Three-day Endurance Cup a success: Sultan

Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Shaikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the 240km Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup in Boud Thib endurance village yesterday.

Staff Report


Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Emirates Heritage Club, hailed the success of the three-day International Endurance Festival which concluded yesterday at the Boud Thib Endurance Village and said it would be an annual affair.

"The three days of endurance rides held here have been highly successful. There is no doubt that such festivals will give rise to a new generation of endurance riders," said Shaikh Sultan, who attended the event on all three days.

Speaking to the media after his son Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Al Nahyan won the 240-km three-day ride, Shaikh Sultan said, "I am satisfied with the display of the riders here.

"This three-day event is very good for both riders and horses. It will bring out the relationship between rider and horse and for us this is what horse riding is all about. It has been the sport of our forefathers and I am happy to see so many young riders taking to the sport," he added.

The Boud Thib Endurance Village was created in 2004 under the Emirates Heritage Club and has since organised many rides with a special focus on junior rides.

"Such rides held regularly will be a great support and boost for youngsters and juniors," said Shaikh Sultan, who also initiated a special ride for novices and riders from smaller stables during the festival.

Apart from two Qualifier Rides, the three-day festival staged a 100-km ride for juniors, the three-day 240-km ride and a 120-km ride for novice riders.

Riders from many countries took part in the festival. "Such rides will give a chance to those riders who come from smaller stables. It will encourage them to graduate to rides in the open competitions.

This festival will be an annual affair," added Shaikh Sultan.

Full Gulf News article

UAE: Al Bloushi emerges winner in 100km ride

Abdul Rahman, Gulf News Maktoum Nawab Nouh Al Bloushi won the 100km endurance ride of the Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup for juniors.

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi: A gleaming new car awaits 17-year-old Maktoum Nawab Nouh Al Bloushi, who won the Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup for juniors yesterday at the Boud Thib Endurance Village.
Nawab and his 9-year-old grey gelding Chupacabra outclassed their rivals to win the 100km ride which was held alongside the three-day 240km event as part of the endurance festival being organised by the Emirates Heritage Club.
Though Nawab may not be able to drive his car, the Abu Dhabi schoolboy will receive the prize at a grand awards function scheduled for tonight to reward winners of all the events.
Nawab, who had previously had only a 10th place finish to boast of did very well to keep Chupacabra in front in the final two loops under conditions favourable to both rider and horse.
"It was good out there today. My horse just wanted to keep going and my trainer Abdulla Saeed Bin Huzaim kept advising me to watch the pace," said the youngster.
Munthar Ahmad Al Baloushi, on Z Califa, finished second to stake claim for the Dh30,000 prize after Ahmad Salem Ali Sultan Al Subosi on Woodlaus Sparkle was eliminated. The latter finished ahead of Munthar but his horse failed the final vet check.
The Boudthib Endurance Village is set for an explosive finish today as the final leg of the 240-km ride will see two cars being won while in the added attraction a 120km ride will also bring together riders from smaller stables to win another two cars on offer.
However, it is the three-day, 240km, event which has brought out the best from a handful of top highly skilled riders. National Day Cup winner Jesus Manuel Berna of Spain and Yousuf Ahmad Al Bloushi, both from the Al Reef Stables, are leading the pack, but the remaining four riders in the leaders' pack are so close that today's 80km final leg is expected to see a fascinating tussle.
Berna and Al Bloushi are followed by Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Majid Mohammad Salman Al Sabri, Shaikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Abdulla Thani Bin Huzaim, with a little under two minutes separating the top six.

Gulf News Article

UAE: Al Sabousi surges into lead

Published: 06/01/2007 12:00 AM (UAE), Abdul Rahman/Gulf News Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2nd left) and Shaikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed (left), in action along with other participants at the three-day 240-km endurance ride.

Al Sabousi surges into lead

Staff Report


Abu Dhabi: Mohammad Rashid Al Sabousi riding 7-year-old Kishon Meleisha led after the first day's 80-km distance in the three-day 240-km Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup Endurance ride here yesterday.

Al Sabousi topped the first leg of this Three-star ride which is part of an action-packed three-day endurance festival being held under the patronage Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Emirates Heritage Club.

