Sport Endurance EVO issue n. 19/2017

N. 19 SPRING SUMMER 2017

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photo by Oreste Testa

MADE in ITALY

Interview with Yves Richardier Ivan: bulgarian endurance pioneer Ciao Simone...

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N. 19 SPRING SUMMER 2017 Quarterly Endurance Riding Lifestyle Magazine Printed on the 10th of July 2017 Next issue 10th of October 2017 Registered in the Court of L’Aquila (IT).

Registration n. 572, February 2nd, 2008

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FEI ENDURANCE FORUM 2017 VIC, BARCELONA (ESP)

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TORDERA: THE SPANISH CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 IN CATALONIA

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YVES RICHARDIER: GODFATHER OF FRENCH ENDURANCE HORSES

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LOVE VITTORITO 2017 IN THE HEART OF ITALY

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SHAGYA CUP - SALCIOARA ROMANIA - THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENDURANCE IN EASTERN EUROPE

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SHUMEN - BULGARIA A COUNTRY OF BEAUTIFUL HORSES AND NICE PEOPLE

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IVAN STOICHEV THE PIONEER OF ENDURANCE RIDING IN BULGARIA

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RUSSIAN CUP: INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF ENDURANCE

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COSTANZA LALISCIA REDOUBLES AT THE ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2017

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Photo Morhaf Al Asaaf Article by FEI internet site

FEI ENDURANCE FORUM 2017 Vic, Barcelona (ESP)

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elfare, education and the future direction of the sport were prominent topics at the FEI Endurance Forum 2017, which took place this week in Vic, Barcelona (ESP). A total of 100 delegates from over 30 countries gathered together at a pivotal time for the discipline of Endurance, which is seeing massive growth year on year across the globe.

Scientific presentations on Endurance risk factors, bone fatigue and risk management set the scene, providing a data-based approach for the Forum’s further discussions on education, rules revisions and the future of the sport. Key topics including horse welfare, speed, athlete education and how the elite level of the sport could look in the future were debated in an open and honest dialogue by representatives from across the Endurance community.

“This growth of the sport is remarkable and brings great opportunities but also presents

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challenges to the global endurance community”, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said in her opening address. “Endurance is clearly appealing and has potential, but as we grow we need to secure the integrity of the sport with correct processes, and maintain the highest standards of horse welfare. We are all here because we want to ensure that Endurance continues to develop and thrive around the world. And we are also here because we want to ensure the very best for our horses, for our athletes and for the greater Endurance community.”

First presented at last month’s FEI Sports Forum 2017, Dr Euan Bennet from the University of Glasgow took delegates through the highlights and main results of the first year and a half of the FEI’s Global Endurance Injuries Study, and Professor Chris Whitton from the University of Melbourne presented data on bone fatigue. Both reiterated the message that speed and non-compliance with mandatory rest periods are the key risk factors,

highlighting that an increase of seven days on the mandatory rest periods established in 2014 could potentially prevent 10% of the failed-to-qualify statistics and that small reductions in speed have large beneficial effects on bone fatigue for the fastest horses. It was unanimously agreed that key to injury reduction is a combination of rules revisions and education for athletes, trainers and all involved in the sport.

Diarmuid Byrne and Sam Watson from equestrian data science company EquiRatings, presented a potential model for an athlete index in Endurance, aimed at identifying those at higher risk of non-completion and following a similar concept to the ERQI model in Eventing.

This was received with interest and generated discussions on data collection in the future to enhance this tool, possible applications to reward positive performance and good horsemanship, and potential application to trainers, and horse/athlete combinations.

EquiRatings founder Sam Watson explained: “It is about changing psychology and attitude.

We need to create awareness and provide a tool that can guide the level of responsible horsemanship and help maintain a standard for the sport around the world.”

The new Endurance Education System for Endurance Officials was presented and received widespread support, with unanimous agreement on the benefit and importance of rewarding excellence and increasing experience. The introduction of job descriptions, promotional courses for top level Officials, horsemanship education for all Endurance Officials, requalification every three years and the introduction of a new 5* level of Officials were all on the agenda.

Wrapping up the first day’s proceedings, FEI Endurance Director Manuel Bandeira de Mello led delegates in discussion around potential rule revisions aimed at improving horse welfare and based on the scientific findings relating to areas such as qualifications, speeds, rest periods and weight regulations.

There was widespread support for the creation of a new 5* level of elite competition, with further consultation needed on what form it will take, and a general consensus that there should be clear and increased qualification criteria for entry to 1* level and for progression onto 4* and 5*, however further work is needed to flesh out proposals for the introduction of completion rates for Championship qualifications.

www.t-trackgps.com Discussions also covered the need for any potential changes to mandatory rest periods to be clearly based on welfare and not as sanctions for speed. The extensive feedback will be discussed by the FEI Endurance Committee as the next step in this rules revision process.

Inspiration for the second day’s discussions on the future of the sport covered everything from event promotion, sponsorship, innovation in promotion, and what the sport could look like in the future, with presentations from across the spectrum of the sport: athlete Valerie Kanavy, Organiser Nick Brooks-Ward from Hpower Group, athlete and trainer Stephane Chazel and Spanish Chef D’Equipe Ignasi Casas.

Athlete education was again central to the debate as discussion turned to how speed relates to the future of the sport. Delegates noted that ultimately this is a sport against the clock, but this cannot be to the detriment of the horse, however as the sport progresses then speeds will get higher with better training, breeding, feeding, riding etc. However all acknowledged that speed contributes to injury, which is not acceptable for horse welfare and has a negative effect on the perception of the sport. Minimum weights and course design were discussed as examples of how to regulate speed but ultimately conversation came back to athlete responsibility and training, a key theme throughout the Forum.

FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez closed the forum with a commitment to continue organising these types of discussion forums for Endurance on a regular basis, commending the “productive and exciting meeting of such a wide group of people, with very diverse views yet working together and allowing each other to speak, with a real community feel for open dialogue.”

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HOW TO AVOID

TRANSPORT

STRESS IN HORSES

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ll horses seem to be stressed by transport, a cause of worry for every rider.

Transport stress has several adverse effects on different apparatus: the nervous system, gastrointestinal system and muscular apparatus.

In order to reduce transport stress it is necessary to act on several fronts. ACME will give you some advice on how to avoid poor athletic performance and bad shape when competing.

First of all you must start preparing your horse before transportation day. If it is a very nervous horse you should first try to calm him down by feeding him with food containing tryptophan like, for example, SEDAMYNE. Tryptophan, helps building proteins and takes part in several chemical reactions... especially in the synthesis of serotonin.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter mainly responsible for mood regulation. A certain accumulation of serotonin in the central nervous system can reduce excitability of the sport horse. The desired effect is not immediate but more generally it manifests after 3 to 5 days of continual use. It is therefore important to organize a treatment plan a few days before transport. This sort of integration reduces anxiety for noises that could be heard during transportation, without

affecting sport performance and keeping the horses calm, lucid and relaxed.

You should always have enough hay during transportation and must absolutely avoid that the horse travels on an empty stomach for too long a time.

Hydrochloric acid is constantly produced, if the stomach is empty the acid corrodes it causing ulcer. It is advisable to use hay or better alfalfa, in order to tampon gastric acidity.

It is not advisable to use cereals during transportation because they foster metabolic acidosis therefore gastric acidity.

In addition to hay, the horse must always have available drinking water. During a long trip or other stressful condition, the horse doesn’t usually drink much and the loss of electrolytes due to transportation can cause strong dehydration that can lead to catastrophic consequences.

When the horse is particularly tired or stressed, he isn’t thirsty, so dehydration cannot be compensated by spontaneous water consumption.

Therefore, it is necessary to stimulate the horse by giving him rehydration solutions. Rehydration solutions are available in powder or oral paste.

ACME has come up with a specific rehydration solution in order to oppose this stressful situa-

ACME Srl - Cavriago (RE) Tel: 0522 941919 tech.info@acmedrugs.com www.acmedrugs.com his muscles. To reduce fatigue and muscle stiffness (due to continue posture change) and in order to improve muscle flexibility and diminish metabolic acidosis, it is advisable to give the horse MUSCOFLEX, a glycine and betaine based product. The elements contained in this supplementary feed fight lactic acid accumulation and neutralize its harmful effects on muscle tissue.

tion: MAX-LYTE. Thanks to the high percentage of electrolytes (50%) and to its oral paste formulation, it guarantees an efficient and prompt rehydration. Furthermore, this product contains additives that protect the stomach, a very important organ for the horse even when it comes to light stress.

