Saud Jaber pilots Bahar to win in Endurance Ride

Winners of the First Endurance Ride of the 2005-06 season, seen with HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman, Qatar Endurance Committee, and HE Dr Sultan bin Hasan Al Dosari, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Agriculture.



DOHA: Saud Jaber Al Saaq rode his Anglo-Arab horse Bahar to a superb victory in the first Endurance Ride of the 2005-06 season in Mesaieed on Saturday night.

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman, Qatar Endurance Committee, and HE Dr Sultan bin Hasan Al Dosari, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Agriculture, under whose patronage the First Ride was held, attended the race.

The 100km race was held at the Sealine area in four stages ? the first two restricted to 30km each and the last two to 20km each with an optional pause of 20 minutes between the legs. The race carried a total prize money of QR 300,000.

Hadi Nasser Al Ramazani piloted his Pure-Arabian chestnut Akh Tut to the second place while Hassan Salman Ridah rode Bashan Silver Shadow to the third place.

The 80km ride for youth was won by Khalid Mohammed Al Ali, who rode Bahij to victory and was followed by Mohammed Harban Al Mass on Vakil Ibn Nefous. Mansoor Khalil Al Mansoori, on Mesafir Al Shaqab, finished third.

The Qatar Endurance Committee will be conducting the following five major races (with prize money in bracket) in the coming months:

Open Race on Dec. 3: 120km (QR350,000); 100km for youth (QR170,000), 60km for juniors (QR5,000).

Open Race on Jan. 7: 100km (300,000); 60km for juniors (QR5,000).

GCC Endurance Championship on Jan 28: 120km (QR500,000), 100km for youth (QR200,000).

Qatar International Endurance Race on Feb 26: 120km (QR500,000), 100km for youth (QR300,000).

Local Endurance, March 17 and 18: 160km (QR450,000).