Al Muhairi comes up with a brilliant ride

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter

(photo: Winners Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi, Omair Husain Al Bloushi, Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton and other officials.)

Abu Dhabi: Last Thursday Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi shrugged off the misfortune of having to sit out of the UAE team and chipped in crewing for the UAE team which registered a golden double triumph in the Doha Asian Games endurance event in Qatar.

Yesterday at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Seih Assalam, Al Muhairi compensated himself with a superb display to win the Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge 120-km ride.

Al Muhairi, who is the Racing Manager for Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, was back on the consistent performer Karabil Narmar, and the reunited pair won the same event after a two-year gap from a strong field of riders.

In fact Al Muhairi's win in yesterday's 120-km Open event halted the winning streak of the Al Reef Stables who have won all four rides of the season so far.

Al Muhairi and Karabil Narmar won the 120-km ride in four hours 46 minutes and 59 seconds at an average speed of 25.09 with Al Reef's young star Omair Hussain Al Bloushi finishing second on Cameo Zinniaa, about three minutes later.

Skilful rider

Both rider and horse drew praise from Shaikh Hamdan, who attended the ride organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club.

"Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi is a skilled rider and he did well to regain the initiative after the third loop.

"The climate was very good and Al Muhairi brought the best out of Karabil Narmar, which was coming out of an injury," Shaikh Hamdan said.

"He was running after a long gap but soon looked like the top quality horse that he his. Al Muhairi paced his effort very well and they fully deserved to win," Shaikh Hamdan said.

The winner said he was pleased with his effort.

"It was a good ride and after leading in the first two loops I slowed down the pace to check out how my horse was faring. Once he looked good after that loop we regained our pace," said Al Muhairi.

"We started out to go out and win this ride and I knew I could do it on Karabil Narmar," he said.

Commenting on his Asiad misfortune, Al Muhairi said: "I really enjoyed being part of the team. We all chipped in with crewing for the UAE team and we are proud of the UAE's achievement." Al Muhairi has been a regular in the UAE national team.

Extending the good run by foreign riders here this season, Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton finished third.

Malta's Maria, who has won a ride here a couple of seasons ago, rode Nobby, a horse trained and owned by her rider-trainer husband Jaume Punti Dachs of Spain.

"This is the first time I am riding this horse which has just come to the UAE. Nobby has some good results under his belt in Europe but this is his first outing here and I had to keep this in mind while riding today," said Maria.

Results

1. Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi (Karabil Narmar) 4hrs 46 mins 59 secs;
2. Omair Hussain Al Bloushi (Cameo Zinniaa) 4:50.21;
3. Maria Mercedes Alvarez Ponton (Nobby) 4:51.19;
4. Mattar Ganim Al Mansoori (Hanadi) 4:56.10;
5. Ahmad Mohammad Al Merri (Dell Hama) 4:56.24;
6. Abdullah Thani Al Felaisi (Spendacrest Kamouflague)4:59.42;
7. Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri (Sha-Ali) 5:03.30;
8. Yousef Ahmad Al Bloushi (Al Galahn) 5:08.54;
9. Mohammad Ahmad Ali Al Sabousi (Antares Sauveterre) 5:12.50;
10. Jesus Manuel Berna (Out of the Blue) 5:15.16.

Gulf News Article

Hamdan foresees Olympic Gold

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, said that if endurance became an Olympic sport the UAE had a very good chance of winning the gold medal.

Speaking to reporters at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Seih Assalam during the Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge ride yesterday, Shaikh Hamdan praised the display by the UAE endurance riders who won two gold medals and a bronze medal in endurance which made its debut in the Doha Asian Games.

Efforts on

The FEI, the governing body of equestrian sport has been making efforts to try and get endurance included as an Olympic discipline.

"If Endurance Riding becomes an Olympic sport the UAE, which is a dominant force in the discipline, have a 90 per cent chance of winning it," he said.

Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum won the individual gold in the 120-km endurance ride at the Doha Asiad and along with Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum won the team gold.

Sultan Bin Sulayem won the bronze medal in the individual category.
Gulf News Article

Bahrain: 60 riders set for endurance test

Vol XXIX NO. 277 Friday 22nd December 2006

SIXTY riders are set for the Kingdom Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for tomorrow at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakir.

The event, comprising a 80-km race for women and 120-km race for juniors, is being organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) and is part of Bahrain's National Day and His Majesty King Hamad's accession to the throne celebrations.

The women's race, sponsored by Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Holding Company, is divided into three stages with 15 riders in the fray.

The race consists of two stages of 30 kms and a final stage of 20 kms.