The last apparatus that must be protected is the muscular apparatus. The horse travels standing on his hooves without a proper balance. In order to adapt to the van’s or trailer’s movements he must use

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Tordera crowns Paula Muntala Sanchez and Echo Falls

Photo-drone by Albert Arrabal Photos by Sport EVO press and Carlos Puche

7 h 1 s i 0 n 2 a p i p h S s a e n i h o T mpi talon a a h C C in 8

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ordera, a city in the comarca of Maresme, in the province of Barcelona, hosted the Spanish Championship 2017.

The Montnegre Natural Park and the river Tordera greeted a total of 130 horses distributed in the different race categories.

Mr. Juan Rodriguez, the owner of Sport HG and a great passionate of endurance riding has worked hard with his team in order to guarantee a wonderful show to the audience and panticipant binomials. They have brilliantly succeeded in their mission, leaving everybody satisfied. For the first time, curious people with their families showed up just to have a look. Soon they have become familiar with the environment too.

The sumptuous tent of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stood right in front of the vetting area, Meydan chose to support this ride in Catalonia. There were many riders from the UAE running in the Open rides and just as many Europeans competing to conquer a precious prize money.

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his year Tordera’s great innovation was the Track GPS System which enchanted team crews and people from all over the world. The audience could simply follow the ride directly connecting on their smart phones. It was possible to check and follow the performance of a single horse or groups of riders. In brief, for this 2017 edition, technology and sport walked hand in hand in Tordera, always with an eye to safety and experience sharing. The Sheikh himself downloaded the T-Track App on his smartphone and followed the race on the screens that were installed inside his tent.

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The race

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t is useless to go on talking about the different stages of the race, the rankings speak for themselves and ERTZ’s efficient timing system lists the horses’ clinical parameters taken at each loop.

UAE’s M7 Team, owned by Sheikh Mohammed, was among the favourites as well as the Catalans from Juma’s Team, led by the world champions Jaume Puntí and Maria Alvarez.

The members of Juma’s Team won in Tordera’s past editions and are used to being on the podium.

Final rush with the Spanish Champion Paola Muntala Sanchez with Echo Falls

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his year they also conquered the title of World Champions. Unfortunately, Maria Alvarez Ponton fell down while running the last loop, but luckily there were no consequences for her or the horse. She was running a great race and was among the first riders, in any case she’s happy to celebrate the victory of Paola

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Muntala Sanchez, a teammate that conquers the title of Spanish Champion 2017 astride Echo Falls (Tango d’Ayres x Song of Wind).

Silver medal for a very competitive Jordi Arboix Santacreu with Rieden (Shagya11 x Arabe) and bronze medal to Omar Rodrigo Blanco with Tonik de Becherel (Orman de Cardonne x Desna). Tordera also hosted an interesting

CEI2*, witnessing the good performance of two great medalists at the Spanish Championship: silver medalist Paula Muntala Sanchez with Varech du Vrihou (Persicko x Elzara Bleue), and gold medalist Omar Rodrigo Blanco with Vicky du Poncelet (Ulm de Domenjoi x Lily du Diouris). Third podium position for Angel Soy Coll with Urican de la Saulire (Dia

Oua x Seskia). The winner of the CEI2YR was Laura Pina Fernandez with Er Jamag.

Curiosity

The former MotoGP world champion Alex Crivillé Tapias on Blaki was among the participants. He didn’t conclude the race but he surely increased the audience’s interest for the event.

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Silver medal Jordi Arboix Santacreu with Rieden (Shagya11 x Arabe)

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The Spanish Champion Paula Muntala Sanchez declared:

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he ride was really tough. I still can’t believe that I’ve made it....I’m so excited.

I think that this horse 100% deserves this title because he’s simply the best...no doubt!

Thanks to the opportunity given to me by Sport Endurance EVO, I would like to officially thank my team, crew, friends and all those people who believed in me.

As for your question “ how will you celebrate this great victory tonight?”, well... considering that it’s a Saturday, I think I will go to sleep until Monday and continue dreaming of this precious moment. Thank you”.

HH S. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum with Sport Endurance EVo publisher Luca Giannangeli

RESULTS

Bronze medal Omar Rodrigo Blanco with Tonik de Becherel (Orman de Cardonne x Desna)

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Loris Canali with Veinard Secondo, Bronze medal Italian Championship 2017 Photo Chiara Gobbetti

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Who is

r e i d r a h c i R s e Yv French Godfather of

orses

Endurance H

Yves Richardier?

By Sophie Robert-Taymont

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verything started in the Cévennes National Parc when the body took on an equine technical consultant in 1972: The recruitment by competitive examination involved the hiring of Yves Richardier.

He initially had two main tasks: to form a proper cavalry for the park wardens, and to launch environmental projects to improve economic and societal life of the National Park residents.

While working on these tasks, Richardier had the idea to create a breeding area for endurance horses. They would have been tested and selected during a sort of French Tevis Cup: that’s how Florac was born!

The project included the creation of two entities: one concerning the formation of a Breeders Labor Union (foundation of Persikland), and a second one the setting up of Florac’s endurance race. The first presidents of these

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entities were respectively Michel Bordes (a rider and breeder from Nissoulogres) and Christiane Chazel (Arabian breeder and one of the first international endurance riders).

Although at that time, Arabian horses were mainly used for show or speed races, Yves wanted to do justice to this breed and to the original Bedouine horses in fact, for their physical, metabolic and mental qualities, they would have to carry heavy weight, far and fast.

Therefore, Yves selected Persik who started covering mares in 1975 and won Florac’s race (initally 130 km) twice, first in 1975 and then in 1976.

Statistics really proves that Yves Richardier was right because 152 of his 328 descendants have been ranked on CEI2* or CEI3*.

Moreover, these genetic predispositions seem to be handed down by sons and daughters of Persik to their descendants. 37

stallions by Persik Enzahi, Exelsjor, were often perForex, Baj, Zulus, formers (25 of them Dormane, Indian ranked on 2* or 3*) Tawfik, Arzew, Piruet, Abul Beka, and, at the same Indriss, … and his time, they mostly current picks are produced performers (27 of these 37 Persicko, Fadasir, have at least a top Arques Perspex, 3 descendant). No Khadar, Djin Lotois, need to say that Tauqui El Masan, Persik hasn’t stolen Ulm de Domenjoi, his title of «Best enTidjani and Sadedurance Stallion of pers. the World». At the Indian Eskalonik le time, Yves’ personal France in Worldwide Endurance horse breeding center, named Indian Arabians, was formed by only 2 or 3 mares.

Although the French team might no longer The breeder said he couldn’t afford more be the unbeatable one, Yves insists on the horses so he betted on quality rather than fact that France still owns the leadership in quantity. Money was the restricting factor of terms of quality and number of performers its development and led Yves to regretting produced. having sold some mares he believed in and He’s quite confident in the fact that French which later became mothers of winners in horses will keep their ranking considering that other breeding centers.

France has a well-thought-out and structured endurance breeding. Yves said that France Favorite bloodlines has and must keep having very professional Yves Richardier believes that the best mabreeders and knowledgeable judges to spot ternal bloodlines are those used to make the interesting horses during breeding show and Persikland breeding, but also some Austraqualifying races (from 20 to 90 km). lian, Oriental and Spanish lines.

But Yves also believes that Spain could teach He insists on the fact that selection for «maka lot to France and French riders should have ing an endurance horse» has to be done by training periods with Spanish champions like crossing performers.

Jaume Punti Dachs who wins with French or His favorite stallions ever are Persik, Hadban French bloodlined horses most of the time.

Indian Tawfik

Persik ridden at 28 years old for the last time to accompany Famu in his first ride out

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 Gaston Mercier saddle position

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Wishes for a new endurance

Yves Richardier hopes that rules will improve as soon as possible, just like Stéphane Chazel suggested this year.

He thinks that the Bouthieb initiative is a very good concept for horses welfare and he is glad to see that event planners like Christele Derosch follow these actions.

The perfect endurance horse

When asking «how would you describe the perfect endurance horse ?», Yves gets nostalgic and lets his heart reply: «How would you expect me to reply to this question when you know I’ve been riding Persik until he turned 26 years old…».

He can improve though... and declares that in his opinion the perfect endurance horse is Arabian or mostly Arabian, around 1,54 m high.

Its hindquarters must be the longest possible, no too level croup, no goose-rump and reasonably wide. Its back should be very strong to be efficient.

