Monday, December 05, 2011

Bahrain: Nasser off to a winning start

Gulf Daily News

http://snapshots.endurance.net/2011/12/bahrain-hh-sh-khalid-bin-hamad-al.html Photos by Osama Mohammed

YOUSEF Nasser yesterday steered Al Jared to victory in the Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Ride, the inaugural event of the 2011/12 endurance horseride season. The first event of the season, held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, was over 100 kms and open for private stables.

The Al Asayel Stable rider completed the four-stage event in four hours, 35 minutes and two seconds, with an average speed of 21 kms per hour.

Behind him was Al Mugheirat Stable's Nasser Awad (4:37:30) with an average speed of 21 kms per hour.

Securing third place was Nasser Khalifa (4:40:42) of Al Fateh Stable. He also had an average speed of 21 kms per hour.

All three riders received a brand new vehicle, donated by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation President (Breef) Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, at the awarding ceremony.

A side ride for seniors was also held. It was won by Abdulrahman Al Saad (4:09:40) of the Royal Endurance Team.

Second place was won by Yousef Nasser (4:35:02) of Al Asayel Stable while Awad Nasser (4:37:30) of Al Mugheirat came third.

Divided

Both rides were divided into four stages. The first two stages covered 30 kms each, the third was over 25 kms while the fourth and final stage was over 15 kms.

In the main ride, the Royal Endurance Team dominated the show with three of their members leading the first stage.

Gordon Singh came on top at the end of the first stage, crossing the finish line in one hour, nine minutes and 44 seconds. He was followed by Al Saad (1:09:49) in second place. Somer Singh (1:11:03) finished third.

In the second stage, Al Saad took over first position from Gordon after completing the stage in 1:13:59.

Gordon (1:13:14) went down to second while Somer (1:16:53) was third.

In the third and penultimate stage, Gordon made a major leap by moving up to first place, finishing the stage in 1:04:50 following a fierce battle with Al Saad (1:05:22) who dropped to second.

Abdulrahman Al Ali of Al Asayel Stable climbed into third place in 1:15:29.

The event was flagged off by Breef general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi in the presence of Breef first vice-president Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa and other officials.

The Royal Endurance Team members were congratulated by their captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa after the awarding ceremony.

Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee lauded the efforts of the organisers.

On his part, Shaikh Khalid said the rides were exciting and lived up to expectations.

Meanwhile, the next event on the federation's calendar will be the National Day Ride, set to take place on December 24. It will be followed by the Heavy Weight Challenge on January 7.

His Majesty the King's Cup ride, the main event of the endurance season, will then take place on February 4. The Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Ride will then be held on February 18.

The Breef Championship is scheduled for March 2, to be followed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Cup night ride on April 6.

The season is due to conclude with End of the Season Ride, scheduled for April 5.

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