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 In his other life as a renowned international film director Paulo Branco is known as an innovator. It was not surprising then that the vice president of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation and organiser of the 2007 European Championships would present an event that would break new ground in the sport. Speaking on the eve of the event, he said his team's mission had been to "recognise that the sport of endurance was gaining credibility among the other equestrian disciplines internationally but that this was the moment to push it forward still further". He said the benchmarks towards achieving this would focus on staging a highly competitive event in terms of participants and a challenging course, by focussing further on the safety of the horse and making a bigger impact on the public and media. He said: "This is the direction we are heading, particularly with a new level of media coverage and we hope, the choice of a pleasant, technical and fast course in order for the riders to enjoy but also to prove their level of competitiveness." Sponsored by the Qatar Foundation and with the support of Turismo de Portugal, the 2007 European Championships ticked all the boxes for competitiveness with a finale that the film director himself could not have envisaged, victory, which had been firmly in the grasp of the United Arab Emirates being claimed by France just a few hundred metres from the finish line. Portugal hosted the first Open European contest jointly with Spain in 1999 at Elvas/Badahoz and it was fitting that this return to Portugal nearly a decade on produced a record line up for an Open European contest with more than 20 nations represented including the USA and Russia. Illustrating the widening reach of the sport in Eastern Europe, there were riders from Hungary and Georgia. For the first time, Greece was represented at this level. The wider than ever pool of entries from the Middle Eastern countries was a tribute to the development of the sport in that region. Alongside the United Arab Emirates came Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the widely popular success of the Bahrain team in securing the silver medal in the Open competition signalled not only the rapid progress of countries new to the sport at this level over the past decade but also the extent to which the endurance community internationally has bonded and embraced the achievements of those setting new standards in the sport. The course presented by the organising team through the coastal plains close to Lisbon, was indeed fast. Not as flat as a desert track, nonetheless it was over only mildly undulating countryside with no significant climbs. Cutting through estuary country criss-crossed with rice-paddies, canals and dykes as well as pine forests and oak plantations, the track was deceptive and by no means easy. The mix of stony tracks, hard ground and deep heavy sand, required thinking, intelligent riding. The resultant ride statistics disproved any suggestion that this was anything other than a championship level course. The winning speed was an average of 19.118 km/hr, a long way from the record-breaking 2005 World Championship speed of 22km/hr in the UAE. After a long-hot summer in Southern Europe, the temperatures were not unlike those faced by riders in the Middle East and the attrition rate of 60% (average for a championship event) suggested that the humidity and climatic conditions had been a factor in some metabolic eliminations. Several technical developments were brought in for the first time at a championship. Horses taking part were fitted with a GPS chip on their bridles to keep track of their progress. "This is the first time that a GPS system has been used in a major endurance championship and this has been done at the initiative of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation," said Hallvard Sommerseth, the Foreign Technical Delegate for the championship. The Norwegian official, said the introduction of the GPS had been to help keep track of the runners at various stages of the competition. The move aimed to ensure the welfare of the horses as well as it will give organisers insight into how the runners were faring. The results were unanimously well received. President of the appeal committee Bo Kjellgren of Sweden said: "The use of transponders for the time keeping for the first time worked perfectly." He was less convinced by the use of a display system showing the pulse rates of horses in the vetgates which he said would need fine-tuning after certain "technical difficulties". However, efforts by the organisers to publicise the event heavily attracted thousands of spectators, not only to soak up the activity at the vetgate and dazzling display of speeds at the finish line but also the spectacle of the pre-dawn mass start. Throughout the day big screens updated the crowds on the race positions as well as fluctuating temperature and humidity. The next step surely will be the action to be relayed on a giant TV screen. Indeed, all day, helicopters circled over the leading riders as fittingly for an event organised by a film director, the 2007 championship secured the biggest live television audience for an endurance ride in the sport's history with live coverage throughout the day on Portuguese TV as well as Dubai and Qatar TV channels. The only element of the drama that Snr Branco was unable to organise was a fairytale finish for the host nation - armchair fans and spectators at the event cheers their team into fifth place and raised the roof when Rui Pereira and his horse Canario, the first Portuguese combination appeared on the horizon to finish in 17th place. Whoever said endurance was not a spectator sport? from: HorseTalk.co.nz
Bonjour Ă toutes et Ă tous
