Mirza claims tough win in Hungary

Gulf-daily-news.com


August 12, 2012

BAHRAIN's Jaffar Mirza yesterday clinched the World Endurance Horse Ride Championship for eight-year-old horse category in Babolna, Hungary.

The Royal Endurance Team member steered Yosko to victory in this challenging 120km ride on the second day of the event, which saw participants from Slovakia, France, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and hosts Hungary.

It was sweet victory for the Bahraini team and their captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khallifa, who clinched the seven-year-old horse category ride held at the same venue on Friday.

The Royal Team are in the final phase of preparations for the FIA World Championship that will take place on August 25 at Euston Park near Thetford in the UK.

Yesterday's event was the last event for the Bahraini team, who have been camping in Europe for the last two months, during which they participated in several rides.

The ride comprised four stages, with the first stage featuring 34kms. The second stage was over 31km, the third 34km while the fourth and final stage was over 21km.

Mirza completed the ride with a total time of five hours, 44 minutes and 15 seconds, and with 21km per hour speed average.

Injury

The remaining team members in the fray were Raed Mahmood, who finished eighth overall, besides Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, who was forced to withdraw in the third stage after his horse suffered an injury.

Mirza was congratulated after the ride by Shaikh Nasser and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president, said the Bahrain team have already achieved the aspired goal by competing with a group of prominent riders in this two-day championship.

He noted that Bahrain riders have improved on their skills and overall performance by taking part in a number of endurance rides over the past two months in Europe.

Shaikh Nasser added that his team's continued achievements came as a result of the riders' efforts along with members of the administrative team, who all worked as one family to accomplish these gains for the Kingdom of Bahrain, in general, and to endurance in specific.

Shaikh Nasser added that the team was keen to take advantage of yesterday's ride ahead of the world championships, which will be over 160km.

In the world championships, featuring a total of six stages, riders from 44 countries from all around the globe are due to take part.