to young people today ? It’s quite an expensive sport, which means it is not accessible to everyone – especially when you are young.

Discipline, focus and concentration. I also tried to keep learning.

longevity ?

If horses could talk, what would they be saying ? I think my horses would be pretty happy. It is important to treat them with respect. I have certain rules to make sure they a good quality of life.

Is there a unique trait you look for in a horse that you can’t

Your first riding experience – was it bliss or terror ?

I was four years old! When they first put me on a horse it was terror, but then when they put me on a pony instead, I smiled.

find in people? I think I am lucky that I am surrounded by both people and horses that I trust. I look at it like a partnership.

What would you miss most if you could no longer go riding ?

Yes. If you can overcome your fear, then yes, anyone can get on a horse and ride.

Do you think anyone can ride?

The beautiful trail rides in the snowy mountains.

level) or thought about how you could get involved?

Where in the world would you most like to ride? I’ve been lucky. The best place I have ever ridden is Sandy Beach in Australia. I would love to go back to Ireland and ride there.

Yes, up until 1 m 30 cm category but my dream is to at least S class.

If you could spend one afternoon riding with a famous

Have you ever competed in an equestrian event (at any

I think I’ve been really lucky. I have ridden with some of the true greats – Rodrigo Pessoa, Michel Robert and Marcus Ehning. And on Wednesday, I am looking forward to riding with Nelson Pessoa.

person (past or present) who would it be and why?

Do you have a licence to drive a horsebox/lorry?

No, but that is my next driving goal – I recently passed my boat driver’s licence!

The head – especially the eyes. I think you can see a lot about a horse's character through its eyes.

What’s your favourite part of a horse?

What is your all time favourite horse film ?

Black Beauty and

Secretariat.

© L’Equipe/Lahalle

How did you react to your success at such a young age ?

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I just grew into it. It isn’t something you can prepare for. When you are successful at a young age, you just learn to deal with it. I didn’t have too much time to react; I just tried to keep in charge of things.

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HSBC Pony Club

Eventing Training Programme

HSBC, now a platinum partner of the FEI and global sponsor of eventing through the HSBC FEI Classics™, which unites five of the world’s four-star three-day events, and the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing, holds at the centre of all of its sponsorships a commitment to youth, education and community. This is why, for the second year running, it has teamed up with the Pony Club to create the HSBC Pony Club Eventing Training Programme, which is designed to capitalise on the talent and enthusiasm of Pony Club Members.

Top: Mary King, William Blane and Nick Gauntlett at Stockland Lovell Below left: Pony Club Member Below right: Pony Club Member enjoying Cross Country tuition at Stockland Lovell Bottom right: Pony Club Member taking advantage of the Training day at Guildford

“The sport of eventing is one that Britain excels at and through this sponsorship we hope that riders at the grass roots level of the sport can be encouraged and helped to develop their skills, therefore widening and strengthening the base of riders who may well go on through junior and young rider schemes to represent their country at the highest level,” said Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship at HSBC.

© Kit Houghton

This consists of 23 eventing training days in 2010, at least one in each of the Pony Club in Britain’s 19 regions. Each of the training sessions is conducted by a top coach, such as Yogi Breisner, British Eventing Team Performance Manager, or one of a number of international riders and trainers. These include Eric Smiley, Gill Watson, Caroline Moore, Nigel Taylor and Nick Gauntlett, all of whom have proven records as both riders and trainers.

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The Pony Club, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2009, is recognised as the largest association of riders in the world. The vast majority of Britain’s international event riders – and many of those from other countries, such as Australia and New Zealand – owe their success to the Pony Club. Every Member of Britain’s gold-medal-winning team at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championship last year – William Fox-Pitt, Tina Cook, Oliver Townend and Nicola Wilson – and individual gold and silver medallists Tina Cook and Piggy French, were Pony Club Members.

The Pony Club – and the training it provides – is therefore key to the continued success at the highest level of British event riders.

Jenny Benoy, the area representative for the British Pony Club’s Cheshire and North Wales region, held the first HSBC Pony Club Eventing and Training Programme of 2010 on 20 and 21 March. This was two days of instruction for 24 riders. The first day consisted of showjumping and dressage tuition, while the second day concentrated on cross-country technique, coursewalking and putting the technique into practise over a course. “The Pony Club is all about training, so to get help like this is a huge bonus and parents are extremely grateful. It means we can offer top-class tuition at very competitive rates,” says Benoy. “As safety in cross country is such a significant issue in the sport of eventing, the better prepared our young riders are, the safer they should be.”

HSBC Pony Club Eventing Training days are scheduled across Britain – in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Cheshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Surrey, Somerset, Wales, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Cornwall, Yorkshire, Wiltshire and Cambridgeshire – from March until the beginning of July. This should enable a wide range of Pony Club Members to access the sort of top-class training that will make a real difference to their riding and their attitude to competition and preparation for competition. Judy Edwards, Chief Executive of The Pony Club, says: “With The Pony Club being the youth arm of the British Equestrian Federation, providing the training ground for aspiring equestrian Olympic athletes, it is imperative that we give them the very best possible grounding. The HSBC training grant is enabling us to do just that.”

For further information regarding the HSBC Pony Club Training and Grassroots programme please contact: Jenny Yates, Eventing and Training Officer +44 (0) 2476 698305, or email Jenny@pcuk.org 21

Assam Endurance

As part of the independently sponsored FEI Endurance Development Scheme, an Endurance Seminar and Endurance Training clinic recently took place in the lead-up to the ‘Eastern Himalayan Ride 2010’ in Assam, India.

Over twenty riders, trainers and Endurance Officials attended the working sessions hosted by the Equestrian Federation of Assam under the aegis of the Equestrian Federation of India.

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Assam Endurance

A number if International FEI Endurance Officials made presentations at the Seminar and clinics and officiated at the ride itself, working alongside Endurance officials from the Equestrian Federation of India and Assam.