«If hindquarters are as long or longer than the back and loins, buy that horse with your eyes shut» (Bedouin quote). Its feet have to be strong, preferably not too flat but neither built-inwards. Knees, hocks and fetlock joints must be dry and strong. Yves explains that inevitably, as a horse has 4 legs, we shouldn’t expect all of them to be perfect and we should consider their conformation according to the way it moves. A slight deviation can be accepted, it could be a pigeon-toed as long as it starts under fetlocks. And in any case, the most important thing is that all feet land flat.

Its shoulders’ structure must give amplitude to its gallop. On a global view, Yves talks about the quiet strength emanating from the horse, the economy and effciency of its motion, the thinness of its tissues…

Mr. Richardier with Persik

Indian Kativa won Castiglione del Lago 2015

Breeding methodology

Even considering the extensive farming practiced by breeders in the Cévennes limestone plateau, he believes it is important to pay attention to foals and yearlings following proper feeding and care.

Building a champion is not just a matter of chance!

Sham Kaî Khan et Indian Jamik ( Melfik d’Alauze)

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L O VITTORITO 2017 E IN THE HEART OF ITALY HEART IN THE

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he Marrama family was responsible for the event’s organization and supervised the Equestrian Center “I Cavalieri dell’Antera”, once again it reached the goal by registering more than 100 binomials.

140 athletes showed up at the starting line ready to live an exciting experience on the beautiful hills of Vittorito, surrounded by vineyards, olive trees and crossed by the river Aterno/Pescara. This year Vittorito achieved an important result, mainly because the

members of the Italian Federation Endurance Committee hadn’t been nominated yet.

The riders that aimed at being selected for the several 2017 Championships didn’t have a clear idea of how to behave during the ride.

The newly elected president of the Italian Federation, Marco di Paola, the Councilor Di Giuseppe and the President of FISE Abruzzo Rocco de Nicola, kept the spirits up; they all tried to reassure everybody proving to stand by their sides, eager to make a work plan for the 4 years to come.

Photos by Chiara Gobbetti and Oreste Testa www.sportphoto.smugmug.com

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the race

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ust three binomials completed Vittorito’s CEI3*. Unfortunately in the past season, snow and cold weather didn’t allow a proper training for the 160 km ride. Furthermore, considering the static situation of the Italian Federation, many riders decided to run the 120 km ride.

Luca Campagnoni on Kida (OR IBM Halim x Aisha Boscochiaro) was the winner of the 160 km ride and was awarded with the title of best condition, registering an average speed of 16,83 km/h. This binomial was 7th at last year’s H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Festival, Italian Championships 2016.

Second and third podium position for Perrine Campanini with Silmar (unknow) and Giuseppe Ducci with Priscilla dei Mori (Raisuri x Azea).

Adriano Marrama, the Organizer

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1st CEI3* Luca Campagnoni with Kida b.c.

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he stallion Silmar was second at the CEI2* in San Rossore (Ita) in 2016 and won the title of best conditioned horse. He was also second in San Vito al Tagliamento (Ita) CEI2* and CEN B in Provaglio d’Iseo (Ita).

Last year Priscilla dei Mori, grey mare of 2006, concluded her first CEI3* in San Vito al Tagliamento (Ita) at more than 15 km/h av. Speed. Linda Iosa with Nab Shakim (Nablus x Moniah) won the CEI2*, the fastest category, followed by best condition Tara du Barthas (Djin Lotois x Agate) with Carolina Tavassoli Asli and Chiara Baiardelli with Sollum (Kupiec x Vurkan). Last year, 14 year old Nab Shakim, achieved two very important results with two different riders (Fortunato Balzano e Martina Settembre) the CEI2* FEI Meydan Endurance Cup and the 2nd round of Toscana Lifestyle, 2nd and 5th place. Last year, Carolina and Tara stepped twice on the podium. They won the 4th round of the CEI3* Toscana Endurance Lifestyle and the CEI2* in Vittorito. Sollum with Chiara concludes its first 120 km ride after running without any success the World Championship Young Horses 2015 in Valeggio sul Mincio (Ita), ridden by Domenico Terzini.

6 binomials out of 9 concluded the CEI2* YR. A women’s podium with Valentina Galli on Putzu Sole (Caligola x Birba de Lottas) that won the

2nd CEI3* Perrine Campanini with Silmar

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sprint against Vanessa Garau with Alkimia (Astronaut x Almaznaia), third podium position for Costanza Laliscia with Care to Go (Tango d’Ayres x Capstan).

Last year Valentina and Putzu concluded 2 CEI2*, that included the prestigious FEI Meydan Italian Endurance Festival, pre-ride of the World Endurance Championship Young Riders that will be held in September 2017.

Alkimia, had just been eliminated in one of the five toughest races in the world, the H.H. Sh. Mohammed Cup in Dubai, but this time it was rewarded with the title of best condition too.

Last year, Care to Go with Costanza and Carolina, both running in the fuxiateam Italia Endurance, conquered two podium positions, of these a victory; 1st place at the 2 day CEI3* in Travagliato (Ita) and 3rd place in the CEI2* Sardinia Endurance Cup. To conclude, the winner of the CEI1* was Valentina Vezzoli with Sultano by Libia (Sultan Alexander x Libia) that conquered the title of best condition too. This young stallion of 2011 had never been eliminated before and this was his first CEI1* in Vittorito.

At the end of the ride Gianfelice d’Agostino, one of the organizers, wished to thank the participants of this ride in Vittorito and welcomed all to next year’s event.

3rd CEI3* Giuseppe Ducci with Priscilla dei Mori

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RANKING 28

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1st CEI2* Linda Josa with Nab Shakim

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Shagya Cup Salcioara – Romania The development of endurance in Eastern Europe

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ast 3rd of June, the endurance ride that was held in Salcioara (Romania) launched an important signal to the world with its 55 starters.

20 binomials ran the FEI international rides while the remaining ones participated in the regional ones.

Many binomials came from nearby countries while others came from furthest countries like England.

At the end of the ride Viorel Dabija shared

Photo Press office Shagya Cup

his great satisfaction and joy with Sport EVO, declaring: “it is the very first time that Romania reaches such a high number of starters in an endurance ride. I believe in this sport very much and I’m sure that my country owns all it needs to show its potential to the world. We have good horses and knowledge with a powerful sponsor’s support we could definitely make a quality leap.

I don’t want to move too quickly, quality needs time in order to develop.

The Balcan Games 2017, is the next event we are taking care of, I’m sure this will give an important signal to world endurance.

This event is for Balcan countries only, but the Open ride that will take place the following day is for all world riders who wish to get to know our country.

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The Organizer Viorel Dabija

View general and regional rankings on the following link:

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alcioara, the venue of the event, is located South of Romania, it is usually rainy during the ride in June too but not heavy rain. The ground and the track easily drain water making horses and riders feel safe and comfortable.

Romania gifted us with a happy and welcoming atmosphere enriched by healthy sports attitude a pure and ancient endurance style that maybe we could all look back to.

THE RIDE The event included two FEI categories over a 120 and 90 km distance. Hungary conquered both of them and its flag stood on the highest podium steps.

Denis Furlanski astride Pompei won the CEI2* at an average speed of 17,20 km/h. Behind him Nikolay Nikolov on Moz from Bulgaria.

Third place for Barbara Promberger with Amirat bint Takko from Romania that also won the ambitious title of best condition.

A bulgarian CEI1* won by Rumen Boyanov with Pedant (Av. speed 16,15 km/h).

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For further information visit www.anicahorse.org

15th - 17th September 2017 Rome (Ita) - Capannelle Racecourse

Italian National Championships ENDURANCE - RACING - SHOW - WESTERN DRESSAGE COMPETITION Italian National Association for the Arabian horse

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he ANICA was founded in Rome on the 12th of November 1979. The Association was approved by the W.A.H.O. (World Arabian Horse Organization) in 1982, exactly when the first volume of the Purebred Arabian Stud Book was published in Italy.

The A.N.I.C.A. is the only institution in Italy responsible for the Italian Purebred Arabian stud book. It is authorized by the WAHO and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forest-

Info: www.anicahorse.org Tel. +39 (0) 521 805250 ry policies and recognized at international level. Since it was founded, the A.N.I.C.A. has published 12 volumes of the Stud Book, containing 16.000 Purebred Arabians regularly registered with A.N.I.C.A. Each horse has its personal data, a 5 generation genealogy and production in Italy.

A.N.I.C.A.’s board of Directors led by Francesco Santoro, comprises five members. Annalisa Landucci is the member responsible for flat racing.

