Two Endurance Riders From Canada Will Tackle Desert in Dubai Tomorrow!
Greater Glide and Nightwind’s Savannah leaving with Glenn and Kim after completing the trot-in. Photo Credit: Dessia Miller
UPDATE: Even more exciting news… It was announced at a press conference in Dubai that each foreign rider who finishes the race will receive 100,000 Dirhams, or $32,000 CD or $27,229 US.
Equine Canada release
Ottawa, Ont. January 9, 2015 — Canadian endurance riders, Kathy Irvine of Blackfoot, Alta. and Jessica Manness of Oakbank, Man., were honored with an invitation to compete in His Highness Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s 8th Annual Endurance Cup beginning January 10, 2015 at 6:30 a.m. UAE time. This invitation-only event is an FEI 3* 160km race across the sandy Dubaï desert patterns.
Passing their first inspection, Irvine and Nightwind’s Savannah, her 16-year-old Canadian bred Arabian mare sired by Dakotas Keyanti, along with Manness and Greater Glide (Flaming Tigre X Flaming Streak), her 13-year-old Arabian gelding, are looking forward to this incredible opportunity to let their horses shine against some of the leading international riders.
The team arrived in stages; Irvine, Manness and the horses arrived in mid-December to acclimatize and get in some cross-training on the new terrain. Sand dunes, gravel and dry temperatures reaching up 30 degrees Celsius become new challenges for the team as they prepare themselves and the horses for the race.
Kathy Irvine, Denise Blanchet , and Jessica Manness waiting for the trot-ins to start. Photo Credit: Dessia Miller
Once the remaining of the crew arrived in the New Year they became familiar with the horses and crew stations. The competition requires everyone to be vigilant for the safety and performance of the riders and horses. The professional support team members accompanying the riders are grooms, Denise Blanchet and Dessia Miller; Canadian Endurance Team Veterinarian, Dr. Glenn Sinclair; and Canadian Endurance Team Coach/Technical Advisor, Kim Woolley.
Detailed biographies for Irvine and Manness and the crew are available on the Endurance Canada International Biographies webpage.
The Canadian team heading from the quarantine barn to the vetting area for trot-in. Photo Credit: Dessia Miller
Follow the progress of the race Endurance Canada Facebook page as it becomes available.
Good luck to Kathy, Jessica and team!