The Eastern Himalayan Ride 2010 also saw the participation of a number of international riders, who were invited by the organisers.

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Riders from Argentina, Switzerland, the UK and the USA joined some twenty-six national riders in the competition. The course of some 60km tracked alongside the Brahmaputra River (part of one of Asia’s longest rivers at 2,900 km long), past local villages and through the world famous Assam Tea Plantations – all under the shadow of the mighty Himalaya.

For Ian Williams, FEI Director of Non-Olympic Sports, watching the local riders competing alongside some of the best riders in the world was unforgettable. "It really was an uplifting experience for the FEI to be involved with such an worthwhile and inspiring project," he said.

"The beauty of this programme is to really outreach to the far corners of the earth and bring people together, share knowledge, expertise and to fasttrack their knowledge of endurance.

Ultimately the long-term aim will be that they will be inspired to ride at a higher level.”

The ride’s 55 per cent completion rate was a great encouragement to the organisers, both in terms of an assessment of the local horses used and the degree of knowledge learned from the sponsored Seminar and Training Clinic.

In the open competition, Ald Krishan Kumar of India riding Chandan took first position, ahead of Switzerland’s Suse Kathi Muhlethaler riding Monu in second place and Martha Misheff (USA) riding Moom Star in third.

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Megan Lewis

The long Ride

Where do the horses stay at night? On the first trial stage they were tied up where possible on long tethers with access to grazing, but more often than not they were tied up in all sorts of places to all manner of things - girders in a hotel courtyard, trucks, trailers, electricity poles etc! Luckily Chinese horses take this all in their stride! On the second Great Wall stage we had the advantage of the trailer to tie up to, and very occasionally they were loose in a grassy courtyard.

In the October edition of FOCUS, 60-year-old Megan Lewis spoke of her impatience to continue her charity ride from Beijing to London, which was interrupted when she was injured in a fall. We catch up with the intrepid horsewoman in China.

What distance will you cover on the ride? A very difficult question to answer until we have finished!

The distance as the crow flies is over 5000 miles or 8000km, but the actual distance we will cover on the ground will be very different due to the meandering of the route, particularly in rough terrain. One route between London and Beijing recently covered by bicycle was estimated at around 7500 miles. Given that our route is more likely to be off road, one can give an estimate of between 8000 – 10000 miles (approx 13,000 –16,000km).

How far have you already ridden ? The distance I have covered on the Great Wall stage is approximately 1800 miles.

How long are you in the saddle every day ? We are usually in the saddle for an average of six to eight hours, starting at about 7 or 8am and arriving at our chosen destination at around 4 –5 pm, we have regular rests, and take an hour or two off at midday for lunch and to feed the horses. When the weather is hot, we start earlier to avoid the midday heat, and have a longer midday break.

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Where do you stay at night? Our support vehicle driver goes ahead every day to find somewhere suitable to stay, depending on how far we decide to ride that day. Since receiving official certification, there has been no problem staying where we wish, and this has usually been very basic accommodation in farmers’ houses, small hotels and truck stops. The latter have the advantage of large yards that can accommodate the back-up vehicle and horses. We have not camped as yet, although I anticipate doing so in the future. More up market hotels are out, as apart from the fact that they are beyond our budget, they invariably do not have the space or inclination to accommodate three to four horses!

What do you feed the horses? We buy loose feed in bags from local feed merchants. Feed is mainly in the form of ground cereals, the staple being ground maize, which we mix with oats, ground wheat, and something which I have been unable to identify yet, but is possibly sorghum. Forage is mainly in the form of hay, or straw and maize stalks when hay is not available. We also stop to graze the horses where possible on patches of grass or alfalfa on the roadside.

Why on horseback? Apart from the fact that I have enjoyed horse riding since I was a child, I feel one experiences far more of the real flavour of the areas one travels through in comparison with travelling by motorised transport. In riding slowly and quietly through areas away from the main roads, one sees and experiences things one would otherwise miss, and has the opportunity to communicate with local people on a more personal level. The advantage over walking is that the horse does all the hard work, leaving the rider free to relax and enjoy the scenery!

Do you intend to ride one horse the whole way? It would be a real achievement to ride a Chinese horse all the way to London, but realistically it is unlikely to be possible due to the difficulties of some of the border crossings. In addition, I am intending to use native breeds of horse suited to local terrain and conditions where possible, partly to promote the different native breeds of horse we will encounter along the way.

What sort of horses are you using? I intend to use local breeds of horse, and for the China stage we have been using Chinese Shandan horses, generously provided by the Shandan horse stud. This stud was established in the 1930s in Gansu province to provide horses for military use - as packhorses and for patrolling in difficult terrain. This was done by crossing Russian Don stallions with smaller local breeds. At one time the stud kept thousands of breeding mares but they now only have a few hundred. A robust, tough horse, the Shandan horse is generally between 13 and 14hh and typically a plain bay.

What has been the highlight of the trip so far? It is difficult to single out a particular highlight. In general it has been the unique opportunity to experience the real China, being invited into people's homes and seeing how they live at grassroots level. The friendliness and hospitality of the Chinese people we have encountered has been incredible, from the banquets laid on by the horsey communities in Guyuan, Houhehot and Baotou, to the simple gifts of fruit (and even onions in one case!) pressed upon us by locals. One magical experience was riding across the Huang He floodplain, sometimes right beside the swirling waters of the great muddy river, followed for miles by little Chinese swallows which swooped and darted right under the noses of the horses. Another unforgettable event was when we turned up at Tumen, an old town on the Great Wall in Gansu province to find that a Daoist temple dedicated to an ancient 'horse ancestor' was being rebuilt, having been destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.

