Australia 2012 World Endurance Championship News

Talea's Return - Video

Posted Fri Sep 14, 2012 8:18pm AEST

Talea Hasko-Stewart says thanks to Canberra for supporting her and horse Bombora in the international endurance riding competition.

Mixed results for Australia at the World Endurance Championships

Friday, 24 August 2012

There were mixed results for the four member Australian team at the 2012 World Endurance Championships which were held at Euston Park (GBR) on Saturday.

In the Australian camp the day belonged to 17 year old Alexandra Toft and her nine year old mare Emily Jones te, which were the sole Australian combination to complete the gruelling 160 kilometre, six phase event in 52nd position. The combination got caught in a fierce thunderstorm towards the end of the race which later caused the event to be abandoned.

Alexandra’s mother, Penny Toft (Travina), a three time representative at this level, made the decision to retire from the race at the end of the third phase, citing tiredness as the reason.

Australia’s two remaining combinations Norbert Radny (West Coast Acharon) and Talea Hasko-Stewart (Blake’s Heaven Bombora) were also unfortunate not to make it to the finish line. Norbert fell from his horse mid-way through the event while Talea’s horse was ruled to be lame at the end of the first phase.

Just 73 of the 147 horse and rider combinations which started the event went on to finish.

“This just proves flat ain’t always easy,” Talea said on her Facebook page the day following the event.

“There was a mixture of disappointment, relief and ignited dreams in our camp today. Bombora seems to be fully recovered from his mild tie up, for which we're very grateful,” she added.

Competitors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) claimed team gold and all three individual medals.

Aussie Team Update

All four horses have recovered from the long trip and although they have been exercised with light rides and hand walks they are all now doing good work. In the next few days they each will do longer and faster sessions ahead of tapering. The horses have great stables and paddocks. The training trails are excellent and we have a nice marked 20 klm loop.

We will allocate someone to provide updates during the race and will advise where that information can be found.

The grass is lush and green so although the horses have enjoyed it, we are limiting the grazing.

Penny,Talea and Norbert are at Riddlesworth and Alexandra arrives on Sunday.

Regards
Peter

Endurance horses settle into their Suffolk training base ahead of World Championships

Thursday, 16 August 2012

The team of horses which have travelled to the UK for the World Endurance Championships are settling into their temporary accommodation at the Riddlesworth Equestrian Centre in Suffolk.

The four horses arrived in the UK last Thursday ahead of the World Endurance Championships which take place on 25 August.

“All four horses have recovered from the long trip and have been exercised with light rides and hand walks. They are doing good work and in the next few days they will do longer and faster sessions,” said Chef d’Equipe Peter Toft.

“The horses have great stables and paddocks and the training trails are excellent – we have a nice marked 20 kilometre loop,” he added.

“The grass here is lush and green so although the horses have enjoyed it, we are limiting the grazing,” Toft said.

Riders Penny Toft, Talea Haskow-Stewart and Norbert Radney have arrived at camp with Alexandra Toft due to arrive later this week.

Another Australian Withdraws from the WEC

The Australian Endurance Team has had another blow to its preparation today, when Ondy (Andrea Laws King) on medical advice has withdrawn from the Australian Endurance Team.
Ondy had a nasty fall from her Horse last weekend.

We thank her for conducting herself in a professional manner and wish her a speedy recovery.

Regards
Peter Toft.
Chef d Equippe
Australian Endurance Team

******

The horses leave Australia with Chef Peter Toft from Melbourne on August 8th.

Penny and grooms will leave several days before together with Norbert and Jane, Talea and family.

This is a reduced team and certainly not what was planned, however, what we may miss in numbers we will make up with experience, with Penny the veteran of many WC’s , not having missed one since Compeigne in 2000, Alexandra having been a team member in 2009 at Babolna and a groom at WC’s since before she could walk almost, Norbert and Jane experienced the highs and lows at Kentucky 2 years ago and have well and truly got the bug! Talea and family will have to experience all before them.

We wish the Team every success, and will try and keep everyone posted.

Barbara Macdonald
Manager
Australian Endurance Squad

*******

On Behalf of the Australian Endurance Team to contest the 2012 World Endurance Championships, I would like to sincerely thank the Arabian Horse Society of Australia, it’s Board and members for providing each of the five horses with a AHSA team rug.

I would like to acknowledge the AHSA’s support to all our teams at World Equestrian Games and World Endurance Championships over the past two decades.

Our 2012 team, like most other teams, consists of Australian Arabian Horses and this team will go as teams before representing all that is good about Australian Arabians with their amazing athleticism. Our representative team is a credit to the many Australian breeders who, whilst acknowledging the type and beauty of the Arabian horse, also know Arabians are bred to be ridden.

Currently the International component of Endurance in Australia is undergoing considerable reform and the 2012 team is excited to have the honour to represent Australia on the world stage.

Profiles of Horses and Riders will be on the Equestrian Australian website shortly.

Team:

TRAVINA ridden and bred by Penny Toft. Sire Ralvon Amigo S-17258 ( s Milex ) Dam. Traveller.

