Bahrain: Stage set for top endurance race

REGISTRATION is underway for His Majesty King Hamad's Endurance Horseride Cup scheduled for Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Top riders from Bahrain, the GCC and other countries are expected to take part in this prestigious event being organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef).

Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa said more than 50 riders from Bahrain will be taking part in this prestigious event which consists of 120-km races for seniors and juniors.

The Breef chief added the race would be open to Bahrainis and expatriates with top riders from around the world expected to be in the fray. "I would like to welcome all the riders from outside Bahrain to participate in the championship. Their presence will be highly appreciated and will add more spice to the competition," said Shaikh Nasser.

Riders from Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Stable, which is owned by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, are also expected to participate.

"This championship is the biggest event on our calendar and we must work hard to guarantee its success," said Shaikh Nasser.

This year's championship will be sponsored by Durrat Al Bahrain who signed a sponsorship agreement with the federation.

"I am thankful to Durrat Al Bahrain for their support to us which will certainly help in making the championship a success," he said.

This race will be the fifth of the season, which kicked off with the Season Opening Championship, followed by the Kingdom Holding Championship, the Bahrain International Open Championship and the Prime Minister's Championship last month.

Shaikh Nasser also said the federation has submitted its bid to organise the 2008 World Endurance Horseride Championship for the seniors and are waiting for a reply from the International Equestrian Federation.

"Our chances of having this world event in Bahrain are very good. We have already organised the world junior championship and are also capable of hosting the senior event," said a confident Shaikh Nasser.

Qatar: Tuanku Mizan Finishes Second

Bernama.Com - Malaysian News Agency
March 04, 2007 01:13 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- The Qatar International Endurance Race had a royal glitter with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin riding his mare to a podium finish at the Qatar Endurance Village in Doha.

According to a statement, His Majesty completed the gruelling 160km course in second place behind Qatari rider, Isa Al-Manai, who was riding for the Al Shaqab stable owned by the Emir of Qatar.

It was a double delight for Malaysia with Faizal Ismail of the Selangor based Ar-Raudah Equine Centre finishing third.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said, who accompanied the King to Doha, expressed her delight over the King's achievement. She said it was more satisfying since the weather was rather chilly and windy.

All the 39 riders that took part in the race were flagged off at 9pm, Friday and the top three riders finished the race in approximately 13 hours.

Azalina said Tuanku Mizan's second placing placed him on track to qualify for the World Endurance Race to be held in Terengganu next year.

The King is expected to participate in the Royal Kedah International Ride in Bandar Darul Aman, Jitra from March 8-10. The event has attracted more than 80 riders including several royalties from West Asia.

Two more international endurance events are scheduled to be held in Selangor and Johor this year as part of the build up to next year's world championship.

Malaysia: Kedah Host Royal International Invitational Ride 2007

Bernama, Malaysian National News Agency

March 01, 2007 23:56 PM

ALOR STAR, March 1 (Bernama) -- Kedah will once again draw world attention when it hosts the Royal Kedah International Invitational Ride 2007 at the Darul Aman Equine Centre in Jitra on March 9 and 10.

The endurance race will be participated by 80 riders, including 15 world-class foreign riders as well as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and royalty from the Gulf states.

This grand event in the northern region, after the Langkawi Ironman Triathlon 2007 which ended on Feb 24, is set to draw greater public interest in equine sports.

The Darul Aman Equine Centre, run by the state government's investment arm, Darulaman Realty Sdn Bhd, since two years ago, is the only such centre in this part of the country.

When visiting the centre recently, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said said equine sport, although regarded as a sport of the rich, could still result in the development of the equine industry and emerge as a new tourism product for Kedah.

According to her, the competition had attained recognition from the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM).

"Kedah's success as the host and the ministry as the joint organiser will have a bearing on the holding of the World Endurance Championship in Terengganu next year."

She said the organisers of the Kedah event should ensure that the competition turns out to be the best as "the fans all over the world will be watching us".

The participation of Sultan Mizan with five others in his team is expected to draw much public attention, especially among equine sport fans in this country.

Among the participating royalty are Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Rashid from Qatar and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Sultan Al-Nahyan.

Riders from Australia, the United States, Belgium and the Netherlands will also compete against those from Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand.

