The Highs and Lows of Endurance at WEG

New
Zealand endurance riders and supporters felt the full gambit of emotions today
at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. 
Nelson farmer Alison Higgins rode the last two loops of
the 160-kilometre race with a suspected broken thumb after her horse Twynham El
Omar bit her when she tried to move his food bowl during a break.
 
She
was well on target for at least a top 20 individual finish, but the bite meant
she missed her scheduled start by around half an hour and was forced to ride
much of the rest of the race one handed.
 
However, she still managed to work her way up through
the 108 strong field from 60th in the first loop, to 51st,
41st, 33rd and finally 26th in the final
lap.
 
New
Zealand's team hopes were dashed early when Bradley McGregor (owned by Chris
King) ridden by Debby Worsfold (Rangiroa) was vetted out after the first loop.
It was heartbreaking for all, but within 10 minutes, the 25-year-old was helping
her team mates prepare for their races.
 
Worsfold said her horse had stumbled slightly on uneven
ground around 10kms from home but had continued quite happily. The stringent vet
checking picked up a fetlock injury and her first world games were all over
after just 32.5kms.
 
From
then on it became an individual affair for Higgins and Jenny Chandler (Te
Awamutu) on Lace and Fineness.
 
The
weather was almost perfect, with the heat of the previous days gone and a kind
breeze blowing keeping temperatures down.
 
Higgins' looked to be the Kiwi's best hope but the bite
nearly put paid to her even finishing the race. 
 
But
this seasoned South Islander said it was still a dream come true to compete at
the games. She paid tribute to her horse and support crew, whose job it is to
get the horse cooled off between the six loops, his heart rate below 64 and
Higgins nourished and supple.
 
“If I
hadn't let my guard down, we would have done a whole lot better – I was on a
mission well and truly,” says Higgins, who completed the race in 9 hours, 20
minutes and 46 seconds.
 
Chandler was also chasing her dream, but it was not to
be. Despite completing the 160kms she was vetted out at the final gate.
 
Endurance chef d'equipe Madonna Harris said she was
very pleased with Higgins' performance. She too credited the vet and crews with
hard work and dedication in looking after the horses so well.
 
The
endurance was won by the current world champion Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton
(Spain) on her plucky little horse Nobby, with HH Sheik Mohammad bin Rashid Al
Maktoum (UAE), the ruler of Dubai, second on Ciel Oriental, and his son HE Sheik
Hamdan bin Mohammad Al Maktoum (UAE) third on Sas Alexis.
 
The
winning time was 7 hours, 35 minutes and 44 seconds, with the sheik on 7 hours,
36 minutes and 39 seconds.
 
There
were around 55 combinations eliminated or withdrawn from the race as either the
vets ruled them unable to continue, or the riders made the decision to call it
quits.
 
Next
for the New Zealanders is the eventing, with Mark Todd, Andrew Nicholson,
Caroline Powell, Clarke Johnstone and Jonathan Paget facing their trot up on
Wednesday (US time). The dressage will be the first discipline for the three day
eventers, followed by the cross country and finally showjumping.
 
New
Zealand also has a showjumping team at the games.
 
The
World Equestrian Games, which have their opening ceremony on Saturday, are being
hosted in Lexington, Kentucky, and run through until October 10. New Zealand is
represented in showjumping and eventing as well as endurance. 
 
It is
the first time the games have been held outside of Europe and will attract more
than 800 riders from nearly 60 countries. It is expected to be worth around
$US150 million to the economy.
 
- Diana Dobson, Media Liason, NZ Team

Posted by:
Anne Vallance

WEG News from Kentucky

The Highs and Lows of Endurance at WEG
Tuesday, 28 September 2010

WEG News from Kentucky

The Highs and Lows of Endurance at WEG Tuesday, 28 September 2010

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The Highs and Lows of Endurance at WEG
Tuesday, 28 September 2010