Lors du championnat d’Europe à Barroca d’Alva au Portugal l’équipe de France d’endurance, composée de Sophie Arnaud, Virginie Atger, Philippe Benoit, Pascale Dietsh, Jean-Philippe Frances et Philippe Tomas, a de nouveau dignement représenté notre pays en cumulant les premières places du classement individuel et par équipe. Les cavaliers, Jérôme Boisson, Christophe Pelissier et moi-même, nous adressons un grand merci à tous ceux qui nous ont encouragés durant toute la phase préparatoire et à tous ceux qui nous ont soutenus tout au long de l’épreuve. Merci également aux rédacteurs des sympathiques messages en tous genres qui ont été adressés à toute l’équipe après l’annonce de ce beau résultat. Ce formidable succès est le fruit d’un long travail dans lequel il convient de rendre hommage à la grande qualité des éleveurs et de l’élevage français, j’y associerai les Haras Nationaux qui soutiennent en permanence notre discipline. Un très grand merci et toute notre reconnaissance à François Atger, à Gilles Amphoux, à Jean-Noël Lafaure et à Yves Plantin qui ont mis à la disposition de l’équipe de France de Barroca des chevaux de grande valeur sportive et … plus. Je n’oublie pas bien sûr tous les assistants qui nous ont accompagnés dans cette aventure. Leur compétence, leur parfaite connaissance de la discipline et leur bonne humeur ont été également des facteurs de la réussite de l’équipe de France au cours de ce championnat. Merci aux organisateurs d’épreuves, tous bénévoles dévoués qui font vivre notre discipline, y consacrant beaucoup de leur temps et souvent de leur argent. Ils permettent aux chevaux et cavaliers de s’exprimer sur des parcours techniques sécurisés et aux meilleurs de se mettre en valeur. Merci à Virginie, aussi experte en endurance qu’en horse-ball, qui nous aide et nous soutient en permanence depuis les bureaux de Boulogne. Sa perpétuelle bonne humeur et son efficacité reconnue de tous sont une aide précieuse pour toute la discipline. Merci à la FFE qui nous a permis de nous déplacer aux quatre coins de l’Europe avec les jeunes et les seniors durant tout l’été. Merci d’avoir toujours été à nos côtés dans la préparation et la finalisation de ce championnat d’Europe. Un clin d’œil à Alain Soucasse qui est venu nous encourager et qui une fois encore a fini, comme nous tous, dans un bac à eau pour « arroser » les résultats. A nous maintenant de savourer pleinement notre victoire et de savoir nous rassembler autour de ce succès. Ainsi nous présenterons l’image d’une discipline unie, responsable, dynamique où chacun pourra trouver sa place, et où tous ceux qui le souhaitent pourront espérer progresser vers le plus haut niveau. Jean-Louis Leclerc
Strong competition at European Endurance Champs
 The FEI European Endurance Championship Open Qatar Challenge earlier this month was the first time Portugal had hosted an endurance event of this level. Several nations were slightly apprehensive about the track at in Barroca d'Alva, which although was flat with generally good going was demanding and would require a 'thinking cap' to achieve a good result. Lately in endurance the trend has been to have one central vet gate from which all loops start and finish. The Championship this year was different, whilst the start and finish were in the same place; all other vet gates were held at a different venue. The start was in Companhia Das Lezirias, an area with a diverse land use ranging from forestry, to vineyards to agricultural use, located further north than Barocca d'Alva. The race began on September 8, with the first leg 34.5km long, taking competitors south along farm and woodland tracks. Loop two was shorter, only 21.75km and took competitors further south again for 10km before bringing them back up to their second vet gate at Barroca d'Alva. [More ...]
European endurance title goes to UAE rider
www.horsetalk.co.nz September 10, 2007 Mubarak Khalifa Al Shafya and Zakah Zahara of the United Arab Emirates has won the Individual event at the European Endurance Championships, at Barroco D'Alva in Portugal on Saturday. Al Shafya finished with an average speed of 19.115kph. In second place was French rider Jean Phillippe Frances on Hanaba du Bois, with Spain's Jaume Punti Dachs third, riding Elvis AHB. There were 88 starters from 20 countries, but just 36 completed. The British Endurance Riding Team of Sally Hall riding Sire deBozouls, Fiona Hamilton riding Sharifah, Nicky Sherry riding Shimmering Blue Jasmine, and Chris Yeoman riding Farouk De Lozelle, put in a terrific performance riding competitively from the start, gradually moving up the field throughout the day to finish 6th in the team event and 5th in the Open Championship. Fiona finished in 20th place, Chris in 23rd. place and Nicky 34th. Susan Hawes riding Jade Rani (18th) and Jayme Bone riding Krayaan Jesra rode as individuals. 1 MUBARAK KHALIFA AL SHAFYA UAE ZAKAH ZAHARA 2 JEAN PHILLIPPE FRANCES FRA HANABA DU BOIS 3 JAUME PUNTI DACHS ESP ELVIS AHB 4 *MARIA ALVAREZ PONTON ESP NOBBY 5 *H.E SH HAMDAN BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM UAE KAYSAND FARRAZAH 6 *PHILIPPE BENOIT FRA AKIM DU BOULVE 7 *VIRGINIE ATGER FRA KANGOO D'AURABELLE 8 *H.H.SH NASSER BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA BRN BASIC INSTINCT 9 *GABRIELA FORSTER GER PRICELESS GOLD 10 *PASCALE DIETSCH FRA HIFRANE DU BARTHAS 11 *VAN DEN ABEELE KRISTEL BEL EPSON DE LA BRUSKAIE 12 *GHAZI AL DOSSERI BRN BAJA DE PIBOUL 13 MOHAMMED ABDULAZIZ AL HASAN BRN KEFIR DE SOMMAQNT 14 *YUSUF ALI TAHER BRN GANDA KOY 15 ELOINA FERNANDEZ VEGA ESP RAYITO 16 *H.E SH AHMED BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM UAE JAZYK 17 *RUI PEREIRA POR CANARIO 18 SUSAN HAWES GBR JADE RANI 19 *JOAO RAPOSO POR QUINZA 20 *FIONA HAMILTON GBR SHARIFAH
A Short Slideshow
A short video/slideShow of the event. Compiled with images from EnduranceEurope.net and set to the music of Anamar! A short SlideshowEnjoy!