The endurance race, will be divided into three categories -- 120km, 80km and 40km from 5.30 pm on March 9 to about 10 am the next day.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid is confident that the competition would run smoothly and urged the people to warmly welcome the participants.

"As the races are not only held at night but will pass through housing estates, villages, padi fields and rubber plantations, the people must give their full support," he said.

Mahdzir hoped the sport would not only evoke interest among the people but also result in the emergence of top riders to represent Kedah at international events.

He also called on the people to give their cooperation to the authorities in ensuring the safety of the participants.

The participants are expected to arrive in Alor Star tomorrow while some of the horses are already here, including six from Brisbane, Australia, and they are placed at the Darul Aman Equine Centre.

To make it a more interesting event, the organisers will hold some side activities which are open to the public.

The Sultan of Kedah will flag off the races and present the prizes to the winners.

-- BERNAMA

WEC-JYR: Ride Map On-Line - Campo deMayo

The map for the upcoming 2007 World Endurance Championship at Campo de Mayo Argentina is online at

EnduranceBrasil

Al Beloushi retains superb form

photo: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News

Winner Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi finishes the white loop during the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum 120km endurance ride.


By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter


Dubai: Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi ended the Dubai Equestrian Club's endurance season the way he had started it - with a superb victory - and laid claim to being the top rider of the current season.


The Al Reef rider-cum-trainer came up with a scintillating final-stage (12km) riding performance on Cameo Zinniaa to push Spain's consistent Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton to second place in the Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum CEI three-star 120km endurance ride.


Yousuf, who had emerged as last season's third best rider, had started the season here at the Dubai International Endurance City with a win and yesterday won the last Open ride here to register his third triumph of the UAE season.


Terrific display


It was a terrific display by Yousuf as he trailed Maria by over 5 minutes, going into the final 12km. But Cameo Zinniaa, the 11-year-old chestnut mare which is trained by the rider himself, was in devastating form and nearly reached an average speed of 27kmph on the final loop to leave the Spanish rider well and truly beaten.


Omair Hussain Al Beloushi, riding Al Galahn, also a three-time winner of the season, and Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim, riding Chupacbra, finished third and fourth, respectively.


"I was always confident of winning, though Maria was leading in the third and fourth stages," said Yousuf, who was third after 108km. "But Cameo Zinniaa proved she was a champion," said Yousuf.


Maria, the 30-year-old Spanish rider who is married to top endurance horse trainer Jaume Dachs, said she just could not do much against the winning pair. "They had too much power and I knew he would come strongly. But I am very happy with my display," said Maria.


Commenting on her success she said initially she was just riding the horses to prepare them, but now she was going all out and the results were showing.


Earlier, of the 86 riders who started, the top riders to make early exits were Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum (Musical Gully Tambourine) after the second stage, Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum in the second stage, Shaikh Saeed Bin Dalmook Bin Juma Al Maktoum in the third stage and Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi in the second stage.


Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, attended the ride while Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum, along with DEC's Saeed Al Tayer, and Ali Mousa and UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation's Hussain Mohammad distributed the trophies.

Bahrain senior riders best

BAHRAIN took the seniors category team title while Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa of Al Fateh Stable came second in the seniors individual race of the Qatar International Endurance Horseride Championship which was held yesterday at Al Sileen area.


More than 100 riders from Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and Syria took part in the event which consisted of senior and a junior races both over 120 kms.


The Bahraini team of Shaikh Salman, Ahmed Al Ruwaiei, Mohammed Al Moawda and Hussain Al Daylami crossed the finish line first after close competition with riders from Qatar, Syria and Saudi Arabia.


The remaining four Bahrainis - Ahmed Al Ruwaiei, Jaffer Mirza, Abdulaziz Adam and Abdulla Al Khatry - were unable to complete the race after their horses suffered injuries.


The seniors race was divided into five stages with 30 kms for the first two stages, 25 kms for the third, 20 kms for the fourth and 15 kms for the fifth. Shaikh Salman finish the race in five hours, 48 minutes and 29 seconds, behind winner Ali Al Malki of Qatar who clocked 5:47:22 with Syria's Ahmed Saber (5:50:21) taking third place.


Qatar dominated the juniors race which was won by Khalid Al Malki (6:25:23) with Hamad Al Mirri (6:30:00) and Saeed Al Qadi (7:05:14) in second and third places respectively.


Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated the Bahraini team and Shaikh Salman on this achievement.