The auspicious arrival of travellers on horseback created vast excitement, and decked out in red silk scarves and to the accompaniment of fire crackers, we were prevailed upon to lead the horses right inside the temple to bring good luck. At the start of the ride it was not possible to follow close to the Great Wall due to the rugged terrain, so in Gansu it was an absolute thrill to be able to ride right alongside its crumbling earth remains for long stretches, often close enough to touch it.

How did the Chinese react to you riding through?

They were very surprised and curious to see travellers on horses, particularly when they realised our group included an elderly foreign woman. Oddly, one of the questions we were asked on more than one occasion was if we were a circus!

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Boyd Exell, winner of April’s FEI World Cup™ Driving final, left his native Australia in 1993 to hone his riding and carriage driving talents in England.

Cindy Timmer asks the professional carriage driving instructor and trainer about horses and more…

The other Side of…

My parents taught me...

When I was a child, I used to race with motorcross bikes and play rugby. I always used to look over my shoulder at my fellow competitors and team players rather than to look forward. My father used to complain about this a lot and he has taught me to always look forward instead of looking back.

My dream come true is...

When I left Australia to live in Great Britain, one of my ambitions was to win a World Championship. When I have achieved this, it will be a milestone in my life. I do not have the ambition however to win 15 World Championships – winning is not everything to me.

I need to win once to be able to say that I have done it. I am in fact keener on the way I won it than the winning itself.

I don’t go anywhere without...

My mobile phone and my VISA card, I always need either one of them!

All photos © Rinaldo de Craen/FEI

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The other Side of…

Boyd Exell

After an event, the first person I send a text message to is...

Normally I always make sure that my older sister Lisa knows what the results are. She works with computers and usually already knows the results, but I am always making sure. She is very special to me.

The person I most admire is...

The last book I read was...

I don’t read books because I fall asleep at the tenth page and I have to start all over again! I do read articles and equestrian sport magazines and of course, the driving rules since they are always being updated! I watch a lot of DVDs; watching a film makes me switch off everything else.

I chose driving because...

I did not choose driving, driving chose me.

As a young boy, all I wanted to do was show jump. Since we did not have any horses at home, my mother arranged for me to help a friend of hers who had carriage horses. I was devastated when I went for the first time and found out they were carriage horses instead of show jumping horses. But I loved working with horses, so I went to that yard every day anyway.

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My earliest horserelated memory is ...

When I was four years old, I used to go to the field with horses at the end of our street, but as soon as they walked up to me, I jumped back out of the field!

For me, the three most important reasons for getting up every morning are...

My children James and Olivia jumping all over me in bed until I get up! Customers waiting for me for lessons. My grooms Michelle and Lisa waiting at the yard for me to arrive. I am not very good in the mornings anyway, I only know of one eight o’clock and that is in the evening!

I take a long time to get going in the morning.

Mark Todd and George Bowman Sr. for their natural horsemanship. They have a unique way of creating a relationship with horses and the horses will do everything for them.

I was in Dubai five years ago when I got to know Mark Todd personally. He drove my team and I saw straight away that he has a really good feeling and very good control over the horses.

I admire George Bowman because he goes for the maximum potential. He will only be happy if he has won the dressage and put down a good performance at the same time.

My most life-changing experience was...

When I broke my leg four years ago, I re-evaluated my focus. Prior to my accident, I was not hungry for winning. I was unable to compete for 18 months and when I started to compete again, I was more focussed and driven.

The quality I appreciate most in other people is...

I appreciate people with a genuine character.

I appreciate it when people remain the same under pressure or not under pressure. Some people behave in one way when everything goes well and in a different way when it goes bad, I do not like that very much.

If I were a politician in my country, I would try to change...

The taxes on diesel! In the UK, diesel is extraordinarily expensive. Other than that, I am whappy with how the world is going.

Driving has given me...

A world wide sport. My hobby became my business, it doesn’t feel like work. I do what I want to do and the driving sport has enabled me to do this.

Young people wanting to get into this sport should...

Never hesitate to walk up to top drivers to ask something. They have to show their keenness - top horsemen will recognise this and will be happy to help them do this.

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Youth Olympic Games in Singapore Shaping up for Singapore At the Youth Olympic Games in August, riders in the Jumping event will be paired with horses that a team of dedicated trainers is schooling in Australia. Louise Parkes finds out more about these equine athletes destined for excellence an operating theatre) and a huge outdoor Polytrack training ring designed to drain 150 to 180 cm of water per hour from the surface if tropical weather conditions get in the way, he also had to source suitable equine athletes in a relatively short space of time.

Jeremy Edwards

It's always a challenge when doing something for the first time, but when you combine youth's enormous drive and energy with experience, determination and focus, then even the toughest targets can be achieved. Add an extra dollop of complete commitment to that, and you have the perfect picture of the team managing the logistics of the equestrian event for this summer's inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore.

Jeremy Edwards is the Australian Deputy Head of Venue Operations for the YOG, and Venue Manager for the sole equestrian activity of Jumping. He already has three Olympic Games and the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain under his belt and therefore had a fairly good idea of what he was letting himself in for when taking on the roles in December 2008, but there was an extra dimension for him this time around. Part of his brief was to provide horses for the 30 young riders who will descend on the Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre in six months time, so apart from ensuring the ideal environment that includes a world-class 50x80 metre covered arena, 40 stables, paddocks, cooling tents, veterinary facilities (including

"I started off by writing and developing a model based on FEI requirements and the legacy programme for Singapore," says the 46-year-old, who hails from rural New South Wales. "The long-term intention is that the horses will be sold into the developing Singapore market after the Games," he explains.

He put out a tender for sourcing and production, with very specific requirements. A selection of 38 horses, capable of jumping a course of fences up to 1. 20 metres in height and suitable for re-sale by the end of their training would have to be found, and strict veterinary requirements were put in place.

"I was looking for animals aged between five and 12 years old - no stallions, just mares and geldings, and the majority thoroughbred or quality warmbloods and warmblood crosses.