open
all nations count for the open ranking, so individual placings will be UAE, FRA, Spain, for the team it´s more work to count
regards
barbara
The Finish - Updated (28)
At the Finish!(1)Teams1. france
2. bahrain (open)
3. Spain
4. Switzerland Individuals
| 1. | UAE | 6 | MUBARAK KHALIFA AL SHAFYA riding ZAKAH ZAHARA |
| 2. | FRA | 36 | JEAN PHILLIPPE FRANCES ridingHANABA DU BOIS |
| 3. | ESP | 26 | JAUME PUNTI DACHS riding ELVIS AHB |
| 4. | ESP | 28 | *MARIA ALVAREZ PONTON riding NOBBY |
| 5. | UAE | 3 | *H.E SH HAMDAN BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM riding KAYSAND FARRAZAH |
| 6. | FRA | 35 | *PHILIPPE BENOIT riding AKIM DU BOULVE |
| 7. | FRA | 34 | *VIRGINIE ATGER riding ANGOO D'AURABELLE |
| 8. | BRN | 13 | *H.H.SH NASSER BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA riding BASIC INSTINCT |
| 9. | GER | 38 | GABRIELA FORSTER RIDING PRICELESS GOLD |
| 10. | FRA | 32 | *PASCALE DIETSCH riding HIFRANE DU BARTHAS |
| 11. | BEL | 1 | *VAN DEN ABEELE KRISTEL riding EPSON DE LA BRUSKAIE |
| 12. | BRN | 17 | *GHAZI AL DOSSERI riding BAJA DE PIBOUL |
| 13. | BRN | 16 | *YUSUF ALI TAHER riding GANDA KOY |
| 14. | BRN | 15 | MOHAMMED ABDULAZIZ AL HASAN riding KEFIR DE SOMMAQNT |
| 15. | ESP | 27 | ELOINA FERNANDEZ VEGA riding RAYITO |
| 16. | UAE | 4 | *H.E SH AHMED BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM riding JAZYK |
| 17. | POR | 104 | *RUI PEREIRA riding CANARIO |
| 18. | GBR | 43 | SUSAN HAWES riding JADE RANI |
| 19. | POR | 102 | *JOAO RAPOSO riding QUINZA |
| 20. | GBR | 42 | *FIONA HAMILTON riding SHARIFAH |
| 21. | 25 | ESP | *PATRICIA MARISCAL GARRIDO-FALLA riding KAT ADAL KAISER |
| 22. | 30 | ESP | *ANA MARIA YEBRA ridingVANITA BINT BACORA |
| 23. | 45 | GBR | *CHRISTINE YEOMAN riding FAROUK DE LOZELLE |
| 24. | 82 | SUI | *URS WENGER riding ZIALKA |
| 25. | 81 | SUI | *NORA WAGNER riding TEMIR |
| 26. | 54 | ITA | *MAUR LIVIANA riding CYRIAK |
| 27. | 53 | ITA | *MARRAMA CHIARA riding MAGIC START |
| 28. | 83 | SUI | *VERONIKA MUNGER riding JANNIK CH |
(1)Un-Official and subject to change!
Re: [RC] [European Endurance Championship] After gate 5
I don't have a pull list from Gate 5 yet. This note from Francis re: Sabrina and also Steph mentioned that #2 from UAE was pulled at G5. jt On Sep 8, 2007, at 10:38 AM, francis wrote: > German Rider Sabrina was pulled at VG 5. As the german team started
> with only 3 riders, it's reduced to 2 now. :-(
>
> Got no further information about the us team though, sorry.
>
> francis
>
> Ridecamp schrieb:
>> HI, Inform received by phone, just at gate 5
>> 4 UAE in the lead, Sh Rashid out, Frances(FRA) in the lead with at
>> seconds PUnti(ESP), Alvarez(ESP), Vandenabeel(BEL)
>> -- Posted By Ridecamp to European Endurance Championship <http://
>> www.enduranceeurope.net/international/2007EuropeanChampionship/ >> notes/2007/09/after-gate-5.html>
>> on 9/08/2007 08:30:00 AM
At the Finish (#2)
There was a crash about 800m from the finish. UAE rider #5 (Shk. Majid) went down. Rider #13 H.H.Sh Nasser bin Hamad al Khalifa from Bahrain stopped to help! At the Finish!