Riders off to Doha race

EIGHT Bahraini riders headed for Doha to compete in the senior race of the 120-km Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for today at 5.30am near Al Sileen coast.

The team include Shaikh Salman bin Saqer, Mohammed Al Moawda, Ahmed Al Ruwaiei, Jaffer Mirza, Hussain Al Daylami, Abdulaziz Khalifa, Misha'al Hassan and Abdulla Hilal.
The Bahrainis will go into this championship without Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Both Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid said they preferred not to take part in this event so that other Bahraini riders will get a chance to participate in such events and gain experience and confidence.

More than 60 riders from Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries are taking part in both the senior and junior sections.

The total prize money at stake is BD70,000.
The winner of the senior race will be presented with BD8,000. The runner-up will get BD7,000 and the third-placed rider will bag BD6,000.
In the junior section, the winner gets BD2,700, the runner-up BD2,300 while the third-placed rider will bag BD2,100.

Gulf News article

UK: Stables complex gets go-ahead

21 February 2007

A "world class" racing stud owned by a Middle East magnate was given the go-ahead to house a second endurance team at its Norfolk base on Monday despite fears about the impact on the countryside.

The Shadwell Estate, near Thetford, owned by Dubai-based Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, was given permission for 25 stables, an isolation unit, gallop paddocks, two cottages and the conversion and extension of an existing building for grooms and riders at Home Farm.

It will be the summertime base for a second Dubai endurance team.
[More ...]

2008 WEC in Malaysia

2/12/2006
2008 FEI World Endurance Championship

The 2008 FEI World Endurance Championship Trial run was held last weekend at Terengganu, on the East coast of Malaysia. The Championship had been provisionally granted to the Malaysian Equestrian Federation subject to there being a number of successful trial runs held in 2006 and 2007.

Three senior FEI Endurance Officials attended the event: Dr Hallvard Sommerseth (NOR), Chairman of the FEI Endurance Technical Committee; Dr Jim Bryant (CAN) and Mr John Robertson (GBR).

The Malaysian Equestrian Federation, together with the Organising Committee (OC) – the State Government of Terengganu & Yayasan Kebajikan Perkasa Alam Terengganu, invited a number of leading Malaysian riders as well as riders from America, Europe and Australsia.

A detailed report is being produced; it will be submitted to the FEI Endurance Techncial Committee for further consideration but Dr Hallvard Sommerseth expressed his appreciation for the commitment made by the organizers in producing a very successful trial run.

The FEI Endurance Committee had required the trial run to be held at the proposed venue on a date to match the date of the 2008 Championship and for there to be a minimum completion rate of 40% and a maximum riding time of 16 hours for the 160 kms distance.

A total of 23 horses were presented at the start of the event and 60% completed the full distance well within the maximum ride time allowed. All of the horses performed well with no heat and humidity related problems.

Dr Jim Bryant confirmed that the horses had competed well under the conditions which had been relatively cool because of the timing of the event within the monsoon period. He commented that all of the riders had taken great care to compete using all of their horsemanship skills. Dr Bryant linked the performances of the riders and horses to a time within Endurance when events were less about speed and more about the combination of rider and horse working in close harmony together to overcome the challenges presented.

Mr John Robertson felt that there were certain areas which needed to be reviewed in relation to the overall management of the event. He confirmed that the OC was aware of these issues but he was confident that the OC would be able to solve them ahead of the Championship.

Dr Sommerseth confirmed that the next trial event, scheduled to take place in the first half of 2007, would involve the use of overseas based horses who would travel to Malaysia to test out the facilities and also to fully evaluate the timing required to allow overseas horse to acclimatise properly ahead of competition.

A team from FEI Television attended the event and will produce a short documentary to be shown at the planned FEI World Endurance Forum planned for March 2007.
[More ...]

FEI World Endurance Forum Update

19/01/2007
The FEI confirms the final details of the FEI World Endurance Forum to be held in Paris on 31 March and 1 April 2007.

FEI Endurance National Federations will be invited to send a delegation of up to three representatives to take part in the Forum which is organized at the start of a full review of the discipline of Endurance.

The Forum is part of a process, supported by the FEI President, H.R.H. Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, to plan the development of the sport over the next five years following its dramatic growth in recent times.

