Endurance is not an easy sport, although riders compete for the “fun” of it.  In the USA there are no large purses or fantastic awards. Most of the time there is only a piece of tack or buckle to remember the ride by. The greatest reward comes from the accomplishment of finishing the distance with a horse that is “fit to continue”.

The sport outside of the USA is taking on another point of view. To be First and Win is the goal. Europe and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have taken the sport, which began in the USA to another level They have streamlined it, gentrified it, groomed the courses, which has made them faster, thus creating a spectator event. This new face of the sport is the way of the WORLD competitions.

The USA held the distinction of being number 1 on the World Circuit for many years. We developed the sport and dominated it. Since 1996, the USA has fallen substantially back in the rankings, no longer the leader, but no longer even in the top ten countries that compete.

In order to accomplish this, individuals like myself and my team need your support. The time is now to make our move.

“On Dec 6, 2005, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body of equestrian sport, announced the selection of the United States, specifically, Lexington, Kentucky, as the site of the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the national governing body for equestrian sport, submitted the bid on behalf of the Kentucky Horse Park and The Commonwealth of Kentucky, as the host venue for the competition.

The World Equestrian Games, held every four years, are comprised of the world championships for eight equestrian sports - show jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, reining, vaulting, endurance and para-equestrian. The inaugural games were held in 1990 in Stockholm, Sweden, and have never taken place outside of Europe. The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010™ in Kentucky will represent the largest equestrian sporting event ever held in the United States”

The UAE has been instrumental in the rapid growth of the sport on an International level. France and other European countries have followed suit developing their teams through government support, removing the financial restrictions from many would be top competitors.

In the USA the financial burden falls directly on the horse owner and rider. In order for a USA horse and rider team to compete on an International level they must first be a member of the Federation Equestrian International (FEI) and then compete in FEI sanctioned rides. Because of the added cost and travel of competing in FEI rides, most US riders elect to just compete nationally, and many great horse and rider teams are never allowed to develop.

In Europe, the majority of rides are  sanctioned by the individual countries' National Federation but generally follow the same rules and protocol of FEI events, giving the competitor the experience of a high level ride without them being sanctioned by FEI.  In the USA, the majority of rides are sanctioned by our National organization AERC,. The rules and protocol in the AERC, are less stringent than FEI, catering more to the philosophy of the USA, "to finish is to win" and not towards the top competitor. Because of this, our  horses and riders can only gain the experience at the International level by going to FEI events.

France has approximately 40 FEI sanctioned rides a year. In the entire USA, there are 7 FEI sanctioned rides in 2007.

For a USA rider to qualify to compete in World events, they must first compete as a horse and rider team in FEI rides on US soil. This entails traveling often times out of state and most of the time across the country. Once they are ranked, they must maintain their ranking over several years between events to then possibly make the US team.  From there they are posed with the logistics and financial needs to transport their horses out of the country. There is some support that comes from the USEF, usually nominal and the majority of funding comes from privately raising money on a per rider basis.

To better chances of making the short list of the US Endurance Training Team, having multiple horses ready to compete, is imperative. Many riders have one horse that they are campaigning. The margin for success widens with multiple horses.

The Riders Ranking List will be revolving and updated from the time of it's completion in November 2007 to just prior to the Kentucky World Equestrian Games in 2010.

Now is the time I NEED to ask for ASSISSTANCE from my friends, family and Community.

Endurance Racing is not a sponsored sport for the most part. There is no assistance from the US federation until we are named the final 5, and perhaps a small level of assistance at the final 10.

We as riders are expected to compete around the country sometimes for several years to qualify our horses, spend oodles of money in dues, entry fees, passport fees, fei fees, time, etc And still be able to take off 8 weeks to dedicate to the Selection Process, living in your horse trailer, camping with your horse, usually away from friends and family.
Last year alone we traveled through 19 states.
Some riders have gotten this far and have run out of funds or stamina. Or both.

I am determined to take it to the end, and now that I do see the light at the end of the tunnel, I feel like I have as good a shot as the next, to make it.

Tamara Friend and HOLD YOUR HORSES has so graciously offered to help with a Fund Raiser for me.

It will be held on;
DATE: July 25,2010
3-6 pm

6350 Chesebro Rd. Agoura, ca 91301

I hope to see you all there.
I know that we are in hard economic times but, If you cannot make it and would like to contribute, anything at all would be greatly appreciated.

Below you will find a wish list of actual items needed, checks are also welcome.

My many thanks to everyone. Please keep me in your thoughts over the next few months.

I will keep it all posted on Malibu Endurance Facebook page. Please become a Fan.

Ride Smart, Ride Tough,
Charisse

WISH LIST

Airline tickets OR frequent flyer mileage…
Will need 7 round trip tickets

Room and board for crew in Illinois and Kentucky

Horse boarding before, during and after Selection Trials

Diesel to and from events

Organic fly spray 1 Gallon

Sterile Hydrating fluids for Horse (100 litres)

Show Sheen 1 Gallon

Case of Coconut water

Couple of cases of Smart Water

Legend shot

Adequan 7 day dose

Garmin GPS 310

Checks can be made out to:
Malibu Endurance
6063 Fairview PlaCE
Agoura, Ca 91301
Links:
www.alltechfeigames.com/

Assist us in competing in the World Cup Games. We hope to stand on the podium in 2010.
For more information on how you can help, please contact us at: info@malibuendurance.com