| 1. | UAE | SULTAN BIN SULAYEM riding NASHMI | | 2. | UAE | MUBARAK KHALIFA AL SHAFYA riding ZAKAH ZAHARA | | 3. | FRA | JEAN PHILLIPPE FRANCES ridingHANABA DU BOIS | | 4. | ESP | JAUME PUNTI DACHS riding ELVIS AHB | | 5. | ESP | *MARIA ALVAREZ PONTON riding NOBBY | | 6. | UAE | *H.E SH HAMDAN BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM riding KAYSAND FARRAZAH | | 7. | ESP | *JORDI ARBOIX riding JOUR D'AINOA | | 8. | FRA | *PHILIPPE BENOIT riding AKIM DU BOULVE | | 9. | FRA | *VIRGINIE ATGER riding ANGOO D'AURABELLE | | 10. | BRN | *H.H.SH NASSER BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA riding BASIC INSTINCT | | 11. | GER | GABRIELA FORSTER RIDING PRICELESS GOLD | | 12. | FRA | *PASCALE DIETSCH riding HIFRANE DU BARTHAS | | 13. | BEL | *VAN DEN ABEELE KRISTEL riding EPSON DE LA BRUSKAIE |
A wreck at the Finish
6. UAE *H.E SH HAMDAN BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM riding KAYSAND FARRAZAH 7. ESP *JORDI ARBOIX riding JOUR D'AINOA 8. FRA *PHILIPPE BENOIT riding AKIM DU BOULVE 9. FRA *VIRGINIE ATGER riding ANGOO D'AURABELLE 10. BRN *H.H.SH NASSER BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA BRN BASIC INSTINCT ==== It looks like *H.E.SH MAJID BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM UAE KEVIN DE NARTHOUX had a crash about 800 meters from the finish line. There is confusion.
At the Finish!
1. UAE SULTAN BIN SULAYEM riding NASHMI
2. UAE MUBARAK KHALIFA AL SHAFYA riding ZAKAH ZAHARA
3. FRA JEAN PHILLIPPE FRANCES ridingHANABA DU BOIS
4. ESP JAUME PUNTI DACHS riding ELVIS AHB
5. ESP *MARIA ALVAREZ PONTON riding NOBBY
last crew point
Found it on a french site - Alvarez, Punti and Frances have catched up with uae leaders leonard, belgium Steph... please post news
After gate 5
HI, Inform received by phone, just at gate 5 4 UAE in the lead, Sh Rashid out, Frances(FRA) in the lead with at seconds PUnti(ESP), Alvarez(ESP), Vandenabeel(BEL)
Ready for the Last Phase!
Top 5 riders arrived (UAE) - tons of energy. Sh Rashid (#2) 's horse Kevin de Narthou was pulled - telltale head bob - slight but there. Nice show of sportsmanship tho - a smile, 'yes, no problem, thank you' , and a handshake with the vets. Sh Ahmed is still on the trail, the 3rd team member now. There's quite a bit of excitement for UAE - I'm feeling it too. It's not over yet, but they're doing everything right, and well, and with a high degree of professionalism and sportsmanship. Jaume and Merri's taking a few more photos, we'll catch the front runners as they leave and then head back to the main camp for the finish. A little cooler, slight breeze, less humid - I just talked to Darolyn - she's still hanging in there. Cheryl's doing great, as is Jan. :) I have a printout of team standings as of VG 4, 1. UAE 16:31 2. France 17:39 3. Bahrain 17:50 4. Belgium 17:58 5. Germany 18:06 6. Spain 18:08 7. Portugal 18:30 8. Suisse 19:15 9. GBR 19:17 10. Italie 19:21 11. USA 19:39 12. NED 20:51 Steph
after gate 4 ??
What\'s happening after gate 4, this is so exciting!