Among the participants in the 80-km race will be Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team members Manal Fakhrawi and Sumaya Jassim, Layal Abdulaziz of Al Khaldiya Stable, Shaikha Najla bint Salman Al Khalifa of Ahmed Al Fateh Stable, Huda Aryan of Saar Equestrian School and a team from Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Stable.

Thirty riders are in the fray for the 120-km juniors race, split into 30 kms for the first two stages, 25 kms for the third, 20 kms for the fourth and 15 kms for the fifth.

Sidelines

Top Bahraini riders in this event are Mohammed Abdulaziz, Jaffer Abdulnabi and Mohammed Abdlsamad of Royal Endurance Team, Tawfeeq Al Qattan of Hawar Stable, Ali Abduljalil of Azadi Stable and Abdulla Al Khatry of Al Asayel Stable.

A 60-km qualifier will also be held on the sidelines of the main event which is also open for women. Fifteen riders from Bahrain, the UAE and Kazakhstan are taking part in this event.

This qualifying race will be organised for the new riders and is divided into two stages of 30 kms each.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa met Kingdom Stables director Najeeb Al Burjus who arrived in Bahrain to meet the member of his team and inspect the facilities as well as the preparations being made for the championship.

Al Burjus said the stable, owned by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, is always keen to take part in Bahrain races to gain more experience.

Shaikh Nasser thanked Prince Al Waleed, who is the Kingdom Holding Company chairman, for his personal support to the federation and the Kingdom Stable for taking part in Bahrain races.


Gulf News

Shaikh Rashid Challenge to take place tomorrow

Published: 22/12/2006 12:00 AM (UAE)

Dubai: The Dubai International Endurance City plays host tomorrow to the Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge.

The FEI 120 kilometre ride starts at 6am tomorrow morning from the Dubai International Endurance City, there will also be a 40 kilometre and an 80 kilometre qualifier.

Before a horse or rider can ride in a 120km race they must first complete a 40km and an 80km race.

Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been competing in Endurance Racing for five years, both internationally and locally, and in 2004 won the Triple Crown series run at Dubai International Endurance City.

The Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge is part of the Dubai Endurance Challenge.

The Challenge is worth Dh700,000 and will take in all FEI rides staged at the Dubai International Endurance City for the 2006 - 2007 season into account.

During the season riders, trainers, horses and stables will earn points depending on their finishing position in the selected races.

At the end of the season the highest point scorers will be crowned the Dubai Endurance Challenge Champion Rider, Trainer, Horse and Stable.

Entries for the endurance rides continue to stay at record levels showing the increasing popularity of the sport and the number of new riders beginning to compete.

The Dubai International Endurance City is easy to get to, from the Dubai Autodrome roundabout on the Emirates Road, follow the signs to the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa and the venue is located beside the hotel.

Gulf News

Bahrian: Endurance race is set for flag off

21 December 2006

A TOTAL prize money of BD23,000 is up for the grabs in the Kingdom Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakir.

The event, comprising 80-km for women and 120-km for juniors, is being organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) and is part of Bahrain's National Day Celebrations and His Majesty King Hamad's accession to the throne.

The prize includes BD12,700 for junior and BD10,800 for women. The top 10 in each event will be honoured at an awarding ceremony after the event.

The women's race, sponsored by Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Holding Company, will of three stages with 30 kms for the first two stages and 20 for the third.

A 60-km qualifier will also be held on the sidelines of the main event which is also open to women.

The first two stages of the 120-km junior race consists of 30 kms each while the third stage will be over 25 kms and the fourth 20kms. The fifth and final stage will be of 15 kms.

The 60 kms event, which will be organised for new riders, is divided into two stages of 30 kms each.

Meanwhile, Kingdom Stables director Najeeb Al Burjus of Saudi Arabia arrived in Bahrain to inspect the facilities and the preparations being made to host this prestigious event.

Al Burjus said the stable, owned by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, is always keen to take part in tBahrain races to gain more experience.

Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa welcomed the participating stable from Saudi Arabia.

Shaikh Khalid also thanked Prince Al Waleed, president of the Kingdom Holding Company, for his personal support to the Kingdom Stable.

The race is being organised following directives from Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The prize money beak-up:

Juniors: Winner - BD3,000. Runner-up: BD 2,500. Third place: BD1,500. Fourth place: BD1,200. Fifth place: BD1,000. Sixth place: BD900. Seventh place: BD800. Eighth place: BD700. Ninth place: BD600 and 10th place: BD500.