1st place Saleh al Balushi with Dalila de Fontanel

CEI2* 120 km.

UzĂŠs (Fra) 29 April 2017

The Royal Cavalry of the Sultanate of Oman and Sport EVO

2nd place Faisal Al Farsi with Un Dia

Photo by Barbara Miller

FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENDURANCE RIDING

Simone Fantoni

SIMONE FANTONI

passed away, leaving this earthly world

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n a beautiful spring day, Simone Fantoni, who had followed his father Fabrizio’s footsteps, passed away. Simone could be defined as an actor son because he dedicated his life to the horses that his father Fabrizio and Patrizia (Fabrizio’s girlfriend) loved so much and to his great passion for cinema.

In a way he was an artist...a wondeful and sensitive one. Cinema was his great passion...a passion he expressed through a beautiful writing style. He was indeed a film critic gifted with an incredible eye for detail.

He was interested in several genres including equestrian films.

In January 2014 he started a long and constant cooperation with our printed magazine Sport Endurance Evo and signed many articles, starting from the very first issues.

His film section dedicated to the horse actor became very popular especially for those readers who go beyond the photograph, who always look for content...those readers that make the experience of reading an opportunity of self-development.

Simone and I often spoke on the phone, he kept apologizing for the delay in sending me the articles and I was there reminding him it didn’t matter because there was time...

As the idiom says...the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree: he was polite, insightful and sensitive just like his dad.

Doctor Fabrizio Fantoni, is a real horse passionate, he used to be a vet of the Italian Equestrian

Federation (FISE) and for years fought against his son’s cancer. He did all he could to keep him in this world but the struggle was unequal.

Don’t worry Fabrizio...life is just a brief trip and soon we will all be together again.

This is what I would like to believe...

When I received Fabrizio’s call about the sad news I was on my way to Vittorito, to attend the international ride.

I suddenly stopped the car and didn’t know what to do: proceed or go back home? My heart was sorrowful.

I thought about Simone’s articles where the actor horse always wins, in life or at war. Then I took a long breath and with eyes bright with tears, I decided to go on.

Thank you dear Simone...Fabrizio hold on and remember that your son will always be with you...as you ride, as you work...always there.

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don’t usually write the articles of the magazine I publish and direct, but just this once I wished to tell the experience of this first trip to Bulgaria myself.

This country appeared to me like an endless green meadow that gently descends into the Black Sea. Shumen, the tenth largest city of Bulgaria, was our final destination. The city, in the North East, hosted an endurance ride and an Arabian and Shagya horse show.

My friend and photographer Oreste Testa and I plunged into a new, simple and inviting country.

The transition from the old Soviet Bloc to the modern system is often very evident... nobody can really tell which is better.

Text by Luca Giannangeli Photos by Oreste Testa

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raditional houses and old cars coexist with luxurious modern cars and eco-friendly houses. Shumen is known for its Founders of the Bulgarian State Monument or Monument to 1300 Years of Bulgaria. It depicts the country’s most significant events from the 7th till the 10th century and it is composed by 8 concrete blocks.

The external surface is decorated with 21 sculptures and a 500 square meters mosaic.

The monument offers a wonderful view of the whole city and it is usually the meeting point for group tours to the plateau.

The Medieval fortress of Shumen rises in the plateau, it was destroyed in the past but partly rebuilt in the twentieth century.

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nother interesting tourist attraction is the Madara Rider located 15 km from Shumen, near the village of Madara. It is a marvelous carving into a 100 m high cliff, representing a knight triumphing over a lion.

Two of Bulgaria’s ancient capitals, Pliska and Preslav rise nearby.

I n Shumen we are greeted by very special people of Bulgaria’s Equestrian Federation: the Vice President Dr. Kroum Rachkov, the Secretary General Teodor Sheytanov, our friend and organizer of this perfect trip Janina Ivanova, vets, judges and most of all the number one of Bulgaria’s endurance world, Mr. Ivan Stoichev, the owner of the Bucefal Endurance Stable.

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The ride In the early afternoon we reached an amazing place near the stables, it is exactly where the vet checks of the following day’s FEI rides took place.

At 6 p.m. we attended a beautiful show of Shagya horses, brood mares, stallions and foals. The atmosphere was magical... slow rhythms and a shining sun till 9 o’ clock.

The next day started with FEI’s 120 and 90 km rides followed by regional races.

Although the number of participants wasn’t very high what really counts is that most riders were running to get a qualification for Bruxelles’ next European Championships. We felt this country’s strong desire for development and will to compete against other world nations.

I’m sure that this country will reach this goal, it owns all it needs in order to make a qualitative leap. It has got passion and ancient horse tradition.

In the race day, between the loops, they took us for a visit to the state breeding center. It was amazing to admire 400 mares with their foals following a cowboy astride a Purebred Arabian.

The racetrack was absolutely perfect: flat, hilly at times, great ground, lakes and beautiful landscapes... this is Bulgaria.

Definitely a bit far to reach but a special breeding place for your horses, the right location where you could qualify some that you have just bought and perhaps left here to improve and grow healthy, fed with fresh green grass and real hay.

Before saying farewell we must mention the podium of the 120 km ride: 1st Miroslav BORSHOSH (Bul) with NAZEER 16,3 km/h av. speed 2nd Ruzha NEDKOVA-IVANOVA (Bul) with ZEMLIANKA 16,0 km/h av. speed 3rd Rumen BOYANOV (Bul) with TANZANIA 15,2 km/h av. speed

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Who is Ivan Stoichev?

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van Stoichev can be considered as a pioneer of endurance in Bulgaria. He started to practice this equestrian discipline 15 years ago.

Ivan is a placid and calm man with precise objectives: improve endurance in his country and bring it to high levels. He himself competes and carries his country’s flag around the world.

He decided not to use smartphones, internet, facebook and all that today’s technology offers. He owns a very old mobile phone that keeps ringing continuously.

Ivan declared: “I’ve got two choices, one is to work hard to create something real, the other is to look at what people do and publish on

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facebook...I definitely prefer to work”.

His general headquarter is the Bucefal Endurance Stable, a charming location made with attention to the smallest details. It is located right in front of Ivan’s house from where he keeps a watchful eye on his horses.

Ivan Stoichev the pioneer of endurance riding in bulgaria Special thanks to Mr. Teodor Sheytanov, Secretary General of the Bulgarian Equestrian Federation, for his precious assistance

Photo by Oreste Testa Text by Luca Giannangeli

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he name of his stable derives from Bucephalus, the horse of Alexander the Great; according to many historians, his breeding was that of the best Thessalian strain, Thessaly was a region of Ancient Greece from where the centaurs came from. Some theories believe he was an example of today’s Akhal-Teke.

Ivan’s main job has nothing to do with horses but bread. He exports this noble ingredient in his entire country every day. We have tasted it...it is delicious!

The horse hobby in this country is slowly becoming a business because its horses and rare features are highly requested both in Europe and in Arab countries.

When he was a young boy he dreamt of working with horses and breeding, finally his dream came true when in 1996 he bought his first horse, a purebred Arabian gelding.

He decided to carry on his grandfather and great-grandfather’s tradition and today he has 50 horses that he daily personally takes care of.

Step by step, he developed a wonderful breeding center where he breeds and trains endurance horses.

Between 2007 and 2008 he began to attend endurance rides in Europe and spoke with many people, trying to understand and to figure out useful information to bring back home and to apply the concepts he shared.

He also started to import semen from France, the semen of stallions derived from Persik, Persiko or, for example, Dorman or Sau de Pers, crossing it with local mares that had a Russian or Polish pedegree.

At present, these products are giving good results in endurance and look promising.

In this beautiful green country, we have noticed many Arabians and just as many Shagya that often have 75% pure Arabian blood.

Ivan also imports semen from Australia to cross with local mares and the perspective seems just as positive.

Many European and non European people that are fond of endurance wish to get to know Bulgaria’s horse market but today it is still very difficult to get in touch with the State and with the direct breeders.

Thanks to the newborn relationship, Sport Endurance EVO is trying to demolish some barriers inherited from the Soviet Bloc and wishes to support Bulgaria’s entrance in the world.

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van and I spoke about the situation of world endurance...we asked him what was his opinion regarding the debate that has been going on about speed and violence against animals when the average speeds are too high.

Ivan calmly replied that there are two different types of endurance: real endurance is practiced in Europe and racing in the Arab countries.