While Al Sabousi was part of a closely-bunched group which will resume this morning for the second 80-km distance on the same horses, two Qualifier rides were also held yesterday.

The Endurance Festival, which has cars and large cash awards as prizes for winners, will also stage a 100-km two-star junior ride today while a 120-km ride will also be held tomorrow for Novice riders from smaller stables.

A total of 38 riders started off early yesterday morning in the 240-km event and Al Sabousi took a little over 3 hours 35 minutes to finish just ahead of the two sons of Shaikh Sultan.

Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on ZT Faraventure and his younger brother Shaikh Khalid on Roxborough Zepher were in second and third place.

However, bunched behind the leading trio are some of the top contenders from the in-form Al Reef Stables.

Trainer-rider Yousuf Ahmad Al Baloushi (Charlendre Al Sharif), Majid Mohammad Al Sabri (Zalyella Winder), Jesus Manuel Berna (Risco Moreno) and Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim (Mobasher) finished in that order.

Yousuf Ahmad, who is one of the top riders and Spain's Berna are from Al Reef and will be making a determined effort on day two. Berna, who recently won the National Day Cup to register back-to-back wins, said he would decide on his tactics today.

"It is too early and we have two days to go. So far my horse has been doing well but tomorrow is another day," said the Spaniard, who is a trainer-rider with Al Reef.

Yousuf, who is one of the most consistent riders in the UAE said he will be going all out for a good result.

"This is a prestigious event and to keep the horse if fit condition for three days is a challenge. It is a small field but there are some good riders," said the Al Reef star.

"The key to the ride will depend on how the leader board is after the 160-km mark," he added.

The rides are being held at the Boudthib Endurance Village in Al Khatem in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Gulf News Article

Malaysian king arrives in Abu Dhabi

Malaysian king arrives in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi: Malaysia's king Tuanku Mizan Zain Al Abidin arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday on a visit to the UAE. He was received by Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and President of Emirates Heritage Club (HCT), Ambassador of Malaysia Dato' Abdul Mubin Razali and other officials. The visit is at an invitation from Shaikh Sultan to attend the three-day international endurance races from tomorrow under Shaikh Sultan's patronage.


Gulf News

Graham, Harmon help NZ team overcome Australian challenge

by DAVID DAWKINS - The Marlborough Express | Thursday, 4 January 2007

Marlborough riders led the charge as New Zealand continued their dominance of Australia in the Trans-Tasman Endurance Riding Challenge held at Twynham near St Arnaud on Tuesday.

Helen Graham and her mount, affectionately known as Ricky, were a class above the competition winning the 120km junior ride which doubled as the South Island junior title ride. Fellow Marlburian Linda Harmon, riding Landon V-erah, completed the 120km senior event in Landon V-erah's first attempt at the distance.

The win saw New Zealand retain the title they defended in Australia in 2005. New Zealand also won the inaugural Trans-Tasman Challenge in 2004.

A 100 percent completion rate by the New Zealand team highlighted the Kiwi performance as the Aussies struggled to adapt to their borrowed mounts and the hard, stoney conditions. Only one senior and two junior Australian riders completed the event. Most were vetted out after the 100km mark with stone bruises and what New Zealand endurance team manager Del Bissell described as "minor lameness".

"They pushed a bit harder than we would have, but then we know the country a bit better," Bissell said. "We certainly rode more conservatively than they did."

Bissell put the Kiwis' success and remarkable completion rate down to good team management and good coaching.

"Everybody listened to what they had to do, especially the juniors, they were brilliant," she said.

The event doubled as the South Island championship where Kylie Avery continued her impressive run, riding Silands Jasark to victory in the senior 100km event on Monday.