The Forum will have three main phases:

· 31 AM - An initial presentation by each of the nine FEI Regional Groups on their own visions of the future

· 31 PM - A working session for Delegates from the National Federations separated into Judges, Technical Delegates and Veterinarians

· 1 AM - A final session for all delegates who will receive presentations from each of the above three groups on matters raised during their individual sessions

The FEI Regional Groups will also be requested to submit names as candidates for an FEI working group to be established post forum that will, in consultation with National Federations, produce a 5 year plan for Endurance.

Detailed information on Hotels, timings, bookings and reservations can be found on the FEI web site – Endurance. Enquiries can be directed to Ms Emilie Leyvraz at the FEI Endurance Department – e.leyvraz@horsesport.org
[More ...]

UAE: Worlds Fastest 160km Finish

Winners break record for 160km Endurance in UAE:

 1 6:41:33 Sh Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan  ZT Faraventure  (23.91km/hr)
 2 6:47:41 Sh Majid Bin Mohd Al Maktoum Kaysand      Farrazah      Best Condition
 3 7:01:49 Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri              Cupid 
 4 7:06:00 Abdulla Thani Bin Huzaim              Spenda Crest Kamouflage  
 5 7:12:16 Maria Alvarez Ponton (Spain)              Nobby  
 6 7:17:40 Yousef Ahmed Al Bloushi              Jibba Enog 
 7 7:43:54 Dalpat Singh Ganpat Singh (India)  
 8 7:46:55 Chain Singh Mod Singh (India)      Hungares  
 9 7:51:14 Mansoor Ahmad Ali Al Subose              Dunwingeri Maakhal 
10 7:52:12 Raghuveer Singh Hem Singh (India)      Castlebar Kaden 

[More ...]

UAE: 2007 President of the UAE Endurance Cup Underway

01 fresh, excited, prancing, beautiful horses just shot out of the starting gate. 5:45 Abu Dhabi time, still dark, a light fog, cool still, but it feels like it's going to be a hot one.

USA - 2 riders - Meg Sleeper on Shirroco Troilus, shipped from USA, and Fred Emigh on a local horse . Here's the list of starting riders. The riders from France, Portugal, UK, Australia and USA shipped their own horses, the other foreign riders are riding 'local' horses.

Portugal riders on shipped horses: Joao Raposo on Pipoca, Anglo Arab 10yr mare, Rui Pereira on Solero Tonecas on Cruzado, 8 yr gray stallion, Ana Margarita Costa on Piperino 14 yr gray gelding

Great Britain: Liz Taylor o Falaina Bint Chatanz, 13yr gray arab mare Abigail Lockett on Delorto Zaranz, 17 yr bay gelding

France: Philippe Thomas on Bara Park Bastien, 15 yr gray arab gelding Jean Philippe Frances on Hanaba Du Bois 12 yr arab mare

Australia: Meg Wade on China Doll 12 yr gray part-arab mare Penny Toft on Elctra BBP Murdoch, 12 yr gelding (appaloosa!)

Fausto Fiorucci is here riding a local horse - Kedjari Des Serres 9 yr saddle horse

[More ...]

UK: Britain finishes team at 20 Mule Team

Four British riders met in Ridgecrest CA USA to represent Great Britain at the Twenty Mule Team AERC/FEI sanctioned endurance race. The Northern California contingent (Dom, Team Vet Paulo Fasano and crew Joel Guerrero) arrived safely at the ride site with three of the team horses to meet Emily coming from New Jersey via Los Angeles and Suzanne traveling up from Southern California. On site already scoping out the venue were Pauline and Len Beach, and Stevie Martin and Rosemary Attfield arriving by way of Los Angeles.

The desert air was crisp and cool and crackling with excitement. Horses were bedded down after the 9 hour trailer ride and our camp area gaily adorned with British Flags

[More ...]

UAE to host world's richest ride

GulfNews
By M. Satya Narayan. Staff Reporter

Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi (2nd right), Sulaiman Al Fahim (2nd left), Walid Al Masri (right) and Lara Sawaya of ADEC during a press conference.
UAE to host world's richest ride









Abu Dhabi: The 2007 edition of the His Highness The President's Cup Endurance ride, to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday, will enter the record books as the richest endurance ride in the history of the sport.

A whopping Dh1.2 million will be on offer for the annual FEI CEI 160-km three-star ride, which is being sponsored by the National Bank of Dubai, Hydra Properties and Al Awani Trading Enterprises.

