Inside international horse racing paddocks with form expert Susan Trevelyan-Syke
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*Endurance FEI
U.S. Dominated Kentucky Cup Endurance FEI CEI***
Despite slippery and inclement weather requiring organisers of the Kentucky Cup Endurance FEI CEI*** to shorten the course from 100 miles (160 km) to 75 miles (120 km), winners were officially declared at the Kentucky Horse Park October 15.
The event, sponsored by Emirates Equestrian Federation, was the official endurance test for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games despite losing its status as a qualifying event for the Games because of the shortened trail.
Danielle McGunigal of Ft. Valley, Virginia, was the individual gold medal winner of the modified CEI*** riding Gold Raven, her 8yo Arabian mare.
McGunigal was the 1996 Endurance World Champion and her famous mother, Valerie Kanavy, was twice Endurance World Champion. Kanavy's mare LM Parys fell on the second loop eliminating her from the race.
Ellyn Rapp of Dubuque, Iowa, won the silver medal on Berjo Smokey and Jan Worthington of Scales Mound, Illinois, won bronze on Golden Lightning.
Team USA East (with McGunigal, Dr Margaret Mary Sleeper, Stephen Rojek and Farzad Faryadi) to the team gold medal.
Team Central USA the silver and Team Mountain USA the bronze.
Riders from 23 countries participated in the event which was a good test for 2010 by Competition Manager Emmett Ross.
He promises "some surprises for next year--and it's not going to rain." Right.
The World Games 2010 Foundation Announces Competitors for Kentucky Cup Endurance
Official Test Event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY—October 7, 2009— On October 14, riders from more than 20 countries will compete in the Kentucky Cup Endurance race, sponsored by Emirates Equestrian Federation and the official endurance test event for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games.
Athletes from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Romania, Spain and many other countries are expected to compete in or observe Kentucky Cup Endurance in preparation for next year’s Endurance World Championship at the 2010 Games. The team from the United Arab Emirates will be led by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. His son, HE Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, will also ride for the UAE.
Current World Champion Maria Alvarez Ponton of Spain, and the mother-daughter team of Valerie Kanavy and Danielle Mc Gunigal of the United States will also compete. Kanavy is a two-time world champion (1994 and 1998) and also placed second to her daughter in the 1996 World Championships.
Kentucky Cup Endurance will feature both a 75-mile (120 km) race and a 100-mile (160 km) race. Both races comprise a series of loops through the Kentucky Horse Park and surrounding properties, frequently returning to the Kentucky Horse Park for required veterinary inspections.
The 75-mile race will begin at 7:30 a.m. on October 14 and the 100-mile race will follow with a 7:45 a.m. start. Awards for the 100-mile race will be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 15 in the new outdoor stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. In addition to honoring the top riders, there will also be an award for the best conditioned horse.
Admission to Kentucky Cup Endurance is free to the public. Parking will be $3 per day at the entrance of the Kentucky Horse Park. Kentucky Cup Endurance spectators can also enjoy the other Kentucky Horse Park attractions. Admission to Kentucky Horse Park attractions is available at the Visitor’s Center.
About the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The
Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight
equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre
Internationale (FEI). HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan is
the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years
and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
The
Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest
commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television
history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic
impact of $150 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex,
John Deere, Ariat International, Inc., Meydan, Rood and Riddle Equine
Hospital, and AQHA. Website www.alltechfeigames.com
Spain Wins Individual Gold
Maria Alvarez Ponton of Spain, based in Dubai, won the Gold Medal in the FEI Open Meydan City European Endurance Championship held in Assisi, Italy.
Ponton finished the 160km course in 8hrs:10mins:58secs on Saturday, September 26.
The UAE's Sheikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi took the silver and Jaumotte Rachel of Belgium won the bronze.
Meydan Sponsors WEG 2010 Endurance Competition
Meydan Group L.L.C., UAE developer of the new racecourse opening March 27 with the Dubai World Cup 2010, has become Presenting Sponsor of the Endurance Competition at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.
The competition is a one-day event commencing at approximately 5AM on September 26 and will include champions from more than 30 countries who will ride a designated six-loop course spanning 100 miles (160 km).
The first past the post after completing the course wins the speed and stamina test provided his/her horse passes veterinarian examinations.
Horses are monitored throughout and vets having the final word on their healthy participation.
There will be both individual competitors and country teams with awards for both categories at the end.
The UAE is expected to field its medal-winning team headed by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Meydan is also sponsoring the European Endurance Championship in Assisi, Italy, September 26, 2009.
2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will be held September 25 to October 10, 2010, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
It will feature the World Championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) including Endurance which is amateur horse racing timed over long distances.
Other major sponsors of the Games, which alternate with the Olympics, are Rolex, John Deere and Ariat.
Tickets can be purchased directly at www.alltechfeigames.com.
A guaranteed thrill for attendees is that Cigar stands at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Superman or Super Star?
Endurance racing of 120 km at FEI level is probably the most grueling amateur horse sport for an individual or team.
The "Ride with the Stars" at Euston Park, Norfolk, had 118 riders from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Belgium, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Australia and the United States.
It only took the winner five hours, seven minutes and 47 seconds to take first place.
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, beat his son The Crown Prince by one second to win.
Both are seasoned European and World Champions in these regional races, the World Equestrian Games and Olympics.
In his spare time, Sheikh Mohammed oversees the Dubai World Cup, his Godolphin racing empire, Darley Stud as well as recently purchased thoroughbred auction firm Fasig Tipton.
And he writes poetry.