Marlexpress.co.nz - article

Results: Barroca d'Alva- Pre-ride 2007 European Championship Portugal

No: E1_POR048_06
Date: 07.10.2006

Event: CEI 3* Barroca d'Alva (POR)

Competition: CEI 3*

Rank Rider Horse
1 FIORUCCI Fausto JAIFAR

2 FRANCES Jean Philippe HANABA DU BOIS

3 YEOMAN Christine FAROUK DE LOZELLE

4 BARBAS Ana PAPOILA

5 AMANTE João PEPA-BEN-RITA

6 FIALHO Filipe SULTANA BEN DANDY

- ALVAREZ PONTON Maria Mercedes ISKA
- AMBROSIO Gaetano HASSAN THE KING
- ATGER Virginie KAENA
- AVO Guilherme LEVADA
- BARRADAS José RODIN DA CASA VELHA
- BATISTA Ricardo relvas NINA BEN RITA
- BEGAUD Jack JADE
- BELLE Laurie HYACINTHE IV
- CAEIRO André SOLERO TONECAS
- COMAS MOLIST Monica DALI
- CORIOU Andre JOLIE QUATRE VENTS
- DETREZ Anne IPSO DE LA DROME
- DIAS Luis RE-ELEITO
- ERIKSSON Anneli ROMARIO
- FRANCAS BOIX Jordi TRO DE MALANYEU
- GERVASONI Carlo COSROE GAWHAR
- GIACCHERO Patrizia JERANA DE LUX
- GODINHO Pedro MAGICA
- GONCALVES Laetitia MADDIRAN
- KANAVY Valerie SEGAR
- KELLEWAY Sarah TAKHAR PR
- KERJEAN Thierry JAMIN
- LAMAS Luis QUE VISTA
- LISSARRAGUE Barbara PERSIAH
- LOPEZ MAESO Francisco RED EXPRESS
- LUQUE MORAL Alex ATIKLAN
- MATOS Nuno QUI-ÇA CASA VELHA
- MEXIA DE ALMEIDA João ROLHA
- MONTEIRO Rui Manuel Ruivo DESCARADO II
- OWEN Emma Louise BRIGHT VESPER
- PABLO JOSE LOPEZ SANCHEZ PABLO JOSE RUFO
- PERNA Vincenzo MISTRALE
- PESCE Denis STIK
- POTTRICK Ulrike EL ENCANTADOR
- RAPOSO Joao QUINZA
- SUSANO João INFANTE
- TABORDA FERREIRA Mariana RABITA
- TILQUIN Gregoire FLAMMOTH
- TOMAS Philippe IRMAK CABIRAT
- TORRES VILLALON PEDRO VIKINGO
- VILHENA RODRIGUES Antonio josé Q.B.
- WELCH Anna FAX DE SKY

FEI Website

Sporting Linda helps Kiwis' rivals

By BETHANY MARETT - The Timaru Herald | Friday, 29 December 2006


It's not everyday you lend your "sports gear" to the opposition, but for Timaru woman Linda Pullar it's all about sportsmanship.

While Pullar will not be competing in the trans-Tasman 120km endurance horse riding event in Nelson next week, two of her horses will – carrying Australian riders.

While many poeple would question the rivalry, Pullar said it was all about sportsmanship and prestige.

Her Kishon Arabian stud has become internationally known for producing endurance horses with two already sold overseas.

The trans-Tasman event was a good way to enhance that reputation she said.

And athough she still hopes to be selected for the New Zealand team one day, in the meantime she has the satisfaction of seeing the horses she has trained taking part in the event.

Pullar has clocked up nearly 2000km on her nine-year-old horse Kishon Fashamatazz, which one of the Australians will ride.

Kishon Abigail, at seven years old, is not quite as experienced, but will be the ride for a second Australian team member .

While preparing two horses would be work enough, Pullar has also qualified a further two horses as "spare wheels".

Unfortunately one of the wheels has already fallen off as one horse has contracted mud fever due to the recent damp conditions and will not compete.

Kishon Brittany Blue, owned by her daughter Veronica will now be the sole travelling reserve.

The Australian riders will try out the horses the day before the race, then deciding on which to compete.

Pullar said hopping on a new horse was not a problem for experineced riders.

"They know how to drive, and where the gears are, they just have to adjust to the different model."

So is she right? While I haven't ridden for nearly two years and was never a spectacular jockey at the best of times, I took up the offer and saddled up for some endurnace training of my own.

I certainly hope the Australian riders are better than me because after I had spent two minutes on the sprightly Fashamatazz, Pullar suggested I board the somewhat more sedate Brittany.

But after going round the block at an energetic trot I soon understood how a well-trained horse made the rider's job that much easier.

While Brittany might be the "spare wheel" she gave me a great ride home – safely, securely and even left me without a sore bottom.

[More ...]