Giving details of the world's richest endurance ride, Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC), said Saturday's ride will be one of the biggest events on the endurance circuit.

"There is a lot of prestige associated with this event and there is also big prize money on offer. In keeping with this we have invited 16 of the world's top riders to take part in the event," he said.

"Riders from the US, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and many other countries will be in the fray. Over 100 riders will be starting in this event," Adnan added.

Walid Al Masri, Head of Corporate Communications for the National Bank of Dubai, said: "Our sponsorship of this championship is proof of our unfaltering commitment towards our community. It is also part of our contribution towards developing this sport in the UAE, the region and the world.

UAE tradition

"Endurance racing has always been an integral part of the Arab heritage and UAE tradition," he said.

Hydra Properties is supporting a sporting event for the first time and its CEO Sulaiman Al Fahim said: "We are overwhelmed to be part of this great event that truly reflects the great heritage of our great nation.

"A new leader in the UAE real estate market, Hydra Properties is a key sponsor of the event and we wish all the participants the best of luck in this trek of endurance," Al Fahim said.

Saturday's event will be run in six stages of 34, 32, 30, 24 and 16 km and will get off to a mass start at 5.45am at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

"There are a lot of prizes for the spectators. Etihad Airways will be giving away five return air tickets to European destinations through a raffle," said Lara Sawaya, Marketing and Sponsors' Liaison.

"Hydra Properties have also announced Dh10,000 to be raffled away in the form of 20 prizes free to the public, while a large number of watches will also be distributed to the raffle winners," Lara said.
[More ...]

U.S. Endurance Riders to Compete at the Abu Dhabi President’s Cup

Equestrian News Release
AUBURN, Ca. — Two U.S. riders have been invited to participate in the February 17th FEI***160 km HH The President of the UAE Endurance Cup ride in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) top-ranked endurance riders, Susan Summers, riding Mags Motivator, and Dr. Meg Sleeper, DVM, riding Shyrocco Troilus, will make the trip to Abu Dhabi to compete at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

A strong field of UAE and International riders is expected to take part in the 8th edition of the prestigious ride. The competitors for 2007 will once again be looking to end the UAE’s stranglehold on the Cup, which has so far been won only by UAE riders.

The prestigious 160-km ride started in 2000 with 14 national and 22 International riders. In 2006, 80 riders from 19 countries participated. The United States is regularly invited to send riders. In 2006, World Endurance Champions Valerie Kanavy and Danielle McGunial represented the United States on their horses, Iron Man Gold and Bull, but were vetted out in the 4th loop.

The 160-km ride is jointly organized by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and the Emirates International Endurance Village under the patronage of Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs. Mohammed Al Sayed, Chairman of the Emirates International Endurance Committee (EIEC), called the ride, ‘The Jewel of the Middle East’. He continued, “This is one of the toughest rides on the world circuit. The course is famous for the notorious Tora Bora, a switchback of rolling sand dunes that challenges both the visiting as well as local riders."

The United States Equestrian Federation is the Governing Body of U.S. endurance competition at the international level. The American Endurance Ride Conference is the National Affiliate of t endurance in the U.S. and governs the sport at the national level. For more information about the U.S. Endurance Team and the 2006 selection process, contact USEF Director of Endurance Programs, Vonita Bowers : Email: vbowers@usef.org, phone (908) 563-0732

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. AERC sanctions more than 800 events annually, is the leader in education related to the use of equines in long-distance riding and encourages the use, protection and development of equestrian trails in North America. AERC’s mission is to serve its more than 6,500 members and to promote endurance riding as a sport in which horsemanship and equine welfare are paramount. For more information about endurance riding and AERC, visit http://www.aerc.org. Gulf Coast 4 Star http://www.gc4star.com is the official trailer of AERC and is a sponsor of the AERC National Championship.
[More ...]

UAE: Alyazia wins Round II at Al Asayl

Khaleej Times

12 February 2007

DUBAI — Shaikha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan won the Round II of the three-round Al Asayl Ladies Championship Endurance Series, which at the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, Sweihan, Abu Dhabi.

Riding 10-year-old Arab, bay Mare Ningadoo Moesha, from the Al Reef Stables, Shaikha Alyazia completed the 80-km ride in 3 hours, 15 minutes and 19 seconds riding on an average speed of 24.58kmph.