I wanted horses that would stand up to competition in the tropics and I talked a lot with Professor Leo Jeffcott about what we should be looking for in that regard. Temperament was also hugely important with a view to selling on.

They were initially examined by a local veterinary surgeon before a second veterinary expert was asked to produce a report on the findings of the first vet. We left nothing to chance, we did a wide range of blood tests and 26 digital images per horse," he points out.

After being awarded the contract to procure and train the horses by the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, Paula Hamood of Glen Haven Park tried over 100 horses under saddle, with 51 passing the ridden test but 17 of these failing the Veterinary Exam.

After following this process, Paula and her team at Glen Haven Park, with a great sense of achievement, decided on 38 impressive candidates for the Singapore team of horses.

Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre

All photos © Mel Cruden

The Glen Haven Park team

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Youth Olympic Games in Singapore

The ďŹ rst horses arrived at Paula and David Hamood's 1,200-acre farm, Glen Haven Park, in Queensland, Australia in August and the last in December 2009. From the moment the Singapore horses began to arrive at Glen Haven Park, their training and care became the sole focus for everyone at the farm.

Originally from Birdwood in South Australia, Paula Hamood is a hugely experienced horsewoman who has been short-listed for

three Australian Olympic show jumping teams and is a prominent ďŹ gure on her national circuit. The Hamoods have four children 19-year-old Joshua, 17-year-old Olivia (also an accomplished horsewoman and trainer of the Singapore horses), Joseph, who is four, and twoyear-old Sophia. Paula is a lady with plenty on her plate, but as the old saying goes: "If you want a good job done then ask a busy man" (or woman in this case!).

Paula Hamood

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Youth Olympic Games in Singaporee

Mother-of-four Paula Hamood with her daughter Olivia: if you want a good job done, ask a busy woman.

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Many of the newly-purchased horses were coming out of the Australian winter so muscle development, feet, teeth and worming were early priorities. "The contract is a huge responsibility but I know we are doing a really good job and that the young riders in Singapore will have a great time competing at the Olympics on these wonderful horses," Paula says. The Singapore horses, have their own stable block at Glen Haven Park with ďŹ ve grooms (three of whom have travelled from Netherlands, Wales and New Zealand to be part of this exciting project) attending

their every need and four accomplished riders focusing on the training, including Paula, her daughter Olivia, Emma Smith from Sydney and the multi-talented Tom Sedger, who also doubles-up as the barn farrier. "I'm really very proud of the whole team, and they are certainly looking forward to spending six weeks in Singapore with the horses and being a part of the ďŹ rst ever Youth Olympic Games," she adds.

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Youth Olympic Games in Singaporee

The horses will undergo the 14-day pre-export quarantine in their own stables at Glen Haven Park before travelling the two-hour road journey to Brisbane where they will be loaded for the eight-hour flight to Singapore.

"It will be hot and humid when they get to Singapore, but Australian horses are used to the heat and they will be stabled in an airy barn – very Australian-style – no air-conditioning but perfectly comfortable," Jeremy explains. A draw will take place to decide which horse and rider will be paired off, and that partnership will remain together for the duration of the competition, which begin on the 18 August.

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It's been a massive undertaking for both Jeremy, who describes himself as the "conductor of the choir" but who says the experience so far has been "personally very rewarding", and for Paula who says she is "loving every minute of it" but who, on the other hand, is not really looking forward to it coming to an end. "You become attached to the horses so it's difficult when you have to let them go but I'm hoping that, after doing a great job for the young riders this summer, their talents and training will be well utilised and they will go on to have successful careers with other riders," she says.

Shaping up for Singapore is an adventure for everyone, involved and you can follow the progress of the horses, trainers and grooms by visiting: www.glenhavenparkaust.com.au or check out the Youth Olympic Games at www.singapore2010.sg

Dutch groom Jacobine with Northern Prisma Three

39

Dressage

Wrap-up FEI World CupsTM

Celebrating at' s Hertogenbosch – an overview of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage series in its 25th season...

The 2009/2010 FEI World Cup™ Dressage season was a very special one, as this important series celebrated its 25th anniversary. And what better way to bring it to a close than to see the final return to where it all began – at 's-Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands. It was there, 25 years ago, that Anne Grethe Jensen and Marzog took the inaugural title in style, and this was the ninth final to take place at the Indoor Brabant Horse Show. What a final it was, as the "talking horse" of the world of international dressage – the magical Moorlands Totilas ridden by The Netherlands' Edward Gal – won through after a difficult start. From the outset, the concept of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage series was warmly embraced by the Dutch. The idea of a competition with a Kür to Music as a highlight was the brain-child of Joep Bartels after he watched the 1984 Olympic champions Dr Reiner Klimke and Ahlerich demonstrate an impressive series of one-tempi changes while precisely keeping time to the Olympic theme tune. After a strong lobby, matched by much enthusiasm from its first sponsor, the Nashua FEI World Cup was born.

Edward Gal riding Moorlands Totilas (NED)

Some purists believed that a World Cup with a Kür as a highlight would smother, rather than emphasise, classical riding techniques, but its public popularity was clear from the outset. It appealed to spectators, the media and television alike and became an official part of the new Olympic schedule deciding the individual medals in Atlanta in 1996. Another important change, made after the 2002 final, was to have the Grand Prix as the qualifier for the Freestyle test, thereby underlining the importance of the World Cup as a Freestyle championship. Not only has the standard of individual winners improved over the years, the overall standard is at a far higher level. Minimal scores below 60% used to be common-place for the second half of the field of competitors, but they belong to the past for the last decade.

Edward Gal's team-mate, nine-time World Cup champion Anky Van Grunsven, set the previous record score of 87. 75 % in the series final at Amsterdam in 2006. But for Moorlands Totilas, breaking records is all in a day's work, and, having settled his nerves after an unusually edgy performance in the preliminary Grand Prix at the 2010 final, the black stallion returned to his more familiar and spectacular self to raise the standard yet again when notching up a mark of 89.90 % to win the Kur.