Women section: Winner - BD2,000. Runner-up: BD1,700. Third place: BD1,400. Fourth place: BD1,200. Fifth place: BD1,000. Sixth place: BD900. Seventh place: BD800. Eighth place: BD700. Ninth place: BD600 and 10th place: BD500.
Daily News

Rylan puts hand up for National selection

Wednesday, 13 December 2006

Kimberley Ryan's win in the Marlborough endurance ride at Chestnut Valley, near Renwick, on Saturday should give the New Zealand selectors something to think about for the up coming Trans-Tasman Endurance Challenge against Australia.

Ryan, riding for the Glendaar Endurance Stables on the grey Arabian gelding Dell Gamal, won the junior 124km NRM sponsored premier points event in a ride time of 10 hours 49.13 minutes. She now has a stranglehold on the South Island's sponsored series with one ride remaining.

On the long list for selection into the New Zealand junior team, to be announced today, Ryan along with Helen Graham and open rider Linda Harmon make up a strong Marlborough line-up for the challenge to be hosted by Nelson Lakes on January 1 and 2.

Graham and her Arabian gelding, Ra'oul Abu Rakheen, produced a stunning finish to win the junior 82km event in a ride time of 6.16.37 hours. Harmon's horse, Landon V'erah, sustained a puncture wound to her leg but the rider managed to stop the blood flow to finish third in the open 82km in 6.06.19 hours.

Sarah Hamer and Rosewood Tahir from Timaru won the open 124km NRM ride in 10.30.52 hours, they also took home the best conditioned horse (BC) award. Hamer is also on the long list for trans-Tasman selection.

Marlborough under 21 Sportsperson of the Year winner Kylie Avery returned to the podium with a close gallop finish in the open 82km class. Riding her mother's stallion, West Coast Zahav, Avery managed to pip Nelson rider Chris Bonniface by a short whisker to win in 5.55.01 hours. West Coast Zahav picked up the BC award. In the open 40km Canterbury's Jenny Worsfold and Sunnybrae Serene were judged first past the post in 2.31.17 hours. Rai Valley rider Kim Swan and Alamode Armani were second. Charlie Davis and Cheeko from the Waihopai took third with Cheeko receiving the BC.

Endurance results, December 9:

Open 124km NRM Premier Points (four starters, one vetted out lame): S Hamer and Rosewood Tahir 1; K James and Glendaar Arakis 2; B Priddle and JA GAI Kascade 3. Best conditioned horse: Hamer and Rosewood Tahir.

Junior 124km NRM Premier Points (two starters, one withdrawn lame): K Ryan and Dell Gamal 1.

Open 82km (five starters): K Avery and West Coast Zahav 1; C Bonniface and Radi 2; L Harmon and Landon V'erah 3; L Kenny and PL Mississippi 4; O Schreurs and Delights Antar 5. BC horse: Avery and West Coast Zahav.

Junior 82km (two starters, one v/o sore back): H Graham and Ra'oul Abu Rakheen 1.

82km Novice (one starter): Qualified: Tampa de Oro.

Open 42km (five starters): J Worsfold and Sunnybrae Serene 1; K Swan and Alamode Armani 2; C Davis and Cheeko 3; L Ryan and Naibara Gold Treasure 4; T Blunt and Hundalee Caly X 5. BC horse: Davis and Cheeko.

42km Novice (five starters): Qualified : Silands TricTrac, Silands Rhaffety, Stonelea Maverick, Sherdon Rakada, SH Wind Song.

25km Training (two starters, two eliminated o/time).

Marlexpress.co.nz

HM KING HAMAD RETURNS HOME AFTER ATTENDING ENDURANCE RACE

MANAMA DEC. 14 (BNA)-- HIS MAJESTY KING HAMAD BIN ISA AL KHALIFA ARRIVED AT THE SILEEN AREA ON A VISIT DURING WHICH HE ATTENDED PART OF THE ENDURANCE RACE HELD TODAY AS PART OF THE 15TH ASIAN GAMES IN DOHA.

