Biggest endurance ride billed for the coast

THE largest endurance horse ride in Namibia will take place in Walvis Bay on August 31, with 121 horses expected to compete.

The different distances in which riders will compete are 130 km, 93.6 km, 62,6 km and 28.5 km. The largest group entered are 85 horses for the 130 km.The ride will consist of five different routes, varying from 29 to 34 km in length.After each leg, eight vets will check the vital signs of the horses, and only after being found fit will the horse be allowed to continue on the next leg of the competition.This ride is registered as an international FEI ride, which means riders will be able to qualify for the international ranking list with this ride.Walvis Bay is becoming popular as an endurance ride venue, resulting in many riders from South Africa and Botswana entering the competition.There will also be an official team competition between the senior and junior teams of South Africa and Namibia.In 2004, the Namibian senior and junior teams won, and this year they stand a good chance to repeat the feat.Two riders from the Netherlands are competing in the race on local horses.Patrizia Ciaferoni from Italy will also be riding a Namibian horse.Many of the horses and riders are expected to arrive in Walvis Bay from tomorrow, as the horses need time to adapt to the climate.The official Namibian junior and senior teams will be selected on Monday, August 29.This year, there is an experienced group of riders on the shortlist for Namibia: For the senior team, the shortlisted riders are: Silke Bezuidenhout, Karel Gruenschloss, Udo von Schauroth, Hannelie Coetzee, Armin van Biljon, André Pitout, Piet Nel, Stefanus Pienaar, Johan Kriel, Reynald Schurz, Josef Waters and Andries Jooste The shortlisted junior riders are Jan Brink, Lauren Davidson, Pierre de Witt, Kobus Jooste, Eric Horaseb, Hannelie Nel, Wanette Hanekom, Martin Schurz, David van Niekerk, Niel van Wyk, Christine Vermeulen, Izolde von Schauroth and Barbara Wiesner The main sponsors of the event are Atlantic Meat Market, Voermeester, Bokomo and Animal FedcoThe largest group entered are 85 horses for the 130 km. The ride will consist of five different routes, varying from 29 to 34 km in length. After each leg, eight vets will check the vital signs of the horses, and only after being found fit will the horse be allowed to continue on the next leg of the competition.This ride is registered as an international FEI ride, which means riders will be able to qualify for the international ranking list with this ride.Walvis Bay is becoming popular as an endurance ride venue, resulting in many riders from South Africa and Botswana entering the competition. There will also be an official team competition between the senior and junior teams of South Africa and Namibia. In 2004, the Namibian senior and junior teams won, and this year they stand a good chance to repeat the feat.Two riders from the Netherlands are competing in the race on local horses.Patrizia Ciaferoni from Italy will also be riding a Namibian horse. Many of the horses and riders are expected to arrive in Walvis Bay from tomorrow, as the horses need time to adapt to the climate.The official Namibian junior and senior teams will be selected on Monday, August 29. This year, there is an experienced group of riders on the shortlist for Namibia: For the senior team, the shortlisted riders are: Silke Bezuidenhout, Karel Gruenschloss, Udo von Schauroth, Hannelie Coetzee, Armin van Biljon, André Pitout, Piet Nel, Stefanus Pienaar, Johan Kriel, Reynald Schurz, Josef Waters and Andries Jooste The shortlisted junior riders are Jan Brink, Lauren Davidson, Pierre de Witt, Kobus Jooste, Eric Horaseb, Hannelie Nel, Wanette Hanekom, Martin Schurz, David van Niekerk, Niel van Wyk, Christine Vermeulen, Izolde von Schauroth and Barbara Wiesner The main sponsors of the event are Atlantic Meat Market, Voermeester, Bokomo and Animal Fedco