The Dutch were in complete control, however, as Adelinde Cornellisen, winner of the Western European qualifying series, slotted into second place ahead of her compatriot Imke Schellekens-Bartels, who was third. Absent from the 2010 final was 2009 title-holder Steffen Peters from the USA. The dressage world awaits the first fascinating clash between the popular American partnership of Peters and his lovely stallion Ravel and Gal with the extraordinary Totilas at the forthcoming World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

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Photos © Kit Houghton/FEI

A total of 15 riders from 10 nations competed at the 25th final. Germany was represented by Matthias Alexander Rath, Carola Koppelmann and two-time champion Isabell Werth, while Patrick Kittel and Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven flew the Swedish flag.

Denmark's Princess Nathalie Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein was competing in the very last competition before the birth of her first baby, while Austria's Peter Gmoser got a late call-up, as did Belgium's Jeroen Devroe. The Central European League was represented by Michal Rapcewicz and Katarzyna Milczarek from Poland, while 39-year-old Brett Parbery qualified from the Pacific League and Brazil's Luiza Almeida from the South American/Asian region.

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Driving

Wrap-up FEI World CupsTM

Exciting Rolex FEI World Cup™ Driving Final in Geneva

Australia’s Boyd Exell won the very exciting Final of the FEI World Cup™ Driving season 2009/2010 in Geneva. Having won three FEI World Cup™ Driving competitions, Exell was the top favourite and even though he felt the pressure on his shoulders, he kept his head clear and stayed ahead of Koos de Ronde and IJsbrand Chardon.

The Winner Boyd Exell (AUS)

Fantastic atmosphere The Final competition in Geneva was probably one of the most exciting Finals in the nine-year-old history of the FEI World Cup™ Driving. Exell and the Dutch drivers had qualified for the Winning Round, but the time differences in the first round were very close to each other. As the times of the first and the Winning Round are counted together, after the first round the four-in-hand drivers had to give everything to win the title and to thereby make it even more difficult for each other ! The crowd in Geneva closely followed the performances of the drivers and their enthusiasm, together with the accompanying music, created a fantastic atmosphere in the Palexpo arena.

Double World Cup Champion IJsbrand Chardon drove a clear round in the final round with his new team of Lipizzaner horses, ensuring his third place. Koos de Ronde, who had been second behind Boyd Exell all season, except from the FEI World Cup™ Driving competition in Mechelen, knew where he could win some more time in the course. He drove an impeccable clear and very fast round, putting even more pressure on Exell since the difference was then only less than one second between the two drivers. One ball down by Boyd Exell would have made De Ronde the new FEI World Cup™ Driving Champion, but Exell did what he had to do. The British based Australian driver drove his very experienced team without any hesitation through the course and passed the finish line less than three seconds ahead of De Ronde and herewith retained his title.

Fantastic team of horses Exell was extremely happy with his win in Geneva and also praised his horses: “I have never had such a fast team in this setting together. They are a super team of horses and their timing is very good. I have let them down sometimes this season but I am happy that I have not let them down in Geneva. The public was really with me in the Palexpo, as soon as I passed the finish line the pressure fell off my shoulders and I also felt the relief of the crowd, a fantastic feeling!”

Ijsbrand Chardon (NED)

Unique course International course designer Falk Böhnisch from Germany had designed a fast and technically difficult course, which was much praised by the six drivers. As the arena in Geneva is one of the largest in Europe, 80 metres long and 60 metres wide, Böhnisch had more space to ‘play’ with the various lines and obstacles. The excellent surface, the hill, the bridge, the use of technically challenging obstacles and the wonderful water splash made it a true unique course in Geneva.

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Photos © Rinaldo de Craen/FEI

Best round ever Dutch driver Koos de Ronde achieved his goal in Geneva: “I came second behind Boyd all season and I really wanted to come second or win in Geneva! I am happy that I have been successful, especially because I only finished less than three seconds behind Exell in such a long course, it was just amazing.” De Ronde knocked a ball down in the first round and knew he could still save some time in the course by changing small things. “This was one of my best rounds ever and one of the most exciting Finals I have competed in.

I came third last year, second this year, so let’s hope I will win next year!”

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Jumping

Wrap-up FEI World CupsTM

2010 Rolex FEI World Cup JumpingTM Final in Geneva

Another riveting Rolex season...

Marcus Ehning's victory in the 2010 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping final in Geneva came at the end of another thrilling season. A total of 814 men and women battled it out in 13 qualifying leagues around the globe, hoping to take their place amongst the stars for the final showdown in the Swiss city that is home to the world's finest watchmakers. And for the 2010 champion from Germany it was a rewarding conclusion as he held the trophy aloft for the third time in his illustrious career.

The smallest qualifying league in terms of participant numbers was the South East Asian Series, which attracted just seven riders to its four events while, in stark contrast, the North American leagues jointly attracted a massive 184 starters to 28 competitions, and with 12 representatives at the final the Americans were always likely to prove influential.

The 43 finallists in the World Cup Final with officials

Great Win The Arab League concluded at Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on 23 January with a great win for Abdullah Sharbatly and Goldex from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and there were 11 rounds in the Australian league which ended in Sydney in December 2009 with a runaway victory for three-time Australian champion Chris Chugg, while Kyrgyzstan's Andrey Shalohin headed up the three-leg Central Asian series, which drew to a close at Astana in Kazakhstan last August. There were also only three legs in the Caucasian League in which Rashod Samadov from Azerbaijan reigned supreme, but there were 17 legs for the Central European countries before the final at Tallinn in Estonia. Toshiki Masui came out on top of the eight-round Japanese League series when producing a final-leg victory at Osaka last October, and there were also eight competitions in New Zealand where Katie McVean pipped Anna Trent for the regional title. Over the five legs of the South African series a total of 29 riders lined out, and it was Shaun Neill who headed the leaderboard following the last leg in Cape Town in November, while the seven-round South American series attracted a strong entry of 69 riders. Included amongst the qualifiers from North America were Irish rookie Darragh Kenny and Russia's Ljubov Kochetova while the 13-leg Western European League produced some spectacular jumping over the winter months at the end of which Ireland's Jessica Kuerten led the leaderboard by a considerable margin. Her late withdrawal following a fall removed one of the favourites from the start-list however and it was US West Coast champion, Rich Fellers, who threw down the gauntlet in the first of the three final competitions at the Palexpo Arena with a blistering victory in the Speed leg riding the Irish-bred stallion Flexing.