He loves both of them but in his opinion reducing speed is not a good solution. To level

speed would cancel the spirit of competition.

A good idea would be to reduce recovery time of 10 minutes and lower the beats to 56 or 60.

When we said goodbye it was dark outside, we hopped on a military jeep with the photographer of Sport Endurance Evo and Teodor, a very kind and helpful person. We made a tour of the paddocks and said farewell to the newly born horses that were running freely over limitless grass meadows.

Thank you Ivan and congratulations on your choices...

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Endurance, the equestrian marathon

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hile endurance riding is certainly growing in popularity, the sport is also regularly the target of criticism because it is so challenging for the horses. At the end of May, the FEI organised a forum to discuss welfare aspects and the future direction of the sport. Cavalor visited Marijke Visser and Joyce van den Berg, two young women at the peak of performance in endurance riding. They gave us an insider’s view of the sport.

Marijke Visser and Joyce Van den Berg have a lot in common: they are both young women, both at the top of their game in endurance sport and they both represent the same stable. And, last but not least, they are both Cavalor ambassadors. In other words, in an ideal position to tell us more about endurance, the equestrian marathon. They guide us through the proceedings in the week of an event.

Before a competition you have to load the trailer and prepare for the event. No easy task!

Visser: No, it certainly isn’t. If we are competing internationally we have to leave a week before the event.

It’s a difficult balance: we try to keep the time away from home as brief as possible, but the horses must have a chance to recover from travelling once we arrive of course. And we have to take along a lot of gear, so loading the trailer before we leave takes a whole day.

Van den Berg: You could say we take everything but the kitchen sink! And it all has to be clean, so everything often has to be washed the day before.’

What goes into the trailer?

Visser: ‘That all depends on how many horses and the number of loops in the competition. We need all the basic tack: saddle, bridle, boots and wraps for the horse and saddle pads. We use clean equipment for each loop, each phase, so on occasion we may have to take along four sets of everything. We always have feed bins filled with water from Cavalor with us, usually about six, to cool and refresh the horses. And a mountain of buckets, and brushes. A First Aid kit is also crucial, just like blankets in bad weather. Sometimes we have to load the trailer in a very specific order, otherwise all our equipment won’t fit in. And the boxes specially for the competition stayed closed until just before the start, otherwise it’s chaos.’

What do you do on arrival?

Visser: ‘We always try to leave very early to avoid getting stuck in traffic and we prefer to travel without a stop. If we have to travel a really long distance and are on the road for a long time we do stop to let the horses out to stretch their legs. But we never do that with horses that are difficult to load (laughing). We make

‘The first round is survival, the second is literally endurance and the third is against the clock’

sure we arrive at our destination at least a day before the competition. On arrival we let the horses relax: give them a chance to graze, do some light walking, and enjoy some fresh hay. It’s important to get them into a super relaxed mood again. Then we plait the horses and they are usually inspected by the vet the day before competing. Sometimes we take a look at the start of the course and then feed the horses: some of them are given a calming feed, others are given electrolytes, depending on the competition and the individual animal.’

Are you nervous before a competition?

Visser:’ I wouldn’t describe it as nerves, it more anticipation and ‘I can’t wait to get started’. The adrenaline rush usually makes me a little over-enthusiastic!

I have usually already gone through the course in my head. The only thing that worries me is forgetting to hear my alarm go off in the morning (laughing)’.

So what does the day of a competition look like?

Visser: ‘The start is always very early in the morning.’

Van den Berg: ‘Often round about 6 am, in fact we sometimes have to start in the dark.’

Visser: ‘We make sure the horses are ready two hours before the start. That gives them time to still eat some hay or feed. Half an hour before the competition starts, we mount the horses and walk them as a warm-up. In a calm and relaxing way. Sometimes we might do a gentle trot or canter to stretch their legs, but nothing too strenuous. The grooms get all the tack and equipment ready: we generally work with a team of four or five. I am always present when the horses are saddled up. Then the horse is cooled down again before it’s time for the off.’

Van den Berg: ‘I have three regular members in my team. My parents are a permanent part of my support group and friends often come along too.’

How do you go about a competition? Do you use certain tactics?

Visser: ‘With endurance riding it all comes down to simply surviving the first loop: all the horses are in top condition and you must be able to keep calm amidst all the bustle around you. The starting field numbers about 30 or 40 combinations on average, at big events that can be more than 100. You have to know your horse inside out, so you know what to expect. It’s always great to compete with an experienced horse that doesn’t get nervy because of all the excitement going on. Keeping the horse under control is crucial.’

Van den Berg: ‘That’s right, you have to avoid wasting any energy in the early stages. If you don’t pace it right during the first loop, you risk exhaustion later on in the competition. Half of the horses and riders that start fail to make the finish.

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ou have to try and keep to the front without allowing your horse to expand too much energy.’

Visser: ‘I always say: the first loop is survival, the second is literally endurance and the third is against the clock. The first loop is usually the longest, about 40 kilometres. In the final phase you try to get the maximum achievable performance from your horse. But the precise strategy depends on the horse and your training programme.’

Van den Berg: ‘Whether you pick up the pace in the second loop usually depends on your horse. It’s a matter of constantly weighing up all the factors: how well is the horse recovering? Can I push him faster? My favourite competition strategy is to take it easier in the beginning and ride faster as the competition progresses. Gradually building up speed.’

Visser : ‘I agree. It’s key to make sure your horse conserves enough energy to pass others later on and that your horse is happy. So no ears pinned back and heads down. Experienced horses know they have to pace themselves. Horses new to endurance are sometimes too eager. And they can get fed up with the competition halfway though sometimes, you can almost hear them thinking: ‘what, around again?’ (laughing)’ What is crucial to winning an endurance event?

Visser: The heart. The heart rate is checked after each loop of the competition: the horse comes into the cooling down zone at the vet gate, the saddle is removed and water thrown over the horse. It’s body temperature should fall and the heart rate drop to 64. The time clock keeps ticking until you see the vet. You have to present your horse for inspection by the vet as quickly as possible. Compare it to the pit stops in Formula 1 racing. (laughing). A horse that needs a lengthy recovery period can cost you a lot of time. In fact, you sometimes see that the tenth team to arrive leaves the line first because the horse recovers faster. You can jump up a lot of places at this point. It can be good tactically to go easy on your horse so it recovers faster.’ Van den Berg: ‘It’s vital that your team works as a well-oiled machine. I already loosen the breastcollar before I arrive. I dismount immediately so the groom can take the horse. I undo the girth, someone else takes off the saddle, and another groom takes care of the horse’s legs and attaches the heart rate meter. We cool the horse’s neck with buckets of water and sponge down the hind legs with cold water. Time is money, you see. Sometimes you can present to the vet in one minute, sometimes after two minutes. If your horse is stressed, it might take a little longer, but the whole process has to be really quick.’

Visser: ‘These ‘pit stops’ are amazing if the whole teams works as one. Team work is where you can win or lose a competition according to me. Sometimes you take the risk and present to the vet before the heart rate has dropped to 64 and just hope it will reach the right rate before you arrive. If you fail on the heart rate test the first time, you have another chance to re-present, but you have to go back to your place first. In that case, you’ve already lost.’

Van den Berg: ‘Some riders decide to withdraw their horse between loops because they have already realised they won’t make the grade. If you ask me what’s the most crucial time during a competition, I would say the decision always comes in the final loop. You still have to be fit enough at this stage. You have to pace all phases of the competition well. It’s a very tactical sports. You constantly have to analyse your position in the field. How far behind or in front are my main competitors? What would it take to catch up with the frontrunner?

There’s a lot of parameters in play that decide whether you’ll be able to compete for the top spot in the last round.

How does your horse recover between the loops?

Visser: ‘After the inspection by the vet, you and your horse have a hold time of 40 minutes before the horse can start again and the clock starts ticking. We use this time to feed the horse, as it’s important to replenish the energy levels. We have ten different feeds with us, so the horse can choose.

We even lay it out like a buffet! But sometimes the horse fancies something not on the menu – like a mouthful of hay from the neighbours. (laughing). We look after its legs and cool the horse down with ice water. We thoroughly groom the horse: there mustn’t be any traces of sand or soil between its haunches. A farrier is always on call at endurance rides.

Hard surfaces can wear the shoes. We check the shoes first thing after the vet inspection. If you have to replace a shoe

it will take up almost the entire 40 minutes. And of course you’d rather not have the farrier busy with your horse when it should be calming down, but good shoes are vital.

