Morocco & the Boudheib Initiative making history!

Ifrane, Morocco 7th October 2017

This weekend saw the latest International Boudheib Initiative (BI) sponsored endurance event in Morocco's outstanding cedar forest of the Middle Atlas area of Ifran, and for the first time in Moroccan history, the first FEI CEI 1* 80km ride was held together with the BECA award for best condition.  For the 2nd year since inception, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan is delighted to encourage  education of the 'welfare of the endurance horse' through BI ground breaking events worldwide and takes great pride in aiding development of the true sport of endurance at grass roots level proving time and again the value of strong partnerships between horse & rider.  Great care was offered by the veterinary delegation headed by Technical Delegate, Mohamed Khalfan Alyammahi, and a full day of judge & vets briefing was held in order to work closely with newcomers to the FEI, explaining health & rules for the benefit of the horse and reminding them to not be flexible when it comes to rider security and horse welfare.

The picturesque trails were perfect, with good markings, loop speeds were low averaging around 15kph ensuring an excellent 80% completion rate throughout all rides including the 3 national qualifiers of 60km, 40km & 20km, for newcomers to the sport.  There was a wonderful spirit throughout the day with everyone showing their willingness to learn and they are all looking forward to the future growth of this event and to returning next year.

Special thanks goes to event organiser, Dr. Mohamed Machmoum, Director of the upcoming Salon de Cheval at El Jedida, the veterinary delegation for their unfailing  hard work and to the many dignitaries who attended the event, including Ahmed Al Reasi, Chairman of the Emirates Equestrian Federation, Dr. Hammou Ouhelli, Moroccan Minister of Rural Development & Forests, General Merzak El Habili, General Secretary of the Moroccan Royal Equestrian Federation and Zouhair Mohamed, General Secretary of Ifran, and of course not forgetting all the riders, grooms, owners & trainers and our valued partners, the horses, without whom none of the events could take place!

Results:
BECA results
CEI 1* 80km
1st – nº 7 Arrabiefi ridden by Hammadi Smail from Le Ferme Equestre  
2nd – nº 8 Tissir II ridden by Hamid Bouhout Mdl from the Garde Royale
3rd – nº 3 Rose des Vents ridden by Bensaid Ali Adj also from the Garde Royal
4th – nº 2 Toumira ridden by Meryem Keddara from RCE Menzeh

FEI 1* 80 km CEI Results
1st nº 8 - Tissir II ridden by Hamid Bouhout Mdl from the Garde Royale
2nd nº 3 - Rose des Vents ridden by Bensaid Ali Adj also from the Garde Royal
3rd nº 7 - Arrabiefi ridden by Hammadi Smail from Le Ferme Equestre

Article & photos by Leigh Young

BOUDHEIB INITIATIVE - DRIVING THE FUTURE OF ENDURANCE
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