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Marcus Ehning is held aloft by Pius Schwizer and Ludger Beerbaum

Photos © Kit Houghton/FEI

Under the spotlight Constantly under the spotlight all week, however, was fellow American Mario Deslauriers who, aged 45 and 26 years older than when he first claimed the coveted title in Gothenburg in 1984, showed fantastic form with his nine-year-old Dutch gelding Urico. Lying seventh after the first competition he was runner-up behind Switzerland's Steve Guerdat and Tresor next time out and was the man to beat on the final afternoon.

His dream of recording the first US victory in 22 years was shattered over Rolf Ludi's final course of fences however, and he had to settle for sixth place in the final analysis. Consistency is the theme of this entire series, and it was Ehning, on the eve of his 36th birthday, who stood firmest to take the title after superb jumping from his two rides, Noltes Kuchengirl and Plot Blue, while team-mate Ludger Beerbaum and the man standing atop of the Rolex World Rankings, Switzerland's Pius Schwizer, finished joint-second. separated from the winner by just a single point.

Rich Fellers riding Flexible winner of the first round of the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Final.

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Postcard from Singapore Is equestrian sport concentrated in particular areas of

The Singapore Riding for the Disabled Association is a member of

Singapore is a tiny island.

It measures only 40 by 20km! And five million people live here. Real estate prices are among the highest in the world. Everything is concentrated! We have to adapt and be efficient in our use of land. Not only is land scarce. Singapore has no agriculture. Everything the horse needs – food, bedding, even water – is imported. So EFS has to relook the whole system of horse management, and introduce technology, innovation, and efficiency. We have to adapt the horse sports – which developed in Europe in the 19th century – for a 21st century city in Asia.

the Equestrian Federation of Singapore and has enabled thou-

Singapore? If so, why?

Facts&Figures President: Dr Melanie Chew

Equestrian Federation of Singapore

Honorary Secretary: Ms Monique Heah There are 2 permanent members of staff at the Equestrian Federation of Singapore

The first Youth Olympic Games are taking place in

5 clubs/riding associations

6 national events held in 2009 2 international events held in 2009 4 equestrian disciplines practiced in Singapore: Dressage, Jumping, Para-Equestrian, Polo 1500 racehorses and sporthorses in Singapore

Interview with Dr Melanie Chew

The YOG Equestrian Venue is up and running. The National Equestrian Park is the back-up venue, with its quarantine centre and training facilities. This is being built now. Then come the horses, which will be balloted. They are in Australia being trained and readied and will arrive in late July. The jumps, timers, markers, flags – all the equipment is on the way. We are training a whole generation of stewards, officials, jump-builders, instructors, horse managers, translators, announcers and volunteers. It has been a lot of hard work, but great fun!

What is the general atmosphere like in Singapore’s equestrian world in the run-up to the Games?

Singapore became an NF member of the FEI in 1975. Are you particularly proud of any projects that the Equestrian Federation

Yes, the EFS has achieved a lot. There has been a lot of investment in infrastructure and facilities. The Singapore Turf Club just finished an international equestrian centre and riding school. This will be the venue for the Youth Olympic Games. Another project is the National Equestrian Park, with some 300 stables for competition and training, arenas, cross country, paddocks, hospital, quarantine and a swimming pool for horses, right in the middle of Singapore. With the

of Singapore has developed since then?

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infrastructure in place, and the importation of many horses for the YOG, we are able to build Singapore teams for Jumping, Dressage, Eventing and ParaEquestrian. These are long-term projects, but show a horse sport that is growing and developing.So much is happening in Singapore! It is very exciting. We are grateful to the FEI for their support over the years, and special thanks are due to HRH Princess Haya, who personally wrote to our nation’s President, SR Nathan, to appeal for the Equestrian Park. In Singapore, land is scarce. Her letter was strong and heartfelt and made the difference.

us a little more about those activities? Do participants have the

Our first Olympic athlete is a Para-Equestrian. Laurentia Tan won two bronze medals at the Beijing Paralympics 2008.

More Para-Equestrians are coming up, and we hope to send a Team to the London Paralympics 2012. We are very proud of Singapore’s Riding for the Disabled (RDA). It offers equestrian therapy at no cost, daily.

The volunteers do a sterling job. I can’t tell you how many lives have changed because of RDA’s work.

Hundreds and thousands. Not only the riders, but also the volunteers, horses, parents and families. RDA makes the world a better place.

possibility of continuing to ride in the long term?

Singapore in August. How is the Equestrian Federation of Singapore preparing for the Jumping event ?

200 competitors affiliated to the NF

sands of children and adults with disabilities to ride. Can you tell

Nervous and excited! It is a big responsibility.

But it is also a great opportunity. Because of the YOG, Singapore’s equestrian community had a huge boost. We have two major venues, and these have brought hundreds of people into the equestrian community. We have to give them the knowledge: how to ride, how to manage the horses, and run a major Games.

All this in less than a year. It is a great achievement for Singapore.

What efforts does the Equestrian Federation of Singapore make to encourage young people to become involved in horse sports?

