PRESS REVIEW - REVUE DE PRESSE

Mars/March 2008

17/03: Bahrain 120km... Homarick, El Hafiz

Homarick, cheval belge vendu à Bahrain, vous vous souvenez du cheval ? Le voilà qu'il se classe à la troisième place de la 120km juniors à une très respectable moyenne de plus de 21km/H. El Hafiz, autre cheval vendu l'année dernière à Bahrain est par contre éliminé au 2me vetgate pour boiterie.

17/03: Australie : Première course après l'épidémie de grippe équine

Il semble bien que nos amis australiens sortent tout doucement des affres de cette épidémie de grippe équine, eux qui se croyaient à l'abri des fléaux que nous connaissons et pour lesquels nous vaccinons nos chevaux. Eux ne vaccinaient pas mais étaient très stricts sur leurs procédures d'entrée dans le pays.

Press ReleaseTonimbuk Gold Cup IncMelbourne, Victoria, 14/3/08FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact Person: Helen WardCompany Name: Tonimbuk Gold
Cup IncTelephone: 0438 59 4285Email: hiward@bigpond.com
Victorian endurance riders give course the thumbs upRiders and organisers have
hailed Victoria's first endurance ride following Australia's crippling
equine influenza outbreak a raging success largely due to the fantastic
course. The 80 km ride which forms part of the 2009 Tom Quilty course
commenced at Yarrabubba Reserve, Nar Nar Goon (about 1 hour south east
of Melbourne) and traversed roads and tracks throughout the picturesque
countryside of the Bunyip State Park and surrounds. Without exception,
riders gave the course the thumbs up. Equal first in the middleweight
division, Meg Wade from Castlebar Arabian Endurance Horses rated the
track as great. "Much of the course passed through bush providing cover
and shade for horses and riders. It was well marked, checkpoints well
placed and good under foot," she said.Jennifer Green from Flying Circus
Endurance Horses agreed. "The course was horse and rider friendly. It
provided a variety of terrain, it was safe with wide trails and all
weather surfaces under foot."Event organiser, Lissy Verity was
delighted with the response and turnout. "It was a great start to the
2008 endurance riding season. Over 50 riders competed. They were given
the choice to compete in the 80 km or 40 km ride and it worked out at
about 50/50," she said. "There were several first timers which was
great to see, but the vast majority of entries were from experienced
riders just keen to get back into it.Crossing the line first in the
Lightweight Division with line honors was Belinda Kolek riding Colhaven
Zaheera (4hrs.26min), second was Amily Daw on China Doll (4hrs.44min)
and third was Shandal Bengtsson riding Kedarona Kliche (5hrs.34min).
Amily also took out the Best Conditioned award.Meg Wade on Castlebar
Balik and James Sheehan riding Woodbourne Edmund took out the
Middleweight Division in equal first place completing the course in
4hrs.28 min. Asher Batty on Tierview Maverick placed third in
4hrs.44min.The Heavyweight Division saw Ken Bradley on Phoenix Park
Epona placed first (5hrs.02), Martin Mizzi riding Sutket Farm Damareef
second (5hrs.20min) and Carl Adamson on Bowzatus third
(5hrs.40min).Budding 12 year old endurance rider Nikita VerspannDonk
stole the show. "On her first 40 km ride she rode the whole way
bareback," said Ms Verity. Not surprisingly Nikita received the
Tonimbuk Gold Cup Inc Encouragement award.The majority or horses vetted
through despite the hot, dry conditions on the day; a testament to the
courage, ability and stamina of the horses, the majority of which were
Arabian, and the skill and strategy of the rider. "Many used this event
as a training ride following the recent layoff," said seasoned
endurance rider, Bob Punicki from Brieema Endurance Arabians. "The
course was not to hard and not to easy. It provided an opportunity for
horses that were not 100 per cent fit to compete on a good course that
offered variety, was good under foot with minimum bitumen and plenty of
shade."There was a really good vibe at this ride according to Jennifer
Green. "Everyone seemed delighted to be back doing what we love,
whether that be riding, strapping, TPRing, vetting or doing one of the
other 101 tasks essential for a successful ride," she said. "It was so
good to catch up with everyone after such a long lay off, to just stand
around talking horse with old friends and new ones too."It was then
time to head home and reflect, not only on the results but also on the
entire experience. And in particular on our wonderful horses whose
stamina, beauty and character are unequalled.