Photos:
The USET Squad for the
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The United States has been a dominant force in endurance riding, having won
the individual Gold Medal at every World Championship since the biennial
event was first held in 1986. Additionally, the U.S. won team Gold Medals
in
1988 and 1996, as well as team Silver in 1992 and 1998.
The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects,
trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to
represent our country in major international competition, including the
Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this the USET seeks
out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers and
horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain
their fullest potential. For more information on the USET, please call
(908)
234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.
Press Release from France. April 12
THE CHAMPIONSHIP - 24-27 August 2000
France is hosting the Emirates Airline
World Equestrian Endurance Championship
On May 6, first meeting in Compiegne
France is preparing to host the 2000 edition of the World Endurance Championship, to be held next August. This equestrian discipline is now extremely popular with some 40,000 licence-holders in more than 54 countries. After the heat endured by participants in the last world championship in 1998 on the sandy tracks of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), the temperate climate of continental Europe should offer ideal race conditions.
Rehearsal on May 6
On May 6, "the 160 kilometres of Picardie ", an international endurance ride, will be held in Compiègne. It will serve as a rehearsal covering the same course as the world championship. Most of the competitors in the next world championship will carry out a full-scale. This will also provide an opportunity for the support personnel, comprising some 500 volunteers at the height of the world championship, to become familiar with the venue.
160 kilometres in five loops
150 competitors representing some forty nations are expected to be at the Compiègne hippodrome venue between August 24 and 27, 2000. The competing horse/rider pairs will all start together at 5 a.m. on August 26 from the hippodrome to try to cover the 160 kilometres of trails through the forest of Compiègne (80% of the course), over the loops that will link the imperial city, a long-time residence of Napoleon III, to Pierrefonds, famous for its medieval castle. Nearly ten hours later (the average speed is expected to be 18-19 kilometres/hour), the first rider will cross the finishing line whereas the last will arrive after dark.
The strategy of endurance riders is to manage their horses so as to successfully get through the various "vet gates" which await them at the end of each of the five loops (in the following order: 40 km, 35 km, 30 km, 35 km and 20 km). Before starting out again, the horse must recuperate. The horse's health is the prime concern here. At the slightest sign of lameness the horse is eliminated. This equestrian Super Marathon is run in national teams of four riders (but only the three fastest times are considered for the purposes of team ranking) but also individually. The prize-giving ceremony for the titles will be held Sunday August 27 at the Grand Parc Equestre in Compiègne.
An U.S. / France confrontation?
This year, the stars of endurance will be present - coming from France, the United States, Great Britain, New-Zealand (holder of the world title), the United Arab Emirates (with its 14 places in the first 50 of the 1999 world rankings) - among others. The American champion, Valerie Kanavy, will be coming determined to once again establish her supremacy. But competition from the French, on home ground, could be fierce. Two years ago, they had a hard time. But in Compiègne, on an intricate course dotted with small bumps, strategy will be the key to the race. The "Frenchies", including the European vice-champion, Stéphane Fleury, could well put up quite a fight.
In 1978, when endurance rides began in France, there were a mere hundred riders. Since then, long distance races on horseback through the countryside have experienced an extraordinary boom. Today the French national endurance riding committee, the CNREE, has more than 6000 members showing that a new type of rider has emerged - one who has both staying power and is a nature lover.
Since the first world endurance championship that took place in Italy at Pratoni del Vivaro, American riders' hold on the individual gold medal has gone unchallenged. For the last 6 years, the same family - the Kanavy's from the State of Virginia - has held the title. Valerie, the mother, and Danielle, the daughter, have monopolised the individual gold medal. The team classification for the discipline is dominated, in the following order, by: Great Britain (1986 and 1990), the United States (1988 and 1996), France (1992 and 1994) and New Zealand, defender of the World Champion title won in 1998.
Compiegne, the kingdom of horses
Compiegne, this year's world endurance capital, is a town that is accustomed to major equestrian events, with its international show-jumping competitions and horse trials. It is also the home of the Compiègne National Stud, where stallions stand as guarantors of the standard of French breeding in the Picardy region.
