Endurance Riding in the Desert

The Young Riders World Championships were staged in the Kingdom of Bahrain on 17th December 2005. One hundred and forty one riders along with all manner of crew and helpers representing 31 federations descended on the tiny Kingdom around 2nd of December. The horses were flown from Maastricht Airport and remained in quarantine at the designated barns with two fulltime treatment vets on hand throughout their stay. Tracks were carved into the desert sand for daily exercise with horses from each barn using designated tracks each day. The venue was purpose built with state of the art timing systems and veterinary treatment area with 20 trot up lanes. The Opening Ceremony was a splendid affair held at the Bahrain International Motor Circuit and the organising committee entertained all competitors and visitors on several occasions including a trip to see Arab Horse Racing, camel riding and the BMW World championships at Bahrain International Motor Circuit.

Throughout the run-up to the race the weather was around 30 degrees on average with warm sunshine and little or no breeze. Bahrain is also known for its heavy mists and race day was to be no exception. After a warm and bright start to the day during the middle stages of the race riders had to find their way around the course in thick fog which reduced visibility to several yards along with strong winds with gusts of blowing the sand in almost blizzard like conditions. This did not deter Fahed Suiaiman representing Bahrain as he took individual gold with a total riding time of five hours, thirty eight minutes, reaching speeds of up to 22.78 kms per hour and average presentation times of two minutes. Team gold was won by Australia. Ireland’s representatives were Emily Miller riding Tahinni and Philip Giles riding Miller’s Light who were sponsored by Thoroughbred Remedies Ireland and Blue Grass Horse Feeds. Unfortunately the luck of the Irish was not with them on this occasion as Philip’s horse suffered severe colic on arrival and only the swift action of the treatment veterinary officers Dr Marcello Conti and Dr Caonabo Melo saved her life. So concerned were they that at one point that a plane was put on standby to fly Miller to Dubai. Fortunately it was not needed and Miller recovered sufficiently to make the long trek home but time was not on their side and Philip had to make the agonising decision to withdraw Miller’s Light prior to the competition. Emily on the other hand had a different tale to tell. Tahinni apparently un-phased by the whole affair was out on course everyday. However she gave everyone palpitations at the trot up when she was requested to re-present, but all was well and Emily started the race next morning. Ably assisted by her crew and Chef Yvonne Croke along with Iona and Jeff Rosselly who flew in just for the competitions, Emily completed her first loop in 1hr 57 mins with a riding speed of 15.31 kph. Her crew were able to keep her fully informed of her speed and distance the whole time as unlike European countries, in the desert crews can drive along side most of the track. After a short rest the pair embarked on the second loop which saw Emily move up a gear, riding at approx 18 k per hour, but unfortunately Tahinni was not destined to go any further and vetted out at gate 2 and ending any hopes for an Irish finisher. Both horses and riders have returned safely to Ireland and despite their disappointments, they are already planning for next season.

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