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[RC] Presidents Cup update - Steph Teeter

The last of the horses just went through the veterinary inspection. I don't
think a starter list has been compiled yet, but they were expecting close to
100 horses to enter. This is the only 160km ride on the UAE calendar, so
it's a big deal. In order to compete at the championship level, every horse
and rider has to obtain a 'certificate of capability' or 'COC' by completing
a 160km ride in a time of 13:20 or less. With only one 160km rider on the
calendar, everybody that wants a COC will be here. I was told that they
lowered the entry qualifications this year, so that more could participate.
Many will be here with the goal of earning their COC, and won't have their
eyes on the prize money. $2 million durham in prize money - that's over
$500k. Thats a lot of incentive to race. The vets will be vigilant.

There aren't many foreign riders here, compared to years past. Two riders
each from Italy, Germany, Portugal, France, United Kingdom, Australia and
United States. I don't now how the other riders fared, but there will only
be one starter for the USA. Sue Summers' horse Mags Motivated wasn't allowed
to start due to lameness. Very subtle, but there. He had a reaction to an
adequan shot earlier in the week, in the left chest muscle, and was quite
sore for a bit, but they thought he was over it. Apparently not. Sue and
Dennis are pretty bummed, but I'm sure they'll be out there crewing all day
for Meg Sleeper and her horse Shirroco Troilus 'Troy' who vetted in fine.
They were planning on riding together, so now Meg and Troy will either have
to find another buddy, or do it on their own. Meg wasn't worried about
riding alone, she said Troy goes well with or without company, as long as
she can keep him under control in the beginning, he'll do fine. When these
horses travel such long distances together, and are stabled in foreign
places together they get very bonded, and having a buddy for psychological
company can really help.

Sheikha Madiya's horse Solid As A Rock, the 11 year old stallion that she
completed with last year, vetted through fine. She will be riding with her
Irish friend Brenda Cooke. Brenda manages a rehabilitation stable for
horses. Sheikh Mohamed sends horses to her that need physical or mental
rehab, she keeps them for as long as is needed, perhaps years, and makes
them whole again. She's also a local endurance competitor and has been a
great resource for Madiya.

more later -

Steph



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