We do everything and in every way! The horse community is like a pyramid. At the very top, there are the champions who dream of going to the Olympics. But for every champion at the top, there are a thousand youngsters taking their first riding lesson. EFS is constantly nurturing the pyramid, at every level.

The new facilities help a lot. We put Pony Clubs in the mainstream academic schools, not just in the riding Clubs. We sponsor Riding Scholarships. A “Pony Road Show” brings cute and friendly ponies to shopping malls. Children are able to touch and feed a pony.

Perhaps they will take up the sport! Then, everyone must volunteer. This keeps costs down.

Sport needs dreams. If it cannot be an Olympic dream, so be it. Let’s innovate, create, and start another dream. Maybe it is the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore 2010. See you there!

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Sean Doane A Life in a Day

WATCH LIVE !

WATCH ONLINE !

Since Sean Doane was hired last September as Venue Manager for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM, the event has taken over his life. He liaises with nearly 60 companies that are preparing, building and upgrading facilities on the site and ensures everything runs to schedule and stays on budget. During the event, Sean will manage a team of 30 staff, who will take care of the smooth-running of the different venues.

I generally start my day at about 5am and we’ll use a Monday as an example…

I shower and am out the door by 6ish. I get to the office at around 7am, after stopping to get my daily supply of energy drinks.

Once I get to the office, I boot up the computer and begin to go through the 50 emails that I didn’t get to the day before. Then I take my first trip to the Kentucky Horse Park to see how the various construction projects that we have now broken ground on are progressing. I stop and chat with my Construction Superintendant and his contractors to see what the day’s plans are and if we are still on track to meet all deadlines.

It’s funny – you sit and plan and have meeting after meeting, thinking it’s not real, it’s not really going to happen. Then, all of a sudden, you are moving 250 tons of dirt just prepping one site for temporary structures. Then it’s real and you’re under the gun.

Bear in mind that I’m doing all of this while my phone is ringing off the hook and the emails are piling up. I have toured with rock and roll bands and done some major events before, but never anything as big as this. We have eight venues on 1200 acres and are running out of room for collateral. It sounds impossible – I scratch my head every time I look at the CAD [design program used by architects and engineers] and say: “How can this be?” I don’t think anyone has ever had to adapt and overcome the nuances we deal with here in Kentucky – it is a venue like no other and this is certainly going to be a world-class event like no one has ever seen before. There is simply nothing small about it.

www.feitv.org The official video website of the Fédération Equestre Internationale

FEI TV is the FEI’s new official video website and your ticket to the world’s most prestigious competitions. Sign-up to FEI TV (www.feitv.org) and get instant access to all the live broadcasts, the extensive video-on-demand library, all the highlights, the behind the scenes reports, the interviews and so much more.

Be at the heart of horsesport. Join us !

TV

Once I get back to the office – usually at around 9am, I begin my daily cycle of meetings. I can walk in to my office on Monday with just a staff meeting on my calendar and by the end of the day I will be booked solid until Wednesday or Thursday. There is no such thing as an 8-hour day in the event world.

I run Venue Operations at the park, so just about every meeting that is held with regard to “stuff” at the park requires my attendance.

So when do I have time to do real work? I work every day until about 6 or 7pm in the office, then I pack up the laptop, head home, grab a bite to eat and fire it up again until about 10pm.

By the end of my Monday, I have a full schedule for the rest of the week. I have meetings with regard to transport, sponsor contracts, structure and power contracts. The Horse Park wants me for 15 minutes and it just goes on and on. It will only get worse but we just keep on rolling.

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Keeping horses healthy en route to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™

By Dr. Helen Warren Technical Co-Ordinator, Solutions Deployment Team, Alltech

and Darlene Ricker Executive editor of Equine International (alltech. com/equineinternational), a monthly publication about FEI disciplines and the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM

When up to 900 horses are transported across the ocean this September for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM, it will be the largest airlift of horses since D-Day. Everyone involved – competitors, coaches, veterinarians and horse owners – shares the same goal: getting these prized mounts to Lexington and back home again in healthy form.

© Marc Manning

Throughout history, horses have been transported, often by van or boat, for many reasons, including breeding, military endeavours, competitions, ceremonial proceedings and leisure activities.

Today, and in particular with regard to the Alltech FEI Games, the transport vehicle of choice is the airplane, which minimises travel time but is a foreign environment for horses that provokes different forms of stress.

This stress can have many causes: social isolation from stable mates, aggressive interaction with other horses during transportation, insecurity in unfamiliar environments, altered training regimes and interrupted feeding schedules. Constant movement during transportation also requires energy to 50

maintain balance. This is an important consideration for horses that are expected to compete on arrival.

In normal conditions, the gut flora “reward” the horse for their intestinal home by leaving no room for “bad” bacteria, such as Salmonellae. This prevents them from growing in the gut and helps the gut lining to resist disease. In addition, the “good” bacteria help the horse’s digestive system to break down carbohydrates, as well as producing numerous vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids.

Travel stress can increase the incidence of gut ulceration, a painful condition that reduces performance and causes colic-like symptoms. Stress can also slow the flow of digesta and alter the normal gut flora, resulting in digestive upset and possibly lifethreatening diarrhoea or colic.

The effects of travel stress on the gut are compounded by the typical diet of regular equine travellers. To maintain athletic ability, high performance horses are fed energy-charged diets containing increased levels of starchy materials, such as cereal grains. This type of diet can reduce “good” gut flora and promote gut acidity, further predisposing the horse to gut disturbance and ulceration. Stressed, tired horses are unlikely to fulfil their potential on arrival and their health may suffer

in the days following a long journey. Thankfully, it is possible to mitigate some of these effects with nutritional supplementation. Yeast, when added to a horse’s diet, can support the normal gut flora; modifying the intestinal environment and improving the horse’s digestion.

Organic probiotics, such as those in LIFEFORCE™ Formula from Alltech (which is competition-legal), have been shown to reduce gut acidity where there was an excessive amount of starch in the gut, thereby creating a more stable gut environment.