Van den Berg: ‘There are various options for feed. The horse eats whatever he likes at that moment, so it’s important to have all kind of feeds available. It goes without saying that water has to be available at all times. During a competition, I always give my horses supplements like An Energy Boost from Cavalor and Cavalor Freebute’.

Which Cavalor feeds are your standard choices?

Van den Berg: ‘My favourites are Cavalor Endurix, Cavalor Perfomix and Cavalor Fiberforce. The precise formulation given depends on the individual horse.’

Visser: ‘It’s important that endurance horses eat well when they are resting in between loops in a competition. The strenuous effort of competing can weaken their appetite, so we offer a whole range of feed. We also sometimes give them pure oats or barley. That’s sometimes all they want to eat’

Endurix & OilMega

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Is endurance more a mental or a physical challenge for you?

Visser: ‘Endurance might seem to be physically challenging, but it’s not as tough as it looks. Of course, you have to cover a long distance, but after all that’s what we train for. And if you have a good horse, you know what you are capable of. But, I’m sometimes totally drained mentally afterwards. You have to be focussed the whole day long. Some riders still have the energy to party after a competition, but not me. After a race I feel completely exhausted and all I want to do is enjoy a quiet moment with my horse. Look after it, let the horse graze, get the feed ready. And preferably not with too many other people around. Then I take a shower and that’s the end of the day for me. I can only start smiling again after a good night’s sleep….. (laughing)’ Van den Berg: ‘I feel a real energy boost after a good competition.

You are physically working hard the whole day and constantly focussing, thinking, making split second decisions.... I can really enjoy literally slackening the reins after the race.’

Ladies, thank you very much and good luck!

av al

Competing is incredibly hard work. Do you have time to enjoy it?

Van den Berg: ‘Enjoy? During a competition I hardly notice what is going on around me. I have to fully focus on my horse, think about the decisions I have to take and be constantly alert to the ground beneath my horse’s hooves. You have to be aware of every rock and stone to make sure they avoid these obstacles.’

Visser: ‘Endurance competitions are sometimes organised in the most beautiful locations. But during the event, my focus is entirely on riding my own race. I can occasionally enjoy the surroundings the day before the competition, but on the actual day it all fades into the background. I don’t pay any attention to the surroundings. I forget to even look around.’

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How are the results calculated?

Visser: ‘A competition usually comprises three loops. The clock stops after you have completed the third loop. Then you have to present your horse to the vet with a heart rate below 64 within 30 minutes. The horse must not show any signs of lameness. Even if you cross the finishing line first, you have to curb your enthusiasm because you know the horse still has to see the vet and pass the inspection. The winner only becomes clear in the evening.’

And finally, how do you both see the future?

Visser: ‘I’m still fully active in the sport, but am shifting my focus to helping others. At the same level of performance, but in a different role. I train horses, but not for myself to ride. Although I still hope to qualify to compete in the future. Things are on hold at the moment. The pressure is off this season.

We were in Dubai last winter. I alternate between Europe and Dubai: when the endurance season has finished there, I come back here. If I had to pick a favourite between Europe and Dubai? I would choose Europe. The competitions here are really good, but also with a high technical level of difficulty. Endurance in the desert is also appealing. Being able to switch is really great.’

Van den Berg: ‘I still have my own horses and I really enjoy the sport, especially training young horses. My parents are a huge help in that respect. I trained one of my horses, now competing internationally, myself. I certainly would like to do more training and aspire to championship level. He has a sound heart, recovers well, is keen and learns quickly. He could just well have a golden future ahead.’

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Do you wear earpieces, like professional cyclists, to know how other competitors are getting on?

Visser: ‘I don’t personally, but some riders do. If I want to know where the other riders are or the status of their horses, I ask my grooms along the course. Along a distance of 40 km there are often three or four points where they can stand and wait.’

Van den Berg: ‘I don’t use earpieces either. I rely on my grooms to keep a close eye on the race.’

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t’s early Sunday morning and the road to the famous Tersk stud is unusually empty.

Passionates of endurance riding have already arrived.

The competition starts at 6 a.m., riders must register and get ready for the start. Unexpectedly, endurance is not very popular among

Russian mass media as this sport is being promoted very actively nowadays. Each year more and more endurance competitions are being organized and more and more endurance riders participate.

Few people are aware of the fact that endurance in Russia was popular long ago.

Tersk stud, may 27-28, 2017 Tersk stud founded a separate endurance training department for testing Tersk Arabians

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he Russian cavalry was the first to issue official regulations and established a veterinary control. Endurance competition was considered part of training for a cavalry horse in Russia in addition to horse trial training. The next day after covering a 100 km distance, the horse was checked and then ran a race, showing vigor and soundness. It is rather cold outside and this May seems to be a rainy and chilly one.

Luckily, endurance riders aren’t afraid of nasty weather and are ready to start. On the field one can witness quite a sight.

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One of the most important CEI 3* endurance competitions has started, it’s the Russian Cup 2017. It is the first time that the worldwide famous Tersk stud hosts such an important international endurance event.

Tersk stud Tersk stud is very famous among world horse breeders. It was founded in 1889 by Count Ser-

gei Stroganov at the foot of Mountain Zmeika.

The 2 stallions and 9 mares that Stroganov bought during a trip to Syria and the north Arabian desert in 1888 were to serve as the initial stock for breeding. The Count was an experienced horse breeder and the moment he saw the valley, surrounded by five mountains, he knew this was a perfect place to breed purebred Arabian horses. The mountain-forest climate similar to the climate of the middle Alps, sprinkling mineral water springs and extensive hilly pastures 500 meters above sea level attracted Count Stroganov’s attention.

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uring its 128-year old history, the stud has been producing a whole galaxy of outstanding horses.

Drug, Menes, Persik, Pesniar, Sambist and Balaton are just some of them.

Since the day of its foundation, Tersk stud has been promoting races and shows in the South of Russia. Endurance riding achieved worldwide popularity, attracted the Management of Tersk stud and they founded a separate training department for testing Tersk Arabians.

Since 2013, Tersk stud is one of the leading host of international competitions in the North Caucasus.

During these years, several major international competitions took place here and horsemen from different regions of Russia, as well as from Asia and Europe participated in several rides.

Officials, athletes and spectators like to attend competitions in Tersk stud, because they include entertainment, a fair, and an ECAHO D show dedicated to Arab horses “Rising Star of Tersk�, furthermore an auction of Arab horses is held the day before the ride.

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The Ride Today the action takes place on a field, covered with fresh and green but already a bit trampled down grass. Ruslan Gekiev, a famous rider, is getting ready for the start. He is about to cover a 160 km distance.

He looks relaxed, friendly and keen to talk.

- The track is long and complicated but at the same time very interesting and picturesque.

The competition suits all kinds of riders: there’s a 40 km distance for novices and a 160 km for experienced riders. The distance is split into several legs. Between them riders and horses take a rest and horses are checked by the vets who are the most important characters here. It is them who decide whether a horse will continue the race or not.

This year the Best Condition title was given to the Straight Russian Arabian mare Agnia Tersk.

59 riders from all over Russia and post-Soviet republics have come to participate in the

competition. The most popular distance this year was the 80 km ride. More than 30 riders decided to run it.

All the riders had to face a complicated (because of a long spell of heavy rain) but interesting track accross the most beautiful places of the natural reserve. It is a natural habitat of wild deer, roe deer, wild boars and partridges.

Hunting in the reserve is prohibited, that’s why animals are not afraid of people and graze peacefully as horses ride along. The chief referee, internationally certified judge Denis Chirkovskiy, also comments on how picturesque and complicated the track is. Elevation changes make the track even more interesting.

Results Just one participant covered a distance of 160 km, it is Ruslan Gekiev who ran at 12,07 km/h As far as the CEIYJ 2* 122,7 km ride is concerned the junior winner is Shulaeva Marina

on Elbrus at an average speed of 15,54 km/h Junior second podium position for Batishcheva Ksenia on Nemo 12,27 km/h The senior winner is Pankova Daria on Consul at a speed of 14,15 km/h Senior second podium position is Nikolaeva Alisa on Sarmat at a speed of 12,35 km/h Results of the CEI 1* 82,7 km: 1st place Bugaeva Olesya on Pogar (19,27 km/h) 2nd place Kalov Mukhamed on Elbrus (19,27 km/h) 3rd place Shokarov Aslan on Achilles at a speed of 17,58 km/h To conclude Olesya Bugaeva from Kabardino-Balkaria and the purebred Arabian mare Agnia Tersk were awarded with the title of Best Condition by Tersk stud.