Leading the Race
UAE still has 6 riders going strong. 5 are running 1,2,3,4,5 and Sh. Ahmed is moving back up gradually. The first 5 just went out on the course, , lots of serious discussion and then whooping enthusiastically out the gate. almost sounded Western :) Out on loop 5, same 27km course as loop 3, which was described as the toughest. Maria and Jaume are right behind them, as is Kristel van den Abeele, last year's EC winner. I just had lunch at the VIP tent (press sometimes has privileges) - lots of high society, plenty of wine flowing, and very good food! Merri's been taking tons of photos - this is such a high energy event, horses moving in and out constantly, fast and furious crewing, LOTS of water. Access is good, the crewing area is large and central and very spectator friendly. I'll go see if I can get a full report of VG4- Steph
Team Standings with Images of Loops 3 & 4
At Loop 3 1. UAE 13:07 2. France 14:10 3. Belgium 14:18 4. Germany 14:24 5. Bahrain 14:24 6. Spain 14:29 7. Portugal 14:31 8. USA 14:50 9. Qatar 15:00 10. Suisse 15:06 11. Italie 15:20 12. GBR 15:31 13. Nederland 15:37 14. Russia (2 riders left) 11:03
Leaders to Gate 4
The first 5 are in to Gate 4: 1 MUBARAK KHALIFA AL SHAFYA UAE ZAKAH ZAHARA 6 05:30:16 00'00" 19.075 01:46:28 19.160 3 01:05:56 20.020 4 01:29:47 18.043 2 01:08:05 19.388 1 2 *H.E.SH MAJID BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM UAE KEVIN DE NARTHOUX 5 05:30:19 00'03" 19.072 01:46:24 19.172 2 01:05:56 20.020 2 01:30:14 17.953 5 01:07:45 19.483 2 3 SULTAN BIN SULAYEM UAE NASHMI 8 05:30:23 00'07" 19.068 01:46:20 19.184 1 01:06:08 19.959 5 01:29:06 18.181 1 01:08:49 19.181 3 4 *H.E.SH RASHID BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM UAE SPENDA CREST KARNOUFLAGE 2 05:30:28 00'12" 19.063 01:46:34 19.142 4 01:05:50 20.050 3 01:30:06 17.980 4 01:07:58 19.421 4 5 *H.E SH HAMDAN BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM UAE KAYSAND FARRAZAH 3 05:30:37 00'21" 19.055 01:46:35 19.139 5 01:05:44 20.081 1 01:30:09 17.970 3 01:08:09 19.369 5
Images of Loops 2 & 3
The riders are out on Loop 4: 
Eleminations as of Gate 2
| *SOPHIE ARNAUD | FRA | ELECTRA | | FILIPE FIALHO | POR | SULTANA BEN DANDY | | *MELBARD NIKOLAY | RUS | TALMAZ | 79 | | *MAKHOV AKHMED | RUS | KARAGJOZ | 76 | | PEDRO GODINHO | POR | OLIMPICO DA AMEIRA | | ALEXIA KOLPODINOU | GRE | BARIQ AL AMAR | 46 | | RAEH MAHMOOD | BRN | ANTAR | 18 | | *SH DUAIJ BIN SALMAN AL KHALIFA | BRN | SHAR RUSHKIN | 14 | | *HOMOUD ALSHAMMERE | KSA | JAVELOT DE LA MOTTE | 59 | | *HAMAD ALI RASHID AL MARRI | QAT | BENTLEY | 74 |
Moving Fast and Running Tight
VG 2 is mostly in, a few riders out. Front runners are out on phase 3. Fog is starting to lift, warming up. Still a very high level of energy/excitement. The riders are still running close, not spread out very much yet. No major hitches, timing system is working well (horses are wearing collars with chips), traffic flow is pretty good- a bit of confusion here and there but mostly orderly. UAE still dominating front positions, Sh Ahmed and Zayck haven't made up lost time yet, but holding steady. focused on team performance. USA - Cheryl Van Duesen moving up, horse is recovering quickly - in 13th place as of VG1. Jan Worthington and Heather Reynolds riding together and holding steady in 53/54. Darolyn Butler moved up after loop 1 to 59th. Spain - Jaume and Maria running 9 and 10, horses look good. France - 5 riders in top 20, team is running 17, 18, 19 (riding together) - time for an espresso - 27km for loop 3, will be a while before front riders are back in Steph
Gate 2: Leaders have Arrived
The first 12 have entered Gate 2. | Rg | N° | Nation | Rider | Horse | Final Time | Gap | moy | | 1 | 3 | UAE | H.E SH HAMDAN BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM | KAYSAND FARRAZAH | 2:52:19 | 00'00" | 19.5 | | 2 | 5 | UAE | H.E.SH MAJID BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM | KEVIN DE NARTHOUX | 2:52:20 | 00'01" | 19.5 | | 3 | 2 | UAE | H.E.SH RASHID BIN MOHD AL MAKTOUM | SPENDA CREST KARNOUFLAGE | 2:52:24 | 00'05" | 19.49 | | 4 | 6 | UAE | MUBARAK KHALIFA AL SHAFYA | ZAKAH ZAHARA | 2:52:24 | 00'05" | 19.49 | | 5 | 8 | UAE | SULTAN BIN SULAYEM | NASHMI | 2:52:28 | 00'09" | 19.48 | | 6 | 70 | QAT | FAHAD MUNIF AL HAJERI | PRAVADO | 2:57:40 | 05'21" | 18.91 | | 7 | 28 | ESP | MARIA ALVAREZ PONTON | NOBBY | 2:58:25 | 06'06" | 18.83 | | 8 | 26 | ESP | JAUME PUNTI DACHS | ELVIS AHB | 2:58:26 | 06'07" | 18.83 | | 9 | 1 | BEL | VAN DEN ABEELE KRISTEL | EPSON DE LA BRUSKAIE | 2:58:32 | 06'13" | 18.82 | | 10 | 51 | ITA | FIORUCCI FAUSTO | JAIFAR | 3:00:37 | 08'18" | 18.6 | | 11 | 31 | FRA | PHILIPPE TOMAS | JOEL CABIRAT | 3:02:47 | 10'28" | 18.38 | | 12 | 36 | FRA | JEAN PHILLIPPE FRANCES | HANABA DU BOIS | 3:02:50 | 10'31" | 18.38 |
why is Jazyk end of the pack
Hi Steph Did something happend with Jazyk riden by Sh Ahmed. 5 UAE riders vetted in in the lead while Jazyk is among the lasts Leo
======
I'm not sure what happened w Sh Ahmed. One of the UAE riders was thrown during the first loop - possibly it was him and there were problems. I'll try to find out.