LIFEFORCE™ stimulates the activity of fibredigesting bacteria in the hindgut of the horse in both high fibre and high starch diets, resulting in maximised fibre digestibility and more efficient use of nutrients, including energy. This increases the energy available to the horse for performance on arrival and counteracts digestive upsets associated with travel stress, which may lead to ulceration and colic.

picked up a sample of LIFEFORCE Formula. To our surprise, shortly before we finished the two-week packet, it looked like someone had waved a magic wand over our horses! The shine came out in their coats and attitudes.”

Tina Tunnell of Hampshire, England found similar results. The condition of her six-year-old 14.2hh TB/Shire x Welsh Cob deteriorated when he was stabled or taken to a show. “Keeping top line on him was almost impossible before, but LIFEFORCE has worked really well,” said Tunnell. “He now maintains condition even after travelling or competing.”

Salmonellosis is one of the most common infectious causes of diarrhoea in adult horses. Many cases develop after the stress of transport. The effects of travel stress on the normal gut flora allow an overgrowth of opportunistic Salmonella spp., which are present in the intestinal tract of many healthy horses. Affected horses may show little or no signs but may experience severe diarrhoea and even death.

A supplement can be used to bind these bacteria. It is known that a form of sugar (mannan oligosaccharide or “MOS”) found in the cell walls of certain yeasts can do this. Trials carried out in mares demonstrated that feeding a MOS-containing supplement (LIFEFORCE Formula) can improve immune function and help foals cope with pathogenic challenges to the digestive system. This benefit can, almost certainly, be extrapolated to the increased Salmonella challenge following transport.

Field reports support that principle. Peter Fleming of Malibu, California, found his imported warmblood dressage horses in general poor form this spring when they returned from winter training in Florida.

“Our horses got off the trailer looking and feeling just awful - dull coats, poor hoof condition, inattentive attitudes. We nearly cried. By chance, we

© Marc Manning

Alltech Tips

So, travel is an extremely stressful physical and mental experience for horses, which can result in reduced performance after transport. This can be prevented by supplementing the diet with LIFEFORCE, which increases the activity of the “good” bacteria, reduces gut acidity and improves fibre digestibility. For horse owners, the product provides an effective form of insurance for horses in the stable and on the road.

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The Road to 2010

For more information, visit www.alltechfeigames.com

Your Travel Guide to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM

1. Pick events to see: Over the 16 days of the 2010 Games, events include an opening ceremony, the world championship of eight FEI disciplines, and a closing ceremony. Each equestrian discipline will have multiple days of competition. Not sure when you want to visit? Sessions for each competition are divided into morning and afternoon to accommodate your viewing desires and budget. For the schedule of events visit www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets.

2. Get your tickets: Tickets for the 2010 games are available through Ticketmaster. Tickets will be sold at any Ticketmaster venue, at ticketmaster.com, or by calling the Ticketmaster hotline at 1-800-745-3000.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $150 (U.S.) 3. Find a place to stay: Short’s Sports and Events, the official housing partner for the 2010 Games, has provided multiple accommodation options for the Games including hotels, private home rentals, campgrounds and bed and breakfast options. Looking for value? Lexington is centrally located at the inter section of two interstate highways, and affordable accommodations can be found within an hour’s drive in any direction.

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4. Plan transportation to the Games: Lexington is in close proximity to three major airports, including Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport. In addition, Lexington is within a day’s drive of 2/3 of the US population.

7. World-class competition is not the only thing to enjoy: Aside from competition, spectators will be able to enjoy a variety of activities on the Kentucky Horse Park during the Games. There will be equine demonstrations in the Equine Village, and shopping in the extensive international Trade Show. Learn about the global reach of our title sponsor, Alltech in the Alltech Experience Pavillion, or learn about the Arabian horse in A Gift from the Desert at the Kentucky Horse Park’s International Museum of the Horse. Lastly, experience Kentucky, all without ever leaving the Kentucky Horse Parkat the Kentucky Experience. Visit www.alltech.com and www.kyhorsepark.com for information about our key partners and their offerings during the Games.

8. Plan things to do in the city: Aside from the Games, Lexington has much to offer tourists visiting the city. Go to www.visitlex.com for more information. In addition, Spotlight Lexington will take place downtown throughout the duration of the Games, providing food, entertainment, awards ceremonies and more.

Visit www.lexingtonky.gov/spotlightlexington/ for a schedule of activities.

5. Find a place to park: A number of pre-paid parking spaces will be availalbe the Kentucky Horse Park available for purchase. To reserve a spot visit the spectator information page on www.alltechfeigames.com and find the Click and Park reservation system. In addition, many hotels within our official Housing Bureau will offer a shuttle for Games patrons, and satellite parking locations will be available.

6. Figure out what you can and cannot bring to the Games: Spectators will be required to go through a security check before entering the grounds of the 2010 Games. A list of prohibited items is available on the Gamesweb site. Please check frequently before you travel because this list is subject to change.

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The Road to 2010

9. Plan things to do in the state: From racetracks to bourbon distilleries, Kentucky has many tourist hot spots. The Kentucky Experience, an interactive exhibit during the GamesTM, will let visitors experience the state’s beauty, famous products, and entertainment. For more information about the Kentucky Experience, click here.

To plan places to see, visit kentuckytourism.com.

10. Follow the road to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM: Have your tickets? Booked your ight?

Now stay in the know by becoming a fan of our Facebook page, following us on Twitter, or by reading our blog where top equestrian athletes and 2010 Games contenders let us follow them on their journey to Kentucky!

Tour Operators offer travel planning with Ease Looking for a one-stop solution to your Kentucky travel plans? Visit the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM International web site, with visa and immigration information, as well as a link to accommodations and partner tour operators in 11 countries! www.alltechfeigames.com/ international

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For more information, visit www.alltechfeigames.com