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Lucia

junior

Supekova

«To me the word “endurance” means freedom, speed and, last but not least, team spirit»

On 30th April 2017 she was 1° in the FEI Young Riders Endurance Ranking Let ´s get to know Lucia better...

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am 17 years old and I have been a sportswoman since I was born. When I was a little girl I began with downhill skiing because my father was a professional downhill skier.

Later I got into athletics, but I stopped when I was fifteen, because it was impossible to practice two sports at top level. When I turned eight, my sister Michaela and I started practicing endurance riding, and in addition to that we spent hours in the gym with our personal trainer Tomas Tschur and with the physiotherapist.

I ride for the JK Napoli team in Šamorín, at x-bionic sphere beautiful sports center. My trainer is Mario Hoffmann.

My favourite horse and biggest love is Bwuagadugo - a twelve year old gelding... the one I won the race in Sweden with in 2015. We have successfully completed the President of the U.A.E. Cup in Abu Dhabi in spring 2016 and also won the Slovak Junior Championship in autumn last year.

When and why did you start riding? Just a family passion or something more?

Everything started when my dad went hunting to Kirgichstan where he was supposed to spend a couple of weeks on a horse and had to learn how to ride. When he came back home, he decided to buy the horse that he rode during those two weeks. Considering that he didn´t have much time, my mum started to ride him and then we joined too.

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Our first horse (Balkan: CH-M-YJ-E 120 Babolna-HUN 2009, WEG-E Lexington-USA 2010, CH-M-E Euston Park-GBR 2012, CH-EU-E 160 Most 2013, WEG-E Caen-FRA 2014) was stabled in an endurance stable. Endurance was so enchanting for all of us that we decided to dedicate all our time and energy to this sport.

Endurance has become a family passion and our lifestyle.

What do you like the best about competing in endurance rides?

Endurance to me is freedom, speed and, last but not least, team spirit, love for horses and adrenaline. This sport fulfills me and it gives me everything I need.

When I’m on the track I experience all kind of possible emotions: joy, sadness, happiness, fear for the horse, laughter, despair, tears...

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ll these feelings are worth the success, a kind of success that equates all the effort that lies behind it. I fell in love with this sport because of the unpredictable feelings it causes within you.

In your opinion what does the horse think about when competing?

This is very individual... I believe every horse thinks about something different, probably

some of my horses think about running faster to win, others just enjoy the feeling of being in nature or maybe think about food. It is exactly what happens with people, everybody thinks about something, but after years of practice I realized that it would be much better to “switch off” your mind and just focus on the ride. Endurance is mainly based on the head, the rider’s and the horse’s head. Although it is not easy, I believe that a positive way of thinking is always at the basis of success.

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COPPINI

a 13.000 km

T

James

Camilla

Sonja

Caterina

FAMILY

he Coppini family consists of 4 members: James, the father, Sonja, the mother and two daughters, Caterina and Camilla.

If we sum up all the kilometers ridden by the family members in their sports career, during official races, we reach an amazing result: a total of 13.000 km.

Endurance riding is one of the toughest equestrian disciplines in the world.

Passion for horses is put to the test day after day; in fact, the meaning of Endurance is ability to last.

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Endurance riding recalls American pony express that ran for days in all kind of weather conditions to reach the destination where they had to deliver an often vitally important load.

Horses are no longer used for the transportation of important loads but, in a way, they continue to gift us with life because they connect man to nature. Definitely a precious gift if we observe today’s society’s self-destructive addiction to faster living.

In the last 10 years, James Coppini and his staff have brought back the myth of the pony express on the banks of the river Garda, gifting everybody with unforgettable moments.

The President of Garda Endurance, who is also the Event Director of the Italia Endurance Festival, has involved his entire family in the amazing world of endurance riding and the above mentioned 13.000 km say it all!

As we are writing, Camilla Coppini has already run 69 races and won 5 rides. In 2016 she won gold medal at the Italian Championship under 21 and Team silver medal at the European Championship under 21 in Portugal.

The relationship between the number of km run and the number of km referring to completed rides shows an amazing result.

A 75% is the symbol of Camilla’s respect for the horse.

James Coppini’s unconditional love for endurance led him to run his own rides but also to pass on his experience and use his name in the organization of important high level events.

The Italia Endurance Festival was born a few years ago, an absolutely winning format capable of turning the spotlight on Verona and its province, attracting people from all over the world.

Two Sheikhs from the UAE have alternately supported the lucky Scaliger events: His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, minister of presidential affairs and member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Emir (Ruler) of Dubai, he can’t be considered among the richest people in the world because he’s a ruler, but it is said he owns a patrimony of 16 billion dollars.

Both Sheikhs, who are passionate endurance riders, decided to support the events in Veneto, appreciating the beauty of the location, in terms of art and nature. From 2012, Italia Endurance Festival has increased the number of international events of high technical level.

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VALEGGIO SUL MINCIO, VERONA, ITALY

September 23rd FEI Meydan World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors - Italy 2017

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I

n order to tell the exact story of the Italia Endurance Festival we have to go back to 2012 when the Italian Championships were held in Parco SigurtĂ that in 2015 was nominated the second most beautiful park of Europe by the European Garden Award.

Since then, in chronological order, Valeggio sul Mincio hosted the World Championships for Young Horses (2013), the European Championship Juniors & Young Riders (2014), the World Championships Young Horses (2015) and the World Championship Juniors & Young Riders (2017).

Once again, on the 23rd of September, the FEI will be flanked by Meydan.

The word Meydan means confluence or meeting point; this forward -looking concept was conceived by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

His idea was not to create a sort of endurance/ flat racing sanctuary but a place for cultural and economic exchange, a meeting point for sport, nature and economy.

Camilla

Caterina

James Coppini, is by now synonymous of sport and endurance, he turned Valeggio sul Mincio into a location of gatherings, business and healthy sport.

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esterday, at the end of the Absolute Senior Italian Championship 2017 in San Vito al Tagliamento, a law known as “Costanza bis” was issued.

While Rome was celebrating Republic’s Day, Costanza Laliscia was waving the Italian flag in San Vito al Tagliamento to celebrate her title of Italian Champion for the second consecutive year. Actually, this rider from the Italian region of Umbria has been on the highest step of the

podium of an Absolute Championship for four times. In 2014 and 2015 she was the number 1 of the Italian Championship for young riders... all these first places make you loose track of her successes.

Rok, (Karmah x Rose Aboud) has really amazed everyone in Friuli; a tough race day due to very hot weather and high humidity levels but he has made it... he ran a perfect ride and realized a magnificent painting for his

Costanza Laliscia

redoubles at the Italian Championship 2017 SAN VITO AL TAGLIAMENTO (ITA)

Photos by Chiara Gobbetti and Oreste Testa www.sportphoto.smugmug.com 70

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lady rider, he also succeeded in earning a best condition cockade. Costanza’s performance in this 160 km ride was impeccable, she saved her horse’s energy in the first two legs of the ride but during the last loop she performed a come back with an explosion of energy.

Costanza conquered the second title of Italian Champion, galloping for more than 8 minutes in the last loop and concluding with a final rush against a very competitive Camilla Malta.

Loris Canali doesn’t deserve a simple applause but a bow, he’s a rider from Trentino with a great passion for this sport and a strong temperament. Loris and a strong Veinard Secondo (Veinard al Maury x Ukimba) led the ride alone from the very beginning, not a companion nor a hare to pursue...nothing, just him and his horse. It is not easy to run 160 km alone, you have to be mentally strong and own a great heart in order to go on.

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he live GPS T-Track system shows that at the last loop, Costanza, Camilla and Campanini were approaching Loris who decided to leave room to the three dynamic young lady riders towards the finish line.

Speaking of youth, let’s mention Camilla Malta... a mild-mannered girl with a sweet face, supported by a kind and gentle family but, believe me, a determination that could be envied even by a Greco-Roman fighter!

With a straight back and a determined look, she was aiming right at the finish line but un-

fortunately she has missed the title of Italian Champion by just a hair’s breadth.

The vice Italian Champion succeeded in improving the results of Barbaforte Bosana (Achnaton x Mashden) that had begun an unlucky season with the elimination due to lameness in Vittorito (luckily it was just a simple injury that recovered in just a few days).

This athlete from Emilia Romagna earned her 2008 stallion a silver medal, a medal that will join her twin sister in the personal showcase.

A beautiful day, a wonderful organization and a great podium!