The first vetgate was pretty chaotic. all 80+ arrived within 30 minutes. long lines to vet. All 4 US horses looked great. UAE has strong lead at this point (early).
Steph
======
Jazyk lost a shoe on loop one, late arrival
Does anybody knows where we can see the current \" online \" results of the European Endurance Championship ???? The link shown at the official website of the event doesn\'t work !!!!
Gate 1: 82 Pass - 6 eliminations
The complete detail for vetGate #1 is available at: results.html88 starters - they all came into the first gate (37km) within 30 minutes of each other. there were two eliminations at the first gate. They are on phase 2 now. jt Gate 1 Eliminations:( | Riders Retired/Eliminated | | | | | |
| . | SOPHIE ARNAUD | FRA | ELECTRA | 33 | | ELIM.: |
| . | RAEH MAHMOOD | BRN | ANTAR | 18 | | ELIM.: |
| . | MELBARD NIKOLAY | RUS | TALMAZ | 79 | | 2:00:56 |
| . | ALEXIA KOLPODINOU | GRE | BARIQ AL AMAR | 46 | | 2:13:18 |
| . | PEDRO GODINHO | POR | OLIMPICO DA AMEIRA | 103 | | 2:12:18 |
| . | FILIPE FIALHO | POR | SULTANA BEN DANDY | 106 | | 2:00:15 |
I've set up a voice2wav and voice2mp3 translation for use by any who might wish to pass on status of the EuChamp race today. If you have friends (or foe:) at the race site with a cell phone, they can call +352-20203721 in Europe (it's a Luxembourg number) or 1 208 899 4204 in the US if that's more convient (can't imagine it would be). The voice messages will post to: voiceMessages.html if all works well. I've tried to find the real-time timing feed for the race - it
doesn't seem to exist yet, but I'll keep looking. We'll see how
things shake out after the first vet check. If you haven't looked at
the trail yet on Google Earth, take a fly through -- jt
It was a dark and foggy morning...
It\'s dark and FOGGY out there... we\'re headed to the Barroca D\'Alva vetgate in a few minutes - might be a slow drive. Don\'t know if it\'s foggy at the venue (our hotel is 45 minutes north) . If so, could be interesting riding. The first loop is supposed to be fairly rocky and technical. here we go! Steph
It is about to start
Just a note. It\'s 1 hour till start time. The stables are awake and the ponies are restless!
UAE: On A Mission
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter - GulfNews.com Published: September 07, 2007, 23:30  Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, together with Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, will spearhead the UAE's challenge. - Gulf News ArchiveAlcochette, Portugal: The UAE endurance team is on a multi-mission at the 160-km European Open Endurance Championship which kicks off at 6.00am here today. Having won the individual gold and the team gold in 2005, the 6-member UAE team's first task will be their title defence. However, the UAE riders will also be out to avenge a poor display at the 2006 World Equestrian Championship in Aachen, Germany, and with most of the top finishers of that event back in the fray here, an intense tussle for supremacy is on the cards. To add another dimension to the UAE's campaign here today will be their new manager-cum-rider in the form of Mubarak Khalifa Bin Shafya, who has, as part of his team, the Asian gold medal winning quartet of Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum and Sultan Bin Sulayem. While the Mohammad brothers will once again be part of the team, all six riders will take a shot at the three individual medals. Final changeSpeaking to the press after all the UAE horses passed the pre-ride veterinary check, Bin Shafya said, "We did a last-minute change and Shaikh Hamdan will be riding Kevin De Narthou while Sultan Bin Sulayem will be on Nashmi. We are mainly concentrating on the team and our aim is to send out the best horses for the team." Bin Shafya will be riding Zakah Zahara, on whom he won a 160-km ride last month in the build-up while Asian Games bronze medal winner Sultan Bin Sulayem rides Nashmi, the horse that won the Best Conditioned Horse award under His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, when they finished second in the 2005 World Championship. "The horses have been in Newmarket for over three months while I took over about a month back. They have traveled well and we have some very experienced riders. However the opposition is very good and Bahrain and France also have a good chance," Bin Shafya said. The new trainer also warned that it would be a fast ride though the stifling heat will be a major factor. "One can expect the winner to average over 19 kmph and as I am in the race for the individual medals, I will set a fast pace," said Bin Shafya. However the one area of concern will be the final loop which is of 27kms and the UAE riders are generally used to smaller final loops where they gather terrific pace. "Yes that will be a challenge but we have the experience to tackle it," added Bin Shafya. Today's ride will get off to a mass start and will be run in six phases of 34.5 kames, 21.75kms, 27.50kms, 21.75kms, 27.50kms and 27kms. The UAE team with horses: Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum (Jazyk) Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum (Spenda Crest Karnouflage) Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum (Kevin De Narthou) Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum (Kaysand Farrazah) Sultan Bin Sulayem (Nashmi) Mubarak Khalifa Al Shafya (Zakah Zahara) UAE's record in European Open1999- Elvaz-Badacoz (Spain-Portugal): Winner of team gold (Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Rashid, Shaikh Hamdan, Abdullah Bilhab)2001, Castiglione Del Lago, Italy - Individual gold: Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum. Individual silver: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Team gold: UAE (Shaikh Mohammad, Shaikh Rashid, Shaikh Hamdan, Abdullah Bilhab) 2003, Punchestown, Ireland Individual gold: Shaikh Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Individual silver: Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum Individual bronze: Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi 2005, Compiegne, France Individual gold: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum Individual bronze: Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum Team gold: UAE (Shaikh Mohammad, Shaikh Hamdan, Shaikh Mayed)