Located to the north of Paris 35 minutes from the Charles-de-Gaulle airport, this university town is making ready to host this world event. Compiègne itself will be the focal point, with the village and stables as well as the starting line, finishing line and vetting location for some of the loops. The hundred or so fixed stables on the hippodrome will be supplemented with spacious temporary stables so as to provide the true athletes in this competition with fine accommodation.
Sponsors and institutional partners
The organisation of the world endurance championship has been made possible thanks to the support and commitment of several private and institutional partners.
Emirates Airline, winner of the 1999 "airline of the year" award, will be sponsoring the championship which will officially bear its name.
The following partners co-operated for the purposes of organising the championship: on the equestrian side - the F.E.I., Fédération Française d'Equitation, the Comité National des Raids Equestres d'Endurance (CNREE), Emirates Endurance World-wide Ranking, the Haras Nationaux, the Comité Régional d'Endurance Equestre de Picardie; on the local authorities side - the town councils of Compiègne and Pierrefonds, the General Council of the Oise département, the Regional Council of Picardy; and on the institutional side - the National Forestry Commission (O.N.F.), the Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries and the Ministry of Youth and Sport.
WEC Pre-ride Results
RIDE RESULTS
USA Volunteer Support Team
Interested in joining the USA Volunteer Support Team traveling to Compiègne, France for the World Endurance Championships on August 26, 2000? Please contact Ellen Betker, 64119 Hunnell Road, Bend OR 97701 . Phone (541) 389-7606 or email: lebetker@outlawnet.com
If you are planning to attend the World Championships to help the USA team in any capacity except as a rider or USET staff member, PLEASE contact Ellen. She will see to it that you receive team housing and rental car information, the team itinerary, and a uniform (hat, shirt, and jacket) for ride day. All potential rider primary crew team members please contact Ellen!
SPONSORS
AERC International is proud to announce Pennfield Feeds as a sponsor of the USA Volunteer Support Team traveling to the World Endurance Championships in Compiegne, France in August, 2000. In addition to their donation, Pennfield will contribute additional funds through their Feed Club Program. For every bag you buy, Pennfield will contribute another 25 cents to the USA Support Team. It all adds up! Just send a copy of your Pennfield Feed receipts to Amanda Taylor, AERC International East Zone representative, 1713 Sawmill Road, Birchrunville, PA 19421. HELP THE USA GO FOR THE GOLD!!
Our USA riders will project a sharp, professional image at the 2000 World Endurance Championships in Compiegne, France thanks in part to the generous donation of uniform equipment by Saddle Bums (Gold Medal Racing tights), Sportack (Halter and leads), and Go the Distance (Biothane ceremonial bridle and breast collar sets). A personal THANK YOU to the great people behind these business’s, Stan and DeAnna Dill, Garrett Ford, and Dominique Freeman.
AERC International appreciates the continued financial support and expertise of Steve and Michele Shaw during this very important World Championship year. Thank you Steve and Michele.
A special thanks to Valerie Kanavy for donating the proceeds of the sale of the 1998 World Championship videos during the AERC Convention which sold out soon after her exciting talk about her World Championship victory.
Mary Lutz, Director for Endurance USET
Rick Stewart DVM, Chef d'Equipe
Tony Benedetti, Assistant Chef d'Equipe
Nancy Elliot DVM, Team Veterinarian
Mike Foss DVM, Assistant Team Veterinarian
Ellen Betker, Volunteer Support Team Coordinator
Jaye Perry, Team Farrier
Linda Tellington Jones, Team Physiotherapist
Bebe Degn, Team Physiotherapist
Becky Hart, Rider Coach
Casandra Schular DVM, Rider Coach
Ona Lawrence, Barn Manager
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JENNIFER NICE ADDED TO USET SQUAD FOR THE ENDURANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
2000 Endurance World Championship
Patti Pizzo of Jamison, Pennsylvania on Savaq,
Melissa Crain of Franklin, Tennessee on Charbiel,
Jan Worthington of Scales Mound, Illinois on GMF Musca Song and
Jazon Wonders of Peteluma, California on Milarepa.
