Bahrain: Abdulrahman claims junior endurance ride

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=296287

Sunday, January 16, 2011

ABDUL-RAHMAN Abdulla of Al Asayel Stable steered Al Haseel to victory in the 120-km Junior Endurance Horse Ride yesterday.

More than 60 riders of different stables competed in the event, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Abdulla completed the five-stage ride in five hours, 32 minutes and 38 seconds with an average of 19-km per hour.

Second overall was Nasser Awad of Al Mugheirat Stable in 5:35:40 while Al Shuwamekh Stable's young rider Saud Al Dossary (5:35:42) rounded off the podium winning third place.

The ride, which was the second event of the season, was flagged off at 6.30am by Breef's general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi and media committee head Tawfeeq Salehi.

Abdulla dominated the ride right from the start. He completed the first stage, which was over 30 kms, in one hour, 38 minutes and 49 seconds.

Behind him was Abdulla Al Qaud (1:20:07) of the Royal Endurance Team in second place and Ali Yousef (1:20:28), also of the Royal Endurance Team, third.

In the second stage, which was also over 30 kms, Abdulla continued to lead by finishing the stage in 1:18:57 while Yousef (1:25:10) advanced to second and Al Qaud (1:25:45) dropped to third.

The third stage was over 25 kms and Abdulla stayed in front, completing the stage in 1:18:57, ahead of Yousef (2:25:10) and Al Qaud (1:25:45).

Abdulla (59:36) held on to his lead after the fourth stage, which was over 20 kms. Yousef (58:13) remained second and Al Qaud (58:14) third.

Abdulla maintained his momentum in the fifth and last stage, which he finished in 45 minutes and 26 seconds.

Awad held on to second place, clocking 30:32, and was followed by Al Dossay in third place in 30:22.

The ride was witnessed by National Guard Commander Lt Gen Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, along with Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

It was held under the patronage of Breef's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa who presented trophies to the top three riders at an awarding ceremony.