Dachs and Ponton owes it to their Dubai stint
Dachs and Ponton owes it to their Dubai stint By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter - Gulf News Published: September 07, 2007, 23:30 Alcochette, Portugal: Though Jaume Punti Dachs and his wife Maria Alvarez Ponton are from neighbouring Spain, the couple owes much of their presence here in the European Open Championship to their residence in Dubai. Jaume Dachs is one of the trainers of endurance horses for His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Maria is a work rider. Both have been based in Dubai for several years and have been riding Shaikh Mohammad's horses in the domestic as well as the international circuit and have now qualified to represent Spain. "I will be riding the same horse on which I came fourth in the 2006 World Endurance Championship in Aachen," said Jaume, who will be one of the favourites for the title here. "Maria has had a brilliant season in 2006-07 in the AE and she will be riding a 12-year-old gelding Nobby," said Jaume, who quickly thanked Shaikh Mohammad for his support. "Riding and training horses in the UAE, where the riders are of a very high standard has kept me going. Maria began to take part in competitive rides last season. Nobby has done well in rides in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and France," he said. Jaume's mount Elvis Ahb has also tasted success in Dubai, Abu Dhabi before finishing fourth in the last world championship in 2006.
Qatar Challenge boasts of a strong line up
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter - Gulf News Published: September 07, 2007, 23:30 Alcochette, Portugal: Today's 160-km FEI European Open Endurance Championship for the Qatar Challenge boasts of a strong line up that could very well pass off as that of a world championship. While the five UAE riders in the 6-member team comprise a former world champion, two European Open champions, an Asian gold and bronze medalists and together have won over four team gold medals in the European Open Championship - starting off as the favourites. The French are also represented by one of their strongest teams with reigning world team champions Virginie Atger on Kangoo D'aurabelle, Philippe Benoit on Akim Du Boulve and Pascale Dietsch on Hifrane Du Barthas back here with the same horses after their 2006 triumph. Tough rivals Adding to their might is 2002 World Team gold medal winner Jean Phillippe Frances on Hanaba Du Bois. The Dubai-based Spaniard Jaume Punti Dachs is back on Elvis Ahb after their 4th place finish in the 2006 World Championship while Belgium's Kristel van den Abeele, European champion in 2005 is back to defend her title. Bahrain's Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa is on Basic Instinct while Shaikh Duaij Bin Salman Al Khalifa on Shar Rushkin, both in the top 15 in Aachen, while Shaikh Nasser won the Asian silver medal in Doha last December. The Swiss quartet of Anna Lena Wagner, Nora Wagner, Urs Wenger and Veronika Munger Jannik - silver medalist in 2005 Euros and silver medalist in 2006 World Championship are back with some of the same horses to spice up the chase for team honours.
Photo by Merri MeldeMaggie Maguire has reported that all the horses have passed the initial vetting. The final team has been selected and consists of * Sally Hall on Sire De Bozouls * Fiona Hamilton on Sharifa * Nicky Sherry on Shimmering Blue Jasmine * Chris Yeoman on Farouk De Lozelle. Riding as individuals are * Susan Hawes on Jade Rani * Jayme Bone on Krayaan Jesra
Bahrain Ready
 Royal Endurance Team set for Lisbon event BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team continued their training in Portugal for the FEI European Endurance Championship Open scheduled for tomorrow at 8.30am (Bahrain time), in Companhia das Lezirias, Lisbon. The team, led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, had a practice session yesterday at the endurance village in Lisbon ahead of the upcoming six-stage event which will be over 160 kms. The first stage will be over 35 kms, 23 kms for the second and fourth stages, while 27 kms is for the third, fifth and sixth. Other riders representing the Bahraini team are Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, Yousif Taher, Mohammed Abdulaziz, Ghazi Al Dossary and Raed Mahmood. Bahrain will be among top teams in the fray, including three GCC squads - the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The UAE team will be captained by Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoom, Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoom, Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoom, Sultan bin Saleem and Mubnarak bin Shafa. Qatar will be represented by six riders - Fahad Al Hajry, Isa Al Mannai, Abdulla Al Sulaiti, Abdulla Al Harbi, Hamad Al Ardi and Atta Mohammed. Prince Fahad bin Abdulla Al Saudi will lead a four-member Saudi Arabia's team of Bader Al Fard, Humood Al Shimmiri and Abdulla Bahim. A meeting for the participating riders will be held today, to be followed by a three-hour veterinary inspections. The Portuguese Equestrian Federation, represented by its vice-president, Paulo Branco, signed a deal last January with Qatar Foundation to sponsor the championship. The event was officially presented in Qatar in a press conference. Following the many applications, Portugal was the country chosen by the International Equestrian Federation to organise the championship. EnduranceEurope.net Coverage
Vet-In Day
  The Vetting InIt's a hazy, warm, muggy Portuguese morning as the teams assemble with their horses for the vetting in for tomorrow's championship ride. The atmosphere (so far) seems to lack tension, and the vet check flows smoothly, with officials directing horse and groom traffic, taking the entries into the vetting area team by team. After they pass the vet check they are fitted with an electronic timer around their neck, and their numbers written on their butts with the grease pens. A few horses are wound up enough at the trot out they have to do it twice (or three times), but that's mostly because they've been separated from their buddies. The American horses look good and rested after their long journey. [More ...]
