16 April 2017, Abu Dhabi, UAE ~ Another endurance season has ended in the UAE as the temperatures are creeping up to 40 degrees.

The Boudheib Initiative has been very successful throughout our 2016/17 winter season and is helping the sport to return to its origins whilst the Best Endurance Challenge Award (BECA) is providing a good basic structure for the future Welfare of the Endurance Horse.

At the Boudheib Village, natural tracks now form up to 45% of some loops and are slowing down speeds naturally. The strict 20kph speed rules, the 56 bpm heart rate, and 10 minute presentation time are also having the desired effect.  It seems that the horses, riders and trainers are becoming more accustomed to riding and training for these trails and everyone is starting to enjoy the BECA challenge.

The very successful Boudheib Worldwide Conference took place in Boudheib in March 2017, with many international endurance guests taking part. The direct outcome of the Conference is that many countries are implementing the Boudheib Initiative worldwide, many requesting the use of the Boudheib Rules, and BECA (Best Endurance Challenge Award) in their competitions. We are proud to announce seven international endurance events supported by His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan that will continue the Boudheib Rules in the UAE until the end of 2027.

Boudheib’s International season will begin on 27 May 2017, in South Africa. PWC Sondela Endurance Event Organizer Susan Koekemoer expects a total of 200 horses and riders to take part in three categories: 40km, 80km and a 120km using Boudheib’s BECA. The BECA protocol will run alongside their own National event and CEI1*. They are expecting participation from Botswana competitors who will travel over 350km to take part in the event. An invitational team competition between Botswana and local South African club teams has been added that will promote International spirit between teams which will consist of five riders in the 80km. The five will predict their riding time and the team closest to their predicted time will win the team competition.

The PWC Sondela Endurance Ride, hosted by Premier Equestrian Club, has been held in the beautiful Sondela Nature Reserve in the Limpopo Province of South Africa for the past 15 years. The success of the event can be attributed to the professionalism of the event organization, the beauty of the trail within the Sondela Nature Reserve and the luxury accommodation offered by Sondela for the entire family, not just the competitors, to enjoy the event. Annual new initiatives at the event are always explored to maintain horse and rider interest.

Premier Equestrian Club’s mantra is “progress through innovation” and this compliments the visions of the Boudheib Initiative. The mutual collaboration of the two entities and generosity of HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan will, without doubt, enhance every riders experience at the PWC Sondela Endurance event.

Premier Equestrian Club will be posting regular updates leading up to the event on Facebook and anyone wanting to follow the event is welcome to send a “friend request” to Premier Equestrian Club.

https://www.facebook.com/boudheib

2017 Boudhieb Initiative Proposed International Calendar of Events

Pretoria, South Africa – 27 May – Organiser: SAIC, Susan Koekemoer
Dwingaloo, Netherlands –  10 June – Organiser, Frans van’t Zand
Marbech, Germany –  21 July – Organiser, Ahmed Samarraie
Aachen, Germany –  22 August – Organiser, Nils Ischmer
Florac, France –  10 September – Organiser, Jean Paul Boudon
Jordan –  15 November –  Organiser, Princess Alia of Jordan
Cat Springs, Texas, USA – 30- 31 December – Organiser, Emmett Ross

For more information contact: Leigh Young, email: [email protected]

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