HIS MAJESTY WAS RECEIVED BY AMIR OF QATAR SHAIKH HAMAD BIN KHALIFA AL THANI AND CROWN PRINCE SHAIKH TAMEEM BIN HAMAD AL THANI. HIS MAJESTY THEN ATTENDED A LUNCHEON HELD BY THE AMIR OF QATAR IN HIS HONOR. IT WAS ATTENDED BY UAE VICE PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER, RULER OF DUBAI SHAIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOOM, QATARI CROWN PRINCE, SHAIKH TAMEEM, OLYMPIC COUNCIL OF ASIA (OCA) PRESIDENT SHAIKH AHMED AL FAHAD AL AHMED AL SABAH, MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION ACCOMPANYING HIS MAJESTY KING HAMAD AND A NUMBER OF QATARI OFFICIALS. FOLLOWING THAT, HIS MAJESTY THE KING, THE QATARI CROWN PRINCE AND THE UAE VICE PRESIDENT HEADED TO THE ENDURANCE VILLAGE NEAR SILEEN WHERE BAHRAIN ROYAL EQUESTRIAN AND ENDURANCE FEDERATION (BREEF) PRESIDENT SHAIKH NASSER BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA AND FIRST DEPUTY PRESIDENT SHAIKH KHALID BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA WERE HONORED TO GREET HIS MAJESTY. HIS MAJESTY KING HAMAD CONGRATULATED KING NASSER ON WINNING THE SILVER MEDAL OF THE FIRST ASIAN GAMES EQUESTRIAN ENDURANCE RACE AND PRAISED HIS EFFORTS AND THOSE OF THE BAHRAINI TEAM, WISHING THEM FURTHER SUCCESS. HIS MAJESTY, THEN, PRESENTED FIRST PLACE WINNER SHAIKH RASHID BIN MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOOM FROM THE UAE WITH HIS GOLD MEDAL, SHAIKH NASSER WITH HIS SILVER MEDAL AND UAE JOCKEY SULTAN BIN SULAYEM WITH HIS BRONZE MEDAL. THE UAE WON A GOLD, BAHRAIN A SILVER AND QATAR A BRONZE AT THE LEVEL OF ENDURANCE TEAMS WHICH WERE PRESENTED BY UAE DEPUTY PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER AND RULER OF DUBAI, SHAIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM. THEN, HM THE KING RECEIVED BAHRAINI CHAMPIONS WHO CLINCHED GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE MEDALS AT THE 15TH ASIAN GAMES AND CONGRATULATED THEM ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS, TIPPING THEIR VICTORIES A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR BAHRAIN AND HAILING THEIR BEST REPRESENTATION OF THE KINGDOM AT REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPORTING GATHERINGS. HM ALSO THANKED IN PARTICULAR THE GENERAL ORGANIZATION FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS (GOYS) FOR ITS TREMENDOUS EFFORTS WHICH WERE BEHIND BAHRAINS EXCELLENCE AT THE ASIAN GAMES 2006 , WISHING THEM EVERY FUTURE SUCCESS. HM THE KING ALSO EXTENDED THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO THE STATE OF QATAR FOR THE GREAT POTENTIALS IT PUT AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE PARTICIPANTS, EXPRESSING ADMIRATION OF THE SOUND ORGANIZATION IT DEMONSTRATED WHICH, HE SAID, REFLECTED THE STATES PROGRESS ALONG WITH THE OTHER GCC COUNTRIES IN THE FIELD OF SPORT. THE CURRENT SUCCESS OF QATAR ENTITLES IT TO HOST THE 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES, HM NOTED, WISHING QATAR EVERY GOOD LUCK TO HOST THE 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES WHICH, HE SAID, WILL REINFORCE THE GULF POSITION ON THE WORLD MAP. HM THE KING ALSO PRAISED THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE GCC STATES IN THE CURRENT ASIAN GAMES 2006, SAYING THAT THESE VICTORIES WERE REGARDED AS BAHRAINS FOR THE COMMON GOALS AND DESTINY AS WELL AS THE EXCELLENT TIES BONDING THEM. BAHRAINS PARTICIPATION IN DOHA ASIAN GAMES WAS MADE DELIBERATELY TO SUCCEED THE EVENT WHICH WAS HELD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AN ARAB COUNTRY, EXPRESSING DELIGHT OVER THE IMPACT THE SIZE OF PARTICIPATION HAD ON THE NUMBER OF MEDALS WON BY THE KINGDOM THAT OUTNUMBERED THE MEDALS CLINCHED IN ALL PREVIOUS CONTESTS TOGETHER. HM THE KING THANKED THE BAHRAINI DELEGATION FOR ITS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AND QATAR FOR THE SOUND ORGANIZATION, WISHING BOTH SIDES FURTHER PROGRESS. ON THE OCCASION, SHAIKH NASSER EXTENDED SINCERE THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO HM THE KING FOR THE SUPPORT HE HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY OFFERING TO BAHRAINI EQUESTRIANS AT INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SPORTING GATHERINGS AND PUSHING THEM FORWARD TOWARDS FURTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO PROMOTE BAHRAIN WORLDWIDE. MTQ 14-DEC-2006 23:33

Bahrain News Agency