Karen Binns-DiCamillo of New Mexico on SR Sharee
Jennifer Nice of Orange, California on Al Baraaq
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2000 REHEARSAL RIDE
CEI A - COMPIEGNE (FRANCE)
6 MAY 2000
Distance: 160km
117 starters, 41 finishers
Rider Nationality Horse Average speed
1 Hassan Bin Ali UAE Karabil Narmar 17,04
2 Miletto Cecile FRA Dynamik 16,79
3 Frances Jean-Philippe FRA Univers du Verdier 16,14
4 Preveiraud Brigitte FRA Amelie 16,08
5 Lazes Angel FRA Ismael d'Aubanel 15,69
6 Perringerard Maya-Killa FRA Varoussa 15,63
7 Dietsch Pascale FRA Urielle Princiere 15,55
8 Sh Hamdan Bin Mohd Al Maktoum UAE Nelson 15,55
9 Schwartz Cecile FRA Decibelle de Paute 14,61
10 Tomas Philippe FRA Lunatique 14,50
11 Fleury Pierre FRA Madras 14,50
12 Lefevre Klervi FRA Ellios d'Elb 14,11
13 Marescassier Joel FRA Ambora 13,81
14 Holenstein Beatrice SUI Sif 13,68
15 Archen Jacques FRA Belle Scheherazade 13,53
16 Bollon Regine FRA Em'sika 13,22
16 Dupont Vincent FRA Caline de Biar 13,22
18 Casa I Vaque Miguel ESP Edji de Galonne 13,19
19 Branco Paulo POR Eros an Triskell 13,16
20 Bonnet Denis FRA Pirus 12,97
20 Juvin Robert FRA Irifi 12,97
22 Paez Robert FRA Fol Adour 12,93
23 Baumgartner Peter SUI Le Grand Cirque 12,92
24 Johnson Raymond FRA Carmen de Durfort 12,89
25 Mubarak Bin Khalifa Bin Shafya UAE Nina 12,40
26 Arnold Melanie GER Simply the Best 12,31
26 Ashby Marion GBR Fabella 12,31
26 Hitzler Belinda GER Sharia 12,31
29 Dornsiepen Bernhard GER Nico 12,05
30 Franks Elisabeth GBR I'm Pollyanna 12,02
31 Haldemann Gabi SUI Karajan II 11,90
31 Wintersteen Alexandra USA Dream Diabolo 11,90
33 Bunn Shelagh GBR Phylka 11,35
34 Schioppa Roberto BRA Ghenalia 11,34
35 Stewart Lori USA Tawmarsh Tara 11,28
35 Ganster Heike GER Schucks 11,28
37 De Re Dominique BEL Kassandra X 10,96
38 Tyson Yvonne GBR Valinor Park Armistice 10,80
39 Schrader Edgar GER Kimberley 10,80
40 Carlson Gun SWE Radi 10,69
40 Carlson Gunilla SWE Martec 10,69
USA Team Support Staff
P.O. Box 355
Pottersville Rd.
Gladstone, NJ 07934-9957
(908) 234-1251 x15
mlutz@uset.org
Lori Stewart, Rider Coach
886 Pt Phillips Rd
Bath, PA 18014
610-837-2874
rk-ld.stewart@usa.net
Terry Benedetti, Protocal Director
2460 Calistoga Rd.
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(H)(707) 538-8865
(W)(707) 963-5618 , x309
TBen425@aol.com
Ernie Elliot, Team Farrier
4290 Pescadero Rd
Pescadero, CA 94060
(650) 879-0194
hossdoc@southcoast.net
Hood River Alpine Vet Hospital
300 Frankton Rd.
PO Box 421
Hood River, Oregon 97031
(509) 493-2389
shagya@gorge.net
64119 Hunnel Rd.
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 389-7606
lebetker@outlawnet.com
6700 Shady Grove Rd.
Cumming, GA 30041
(770) 889-4388
JShoes4u@aol.com
Hawaii
ltj99@compuserve.com
Pracht, Germany
23100 McKean Rd.
San Jose, CA 95120
(408) 997-0814
randomrio@earthlink.net
2651 D St. EXT
Petaluma, CA 94952-4036
(707) 762-7485
hossdoc@sonic.net
20959 South Jubb Rd.
Estacada, Oregon 97023
(503) 631-8652
dale4leg@cyberhighway.net
Contact: Marty Bauman (508) 698-6810, uset1994@aol.com
Joanna Smith (908) 234-1251, jsmith@uset.org