The FEI, CEI Two-star Round II, which was run in three phases of 30km, 30km and 20km respectively, was flagged off early in the morning with 20 enthusiastic young ladies of whom 13 riders successfully finished the ride. Princess Alia bint Al Hussein, President of the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation presented the trophies to the winning ladies.

The Round II endurance ride, jointly organised by The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, is part of the Three-round Al Asayl Endurance Championship, the first of which was held on January 19, 2007. The Round III, which is the culmination of the Series, will be held on March 9, after which, based on a point system, the Ladies Endurance Champion will be declared.

All the rides are being held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Equestrian Federation.

For Shaikha Alyazia, who is the Manager of the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, this was a real moment of glory as she had decided to retire from Round I at Gate II keeping the welfare of her horse in mind.

With a good and efficient planning and sharing a brilliant rapport with her horse Ningadoo, Shaikha Alyazia finished the first loop of 30 km in one hour, 16 minutes and 53 seconds riding on an average speed of 23.41 kmph. She finished the next two loops ahead of others.

Second place in the ride went to Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi who partnered 12-year-old Jen A Dale Zamarah, a chestnut mare also from Al Reef Stables.

She finished the ride in 3 hours, 15 minutes and 20 seconds, just a second behind Shaikha Alyazia, and rode on an average speed of 24.57 kmph.

Shaikha Madiya Hasher Mana Al Maktoum finished third riding Huzie D Ax, 12-year-old grey mare from Emirates Stables.

She clocked 3 hours, 21 minutes and 57 seconds and her average speed registered was 23.77 kmph.
Shaikha Madiya was a bundle of happiness as in Round I, though she completed the ride in the first place, she could not collect her trophy as her horse was found to be lame.
[More ...]

Alyazia wins Round II at Al Asayl

2 February 2007


DUBAI — Shaikha Alyazia bint Sultan Al Nahyan won the Round II of the three-round Al Asayl Ladies Championship Endurance Series, which at the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, Sweihan, Abu Dhabi.

Riding 10-year-old Arab, bay Mare Ningadoo Moesha, from the Al Reef Stables, Shaikha Alyazia completed the 80-km ride in 3 hours, 15 minutes and 19 seconds riding on an average speed of 24.58kmph.

The FEI, CEI Two-star Round II, which was run in three phases of 30km, 30km and 20km respectively, was flagged off early in the morning with 20 enthusiastic young ladies of whom 13 riders successfully finished the ride. Princess Alia bint Al Hussein, President of the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation presented the trophies to the winning ladies.

The Round II endurance ride, jointly organised by The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, is part of the Three-round Al Asayl Endurance Championship, the first of which was held on January 19, 2007. The Round III, which is the culmination of the Series, will be held on March 9, after which, based on a point system, the Ladies Endurance Champion will be declared.

All the rides are being held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Equestrian Federation.

For Shaikha Alyazia, who is the Manager of the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, this was a real moment of glory as she had decided to retire from Round I at Gate II keeping the welfare of her horse in mind.

With a good and efficient planning and sharing a brilliant rapport with her horse Ningadoo, Shaikha Alyazia finished the first loop of 30 km in one hour, 16 minutes and 53 seconds riding on an average speed of 23.41 kmph. She finished the next two loops ahead of others.

Second place in the ride went to Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi who partnered 12-year-old Jen A Dale Zamarah, a chestnut mare also from Al Reef Stables.

She finished the ride in 3 hours, 15 minutes and 20 seconds, just a second behind Shaikha Alyazia, and rode on an average speed of 24.57 kmph.

Shaikha Madiya Hasher Mana Al Maktoum finished third riding Huzie D Ax, 12-year-old grey mare from Emirates Stables.

She clocked 3 hours, 21 minutes and 57 seconds and her average speed registered was 23.77 kmph.
Shaikha Madiya was a bundle of happiness as in Round I, though she completed the ride in the first place, she could not collect her trophy as her horse was found to be lame.

Al Ain Stables shine in Hamdan Bin Rashid ride

Al Ain Stables shine in Hamdan Bin Rashid ride

By M. Satya Narayan, Gulfnews.com



Abu Dhabi: Mattar Al Yabhouni's Al Ain Stables scooped up the Nissan Patrol and Dh50,000 after a 1-2 finish by Mohammad Asif Abdul Razzaq and Narayan Singh Dungar Singh in the Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge CEN 100km endurance ride yesterday.

Organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club, yesterday's ride had on offer the Nissan Patrol and Dh515,000 in prize money and was meant exclusively for riders from smaller stables and individually-owned stables and riders.

Pakistani rider Asif completed the 100km ride on Bahia in 4hrs 27mins and 38secs at an average speed of 22.87kmph. India's Narayan Singh on Al Marek, the second of the eight runners from Al Ain Stables, finished about eight minutes later, completing a good day for the riding boys from the sub-continent. Young Layla Abdul Aziz Al Redha was third on Foxtrott 40.

Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Ali Mousa of DEC gave away the car keys and other trophies. "I finished 13th once and then 2nd recently, but this is my first win in my 7-year riding career," said the winner.

Results: Top five finishers only:

1. Mohammad Asif Abdul Razzaq -

Pakistan - (Bahia) 4:27.38; 2. Narayan Singh Dungar Singh - India - (Al Marek) 4:35.39; 3. Layla Abdul Aziz Al Redha (Foxtrot 40) 4:44.45;

4. Al Hareth Hamad Al Badi (Shahad) 4:52.58; 5. Mohammad Abdullah Al Mahri (Shahir Bint Al Archon) 4:53.30.
[More ...]

UAE: Major Races for Smaller Stables

Smaller stables to take part in endurance rides today

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter


Abu Dhabi: Two endurance rides at two different venues will be held in the UAE today.

However, none of the star riders of the UAE will be on view.

The Dubai Equestrian Club's Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge is a 100-km national ride in which only small stables, privately-owned stables and individual owners are eligible to take part.

A Nissan Patrol is the first prize and apart from that total prize money of Dh515,000 is on offer in this event which has been conceived mainly to encourage smaller stables and individual owners.

This ride is being held at the Dubai International Endurance City and spectators will get a chance to win Dh50,000 in a free raffle draw.

The President Cup for juniors and young riders will be held at the Boudthib Endurance Village in Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi today.

This annual event, which is a CEI JY two-star FEI ride, will be run over a distance of 100 km.

Point system

This ride gets off to a mass start at 6.30 am and will be run in four stages of 30kms, 30kms, 24kms and 16 kms each.

Today's third ride at the Al Asayl Endurance Centre in Sweihan, Abu Dhabi is the Round II of the three-round Al Asayl Ladies Championship.

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and the Al Asayl Endurance Centre are organising this FEI, CEI two-star event, which will be run in three phases of 30km, 30km and 20 km.

Meanwhile, over 25 lady endurance riders participated in the second ride of three rides prior to a Ladies Endurance Champion being crowned.

The first ride was held on January 19 and the third and final ride will be held on March 9.

A point system has been formulated and the rider with the highest points at the end of all the three rounds will be named the UAE Ladies Endurance Champion.

An amount of Dh111,000 will be awarded to the top five point holders at the completion of all the three rounds.

The rider with the highest number of points at the end of the third ride will get Dh37,000.

UAE: 2007 President's Cup for Young Riders

Baudib Endurance Center - UAE

10 Feb 2007

100km - 54 starters, 17 finishers

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First place (3:47:22) Omair Husain ABdulla Al Bloushi, UAE, Al Reef Stables, riding 9yr old Charlandre El Sharif.	Second: Ali Ghahnim Al Marri, UAE, on 14yr old horse Little Joe Fox, Sh. Hamdan Bin Mohd Al Maktoum stable Third: Sh. Abdul Aziz Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, UAE on Kalkadoon Kampala, Sh. Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qasimi stable The first foreign riders, in 5, 7th and 7th(??) place are from the Czech Republic: Marketa Terberova on Charlie Rach owned by Sh. Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Katerina Kysela on Ramalea Captain Starlight owned by Sh. Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Petra Trojakova on Mora Camelia (congratulations Pavlovsky's!!) owned by Sh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
	US Riders The USA did great! Four young riders started, 3 completed! Finishing 14, 15 and 16 were Heather Stevens, Ashlee Lynn Van Raalte and Jennifer Stevens. Brittany Dials horse was elimated early in the ride, but she crewed all day and was dunked in the water trough at the end, along with all the rest of them. They were happy! and did a fantastic job.

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