Rankings on: http://www.enduranceonline.it/live/cat/V6.php?gara_id=52&v_categoria=V6_1

View the GPS recording of the race on: https://racemap.com/player/italian-fei-senior-endurance-nationalchampionship_2017-06-02/ Move forward and backwards with the “play cursor”, we advise you to take a careful look at the last section of the race where the three riders’ approach to Loris Canali is clearly shown.

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Gianluca and Costanza Laliscia

Camilla Malta, Costanza Laliscia and Loris Canali

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Q

uassia Distinta, with an average speed of almost 20 km/h, led Niccolò Trotta from Piemonte to the highest step of the podium.

The 2009 Anglo-Arabian female, daughter of Distintu and Flor the May conquers this important title in San Vito al Tagliamento after winning last year’s CEI2* in Travagliato, a victory that released him from the elimination in the same length ride at Valeggio sul Mincio.

Silver medal to Camilla Coppini and Palma who reached the finish line a few seconds after Niccolò. Palma is an Arabian horse of 2008, she’s the daughter of Ercules and Ambra by Rubis. In 2016 she collected three podium positions (one was in a CEI2*). A nice consolation after last year’s early elimination in Dubai at the Sh. Mohammed Cup. Another great satisfaction for this athlete from

Veneto who was already silver medal at the European Championship Under 21 in Portugal 2016 and gold medal under 21 at the Italian Championship Under 21 in 2016. A well deserved bronze medal to Filippo Cingolani from the Italian region of Marches, astride Quasarquarto (Gonare x Bottida).

A great success after last year’s elimination at the World Championship for young horses in France. His average speed was 19,64 km/h.

Sila Greca (Kadet x Susette Sap) ridden by ALMAZROUEI Shaheen Yayhya Shaheen Khalfan from the UAE won the CEI2YR. Besides the Italian Championship for Young Riders, the CEI2 and CEI1 were won respectively by Carolina Tavassoli Asli on Vavite du Barthas (Khadar x Asma Lotoise) and Beatrice Chiapponi on Tarassaco della Bosana (Ber Phanat x Wera (della Caldirola).

Italian Champion 2017 YR Niccolò Trotta with Quassia Distinta

View rankings on: http://www.enduranceonline.it/db/db_results.php

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Loris Canali

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KURTUVENAI

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mercedes tapia

the best endurance rider 2017

Ppt Cidinha Franzao

T

he rider from Argentina was recently awarded with the title of Best Endurance Rider at the Darley Awards in Los Angeles....

Mecha, introduce yourself…

When I was born, horses were already all around me, in fact my family breeds criollo horses since 1910. Due to my great passion for the world of horses I decided to study Veterinary Science, in order to dedicate my whole life to them. I became a Horse Vet, a Trainer and rider of my and my clients’horses. My husband, an orthopedic surgeon and my daughter Flor are vets too. In 1998 an Arabian horse breeder asked me to train his horses for Endurance, that was the first time I rode Arabian Horses and I immediately fell in love with them How does it feel to walk on the red carpet holding this precious trophy?

I remember that moment and those 3 days in L.A. as a magical episode…I never thought I would be nominated Best endurance rider of the World… it all still seems like a dream!

How did you reach this result and when do you think the choice fell on you for this prize?

Well… I think a lot of factors led to this choice. I was an athlete of the Argentine team in 6 world Championships and 2 Pan American Championships. I won the Argentine Ranking and have

been on the first page of the FEI Ranking for many years. I believe the judges considered the gold Medal that the FEI gives to all the riders that complete 3 World Championships, or simply the Judges appreciate my being a Vet, owner, trainer and rider…. I don’t know… This sport gave me the opportunity to have friends all over the world and to travel every year, riding endurance horses in beautiful places, sharing my passion with other people from the horse world.

My daughter Flor, was sitting beside me at the Dolby Theater that night and she was sure they would have picked me!!!! I wasn’t.

Please give three advices to all the people approaching the endurance world today.

1 - First of all...always take care of your horse, second... keep taking care of your horse and third... continue caring for your horse! Horses are our souls, our mirror, our reason to become better people every day.

2 - Luck exists but it is mainly hard work and respect of the horse that makes us reach our goals.

3 - If you really do love horses then Endurance riding is the best sport in the world. I believe that it is the only sport that lets you spend a long time with your horse, allowing you to build a strong relationship with him. Furthermore, you can increase your knowledge concerning sport medicine and acquire skills that will be very useful once you need to help your horse. In Endurance the Rider and the horse are partners, partnership gives you the effort... becoming a strong binomial is the only way possible to run a 160 km ride.

Thank you

AMAZING EVENT in x-bionic® sphere Samorin, Slovakia JUNE 3rd, 2017

x-bionic® sphere

Titles from The Championship for Sanders and Charles Lionel Sanders and Lucy Charles, these are the names of the champions from the first World Championships under the cover of CHALLENGE FAMILY – THE CHAMPIONSHIP 2017, that was held on Saturday in x-bionic® sphere in Samorin.

The perfectly prepared complex, sunny weather with temperatures slightly above thirty and numerous spectators along the track and in x-bionic® sphere, these were the perfect conditions for the premiere Championship in the middledistance triathlon, which comprises of a 1,9 swim, 90 km bike and 21k run. More than 900 athletes from 57 countries racing in different categories came to the start of the race.

The biggest applause was given to the fresh Champions – 29-year-old Canadian Lionel Sanders got the decisive lead in the second part of the run. As the second came Sebastian Kienle from Germany and the third was Michael Raelert.

“Until fourteenth kilometer of the run I was saying to myself that the second place is relatively fine.

But later I noticed that Sebastian is not so fresh, so I tried to use it and I succeeded. I am very happy about the win,” said Sanders.

The best Slovak athlete, Richard Varga, showed great performance in Samorin. After the swimming, he was a leader, but at the end he finished 11th.

“It was definitely the hardest triathlon I have ever experienced in my life. I have missed the first ten only a little bit, but nevertheless I am very satisfied and thankful for the support of fans along the track,” said Slovak athlete. We can find another Slovak name in the first 15 athletes – on 14th place finished Slovak Karol Dzalaj.

The best woman was Lucy Charles from Britain.

The silver medal in x-bionic® sphere was given to Anabel Luxford from Australia, on the third place finished the world´s number three Heather Wurtele from Canada.

“Even two kilometers before the finish I did not fully believe that I can win, although I felt strong on the track. In the end I succeeded, I am very glad for the gold medal,” said Charles, who won Ironman at Lanzarote at the end of May. “If somebody had told me at the beginning of the year that I would win both these races, I would have considered him crazy.”

THE CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 Men: 1. Lionel Sanders (Canada) 3:40:03,7, 2. Sebastian Kienle (Germany) 3:41:46,1, 3. Michael Raelert (Germany) 3:45:34, 6...11. Richard Varga (Slovakia) 3:58:46,8, 14. Karol Dzalaj (Slovakia) 4:03:08,5.

Richard Ungerhofer could not hide the satisfaction after The Championship. “I am very glad that we have been given a chance to organize an event that sets up new standards in the international triathlon – and I think we set up really high standards. On the track, it was done by the top athletes, who our team from x-bionic®sphere supported with professionalism and maximum helpfulness in the organization of the event.

I believe that the sportsmen and sportswomen, their teams and all the spectators enjoyed The Championship in Samorin – because in my opinion there was a lot to see,” said Richard Ungerhofer, CEO of x-bionic® sphere.

PHOTO @Activ’images

x-bionic® sphere Dubová 33/A, Šamorín

Slovakia

www.x-bionicsphere.com www.facebook.com/challengesamorin

Women: 1. Lucy Charles (Great Britain) 4:13:59,1, 2. Anabel Luxford (Australia) 4:14:33,3, 3. Heather Wurtele (Canada) 4:15:36,5, 22. Kristina Nec Lapinova (Slovakia) 4:51:05,5.

CATEGORY THE CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 › INDIVIDUAL 717 › PRO ATHLETES 101 › RELAY 57 › TOTAL 875 57 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES IN TOTAL TOP 5 COUNTRIES › GERMANY 125 PEOPLE › ITALY 63 PEOPLE › GREAT BRITAIN 57 PEOPLE › SLOVAKIA 54 PEOPLE › POLAND 51 PEOPLE OUR OLDEST PARTICIPANT OF THE RACE IS GARTH BARFOOT AND HE JUST TURNED A WEEK AGO 81

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Photo by Chiara Gobbetti

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Simona Garatti

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Camilla Malta

Silver medal Italian Championship 2017

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