UAE: Al Bloushi keeps good work going for Al Reef

(photo:
Megan Hirons/Gulf News
Winner Omair Hussain Al Bloushi rejoices as he starts the last lap of the Nakheel-sponsored 120km endurance race. )

Abu Dhabi: Young rider Omeir Hussain Al Bloushi won his second ride of the season and kept the Al Reef Stable's flag flying high at the Dubai International Endurance City here yesterday.

Omeir partnered Al Barak to win the Nakheel-sponsored 120km Endurance Ride here yesterday from a field of 72 who started at 6.15am yesterday.

Completing the 5-stage ride in 4 hours 43 minutes and 14 seconds, at an average speed of 25.22kmph, the pair gave the all-conquering Al Reef Stables their seventh win in nine rides of the current UAE endurance season.

"It is great to win as all the top riders were in the running for a win today. Al Barak is a great endurance horse and I was always confident.

"I thank Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and all those at Al Reef Stables who have been supporting me ever since I took up this sport," said Omeir, who has also notched up quite a few wins as a junior rider.

"After the very first stage, when we were placed fourth, I knew we had a good chance. Al Barak just kept going throughout the ride," said the winner.

It was Dubai's Mansour Ahmad Al Sabousi who prevented a clean sweep of the top three places by Al Reef riders when he finished second on Dunwingeri Maakhal, around 11 minutes behind the winner.

Al Reef's Yousuf Ahmad Al Bloushi and Spaniard Jesus Manuel Al Berna finished third and fourth, respectively, as the Abu Dhabi stable extended their total domination.


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UAE: Al Reef Champs

By Amith Passela

28 January 2007

DUBAI — The Al Reef Stables won their seventh endurance silverware from nine races when Omair Husain Al Baloushi claimed yesterday’s 120-kilometre Nakheel Challenge here at the Dubai International Endurance City.

Omair won with more than 10 minutes to spare on 15-year-old Crossbred gelding Al Barak for his second endurance silverware of the season for the Abu Dhabi Stables of Shaikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Mansoor Ahmed Al Sabousi onboard 14-year-old grey gelding Dunwingeri Maakhal crossed the finish line in second ahead of the Al Reef pair Yousef Ahmed Al Baloushi on Algalahn and Jesus Manuel Berna astride Estaban.

“It has already been a remarkable season and today’s win was another wonderful result for the stable,” said Omair, who was claiming his second endurance silverware of the season. “The race was tough as usual and my horse gave me a great ride. He was travelling well throughout the race and when it came to a push he found an extra gear to pick up again,” added Omair, who also won a junior ride at the start of the season to follow up his two victories in open class.

His more experienced stable companions, cousin Yousef and Spaniard Berna, occupied third and fourth spots. Both Yousef and Berna have won two races each and with Omair’s success yesterday, have won six of the seven rides between them for the Al Reef.

“It really don’t matter who crosses the finish line first as long as Al Reef is winning,” said Yousef, who broke the course record last week at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

“It’s a fantastic result for the stables. The horses are in great shape thanks to the excellent team we have spread between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. I think everyone has contributed in the stables success,” added Yousef, an assistant trainer in the stables Al Ain wing.

Results of the top 5 finishers: 1. Omair Husain Al Baloushi in 4hrs 43min 14 sec on Al Barak for the Al Reef Stables. 2. Mansoor Ahmed Al Sabousi, 4.54-12, Dunwingeri Maarkhal (His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai). 3. Yousef Ahmed Al Baloushi, 4.56.23, Algalahn (Al Reef). 4. Jesus Manuel Berna (Esp), 4.58.11, Estaban (Al Reef). 5. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, 5.18.36, Iknour de la Biro (Al Asafa Limited).