EMILY JONES te ( A.F.3773 ) ridden by Alexandra Toft, bred by P&P Toft. Sire WN Dasjmir Dam Tallaroon Creo Royarle

WEST COAST ACHARON ( S-21005) ridden by Dr Norbert Radny, bred by J&N Radny. Sire Aquanitor Dam Noran Parmelia

BLAKE’S HEAVEN BOMBORA ( G-25056 ) ridden by Talea Hasko Stewart, bred by H.Riek Sire Shahir ibn Rashan Dam Steveie Nix

Regards
Peter Toft
Australian Endurance Chef 2012

Matthew Sample Withdraws from Australian Team for WEC

Matthew Sample has today announced his withdrawal from the Australian Team for the 2012 World Endurance Championships.

Matthew has kept the Team Vet and myself aware of an unsoundness issue with his horse Brookleigh Ricardo and the decision has been accepted after giving him every opportunity to rectify the problem.

This is disappointing for Matthew after putting in considerable effort to prepare the horse and himself for this level of competition. It is also disappointing for the team to lose one of its valuable combinations.

Regards
Peter Toft
Chef
Australian Endurance Team

Teenager and $200 horse headed to World Endurance Championship

June 20 2012

WHO ARE TALEA & BLAKE'S HEAVEN BOMBORA?

In January 2002 Fia Hasko-Stewart purchased an unwanted Arabian yearling for $200 from a friend. All other buyers had ignored him. Ten years later the horse, Blake’s Heaven Bombora, is one of Australia’s top endurance horses.

It has been a long journey. Endurance is a grueling sport where each competitor rides one horse over long distances (minimum 80kms, up to 160kms in one day). The fastest horse home is the winner, but riders must balance speed with the need to manage their horses’ welfare, as strict vet checks are completed at the start, middle and end of the ride. If the horse fails any vet check, the rider is eliminated.

Talea Haskow-Stewart and Bombora have come up through the ranks of endurance through thousands of hours in the saddle and many thousands of kilometres in training and competition in all conditions - in the pre-dawn dark; the wind, the rain and cold; or blazing heat. They have galloped along forest trails and picked their way down treacherous cliffs, and together they have become a top team.

THE WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Now, after performing outstandingly in qualifying events, Talea and Bombora have been chosen to represent Australia at the highest level– the World Endurance Championships to be held in the UK in August. See http://www.eustonparkendurance.co.uk/ for more information on the event.

WHY TALEA & BH BOMBORA NEED YOUR HELP.

Although in negotiation, endurance riding is not yet in the Olympics and this means there is no government funding for the Australian team. Return airfares for Bombora are $35,000, and estimated total costs for the trip are around $50,000.

Talea isn’t part of a professional endurance business. She’s just a young lady with a lot of passion. Talea has repeatedly declined offers to sell Bombora to Arab sheiks (for whom endurance is as important as thoroughbred racing), although his worth is in six figures.

To allow Talea to bring her best friend home from the UK, she needs help.  Fia and Talea are currently seeking corporate sponsorship, but donations from family, friends, Endurance Riders, and people who are passionate about seeing others realise their dreams, will help make this trip a reality and bring Bombora home.

A Sydney filmmaker, Adeline Gibson, is also traveling with Talea to the WEC and filming a documentary about Talea, BH Bombora & the Aussie Team. Donations of $60 or more will receive a copy of the final film, so you can go on the journey with them.

For more information, or to donate, see:
http://www.pozible.com/index.php/archive/index/6594/description/0/0

Short List for 2012 World Endurance Championship

I am very pleased to have today endorsement from the Equestrian Australia High Performance Manager Brett Mace, on behalf of EA, of the selections of rider and horse combinations made by the panel for the World Senior Endurance Championships, 2012. We are also grateful for EA’s support in administering the processes required to ensure all the official deadlines are met, and in supplying member services to these riders so that they can represent Australia at this event.

So, I am delighted to announce, on behalf of the selection panel of Barb McDonald, Trish Mackay and myself, the short list, in alphabetical order:

Talea Haskow-Stewart and Blake’s Heaven Bombora

Andrea Laws King and Razorback Love Song

Norbert Radny and West Coast Acharon

Matthew Sample and Brookleigh Ricardo

Alexandra Toft and Emily Jones te; reserve horses Travina (and Rupert te, pending final qualification)

Penelope Toft and Travina; reserve horse High Society

All riders and horses have done a wonderful job so far, achieving the stringent qualification standards, engaging with the selection process, and aspiring to represent Australia. We know the team will be in excellent hands, with Chef d’Equipe Peter Toft and team vet Dr Narelle Cribb, and hope that we are all able to support them, in whatever way possible, to achieve their very best.

Peter Toft appointed as interim Chef d'Equipe

Peter Toft has been appointed the interim chef d’equipe for Endurance following the resignation of current chef d’equipe Mark Freeman. Peter will hold the position of interim chef d’equipe until 25th September 2012 following the world endurance championships in August.

Equestrian Australia & AERA would like to thank Mark Freeman for his service and wish Peter the best of luck as the new Chef d’Equipe.

Regards,

Felicity Dubois

Executive Assistant
Equestrian Australia
National Office
felicity.dubois@equestrian.org.au
www.equestrian.org.au

Australia 2012 World Endurance Championship News

AERA.asn.au

March 15 2012

Equestrian Australia are calling for applications for the position of Chef d’Equipe for the World Endurance Championships to be held at Euston Park, Great Britain, in August 2012.

View/download the job description, resume template and nomination form or contact the AERA Secretary, Ieva Peters, email: ieva.peters@bigpond.com or from the AERA website.

Applications must be to the Equestrian Australia (National Office) by no later than 16th April 2012.