The Show Begins!
The Opening | The fun and chaos of a European Endurance Championship! Steph misses one of her flights due to insane security lines in London-Gatwick, there is no rent-a-car place at the airport that I rented a car from, I call the hotel and they have shuttle, and then they don't have a shuttle, the new hotel is so far out the taxi service is not quite sure how to get there or what to charge. I finally get to the hotel, throw everything all over mine and Steph's room (she will think a tornado hit), grab my gear, take another looooooooooong taxi ride to the venue (later one of the Swiss team said, ?I think your taxi driver was just driving you in biiiiiiiiiiiiiig circles, for fun!?), and once I'm there I realize I have forgotten some of my equipment.
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Horses' progress to be tracked with GPS chips
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter Gulf News Alcochette, Portugal: Horses taking part in tomorrow's 160-km FEI European Open Championship will be fitted with a GPS chip in their collars to keep track of their progress. "This is the first time that a GPS system will be used in a major endurance championship and this has been done at the initiative of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation," said Hallvard Sommerseth, the Foreign Technical Delegate for the championship. Insight The Norwegian veteran of endurance rides said the introduction of the GPS will help keep track of the runners at various stages of the competition. The move will aid in ensuring the welfare of the horse as well as it will give organisers insight into how the runners are faring. In endurance the horses run in stages of about 30 to 40kms at a stretch and are subjected to stiff veterinary checks after every stage to ensure their welfare. In between the stages the horses are given about 20 to 30 minutes to recover for the next stage. "The European Championship will also be bigger and better this year as there will be live coverage of the event on Portuguese TV as well as Dubai and Qatar TV channels," Sommerseth added. The move will aid in ensuring the welfare of the horse as well as it will give organisers insight into how the runners are faring.
UAE the team to beat
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter Gulf News  Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum , Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum and Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum will lead the UAE's challenge, along with Sultan Bin Sulayem in tomorrow's 160-km endurance ride in the World Endurance Games. Alcochette, Portugal: Nearly 90 riders from 20 countries will start tomorrow's 160-km FEI European Open Endurance Championship here about 25 kms away from the capital Lisbon and the team to beat will be the United Arab Emirates. Ever since the UAE won its first-ever international championship, which was here in Portugal when the 1999 European Open championship was jointly held with Spain, the UAE riders have dominated the open category. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was the architect of that first win in 1999 when the UAE won the team gold and after that the UAE has virtually dominated the Open championships. Shaikh Mohammad himself won the 2003 individual gold in 2003 while Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum won the individual gold in 2001 and now Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum starts as defending champion having won the gold in Compiegne, France in 2005. Medal fight Shaikh Mohammad announced the team last month which includes Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Sultan Bin Sulayem and Mubarak Khalifa Bin Shafya. The 160-km European Championship will have medals on offer for the Open event as well as the European event and the UAE will be challenged by traditional European powers France, Italy, Germany and hosts Portugal while two other GCC countries, Bahrain and Qatar along with the US add another dimension to the medal fight. Ali Moosa, Endurance Head at the Dubai Equestrian Club said the UAE horses have been based in Newmarket through the summer and have been well prepared for the event. The UAE, who last swept honours in the Doha Asiad winning the team gold and the individual gold and bronze are once again expected to be a strong force here. Strong advantage While the final team composition and the horses will be known today after the final pre-event veterinary check, the championship has attracted a strong field of 90 entries with at least 14 countries in the team championship. Hosts Portugal will have a strong advantage as they will have 12 runners in the fray while all other countries will have just six. Italian and former world silver medallist Fausto Fiorucci, who won a 160-km event at the same venue last year is back on the same horse Jaifar. "It is really hot and one can expect a fast race. When I won we averaged around 18 kmph and you can expect a faster race tomorrow. The UAE will be the team to beat." Paul Branco, Vice President of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation said, "The venue is one of the best. With the river Tejo along with its estuary a |