Khaleej Times Article

Qatar: Bahraini rider in third place

SHAIKH Mohammed bin Khalid bin Saqer Al Khalifa of Al Fateh Stable made a superb international debut by taking third place overall in the junior category of the 12-km GCC Endurance Horseride Championship held in Doha yesterday.
Riding Valentino, the young Bahraini crossed the finish line in six hours, 16 minutes 39 seconds among 30 riders from across the Gulf region who took part in the event which was won by Qatar's Mohammed Al Mirri of Al Shaqab Stable riding Bentley.
Second was Abdulrahman Mohammed, another Qatari rider who steered Jawab who is owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin Nawaf Al Thani.
The race was divided into five stages, starting with 30km for the first two stages, 25km for the third, 20km for the fourth and 15km for the fifth.
Shaikh Mohammed was one of three Bahrainis who participated in the junior race. The remaining two were Shaikh Saqer bin Khalid Al Khalifa and Mohammed Abdulsamad.
In the senior section, five Bahraini riders were in the fray. They were Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa, Shaikh Ahmed bin Saqer Al Khalifa, Abdulrahman Al Saad, Jaffer Mirza and Ali Bosafar.
Shaikh Mohammed said he was delighted over this result on his maiden international appearance.
Shaikh Mohammed dedicated the victory to Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa who supported him at the race.
Shaikh Mohammed confirmed that the level of competition at the race was high and he did not expect to take a podium finish. But he was proud to make up for the disappointing results of the other Bahraini riders in this category.
In the senior race, all five Bahraini entrants were unable to complete the race which was also over 120km and split into five stages of similar distances.
Meanwhile, Shaikh Nasser congratulated Shaikh Mohammed on taking third place in the race, saying that it was a well-earned result for Shaikh Mohammed who performed well throughout the race.
Gulf Daily News article

French Juniors to miss Argentina WEC

The favourites to win the Junior World Championships will be following the race from the comfort of their own homes this year.

France's chef d'equipe Jean-Louis Leclerc has announced that his talented team, winners in the Czech Republic last year, will not be participating."It is a very long way and expensive to travel without sponsorship and the ride comes at a difficult time of year for french schools".

The 2007 World Endurance Championship for Juniors and Young Riders will be held on March 16 at the Campo de Mayo “Escuela Militar de Equitación” one of the most well known equestrian venues in the region where several major equestrian international competitions in several disciplines have already taken place. The new venue is only 35 km. away from Buenos Aires downtown.

More information can be found at the 2007 J/YR Web website: http://www.mundialyr.com.ar/ingles.html

UAE: Strong field likely for Nakheel endurance ride

26/01/2007


Dubai: Nakheel will be once again lending their valued support to Dubai's fourth ride of the season, to be held at the Dubai International Endurance City tomorrow.

The Nakheel Endurance Ride is an FEI CEI 120-km event and is expected to attract a strong field as the UAE endurance season gets into top gear.

The Nakheel Ride starts at 6.15am at the Dubai International Endurance City, which is one of the world's top endurance venues with state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities.

Yousuf Ahmad Al Bloushi, the winner of the Dubai World-sponsored opening ride of the season here, Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi, who took the Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Ride, and Omega Cup winner Yousuf Abdullah Al Hammadi are all expected to be part of a strong field of riders. The ride will be run in five stages of 32, 32, 27, 18 and 11kms.

Tomorrow's Nakheel ride also assumes importance as points won here will count for the Dubai Endurance Challenge - a new competition unveiled by the Dubai Equestrian Club this season.

Collect points

Worth a total sum of Dh700,000, the Dubai Endurance Challenge will take into account all FEI rides staged at the Dubai International Endurance City for the 2006-2007 season.

Riders, trainers, horses and stables will earn points depending on their finishing position in these rides, and, at the end of the season, the table toppers will be crowned the Dubai Endurance Challenge Champion Rider, Trainer, Horse and Stable respectively.

Manal Shaheen, Director - Sales, Marketing & Customer Service, said: "Endurance racing has a rich heritage within the UAE, and Nakheel has a long history of support for the sport.

"Nakheel is building the vision of Dubai, but in looking towards the future, we must not forget our past. We are therefore very proud of our association with the Dubai Endurance Challenge."



Gulf News article

Bahrain: Prime Minister's Cup endurance race is set

Thursday 25 January 2007

BAHRAIN Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) is organising an Endurance Race for Prime Minister's Cup on February 3 at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

This race over 120 kms will be held for the first time following directives from Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Nasser said he is honoured to get the green signal from Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to organise this event. The Breef chief said the race will be open to seniors and junior from Bahrain and overseas. The federation has already started preparations for this prestigious event by sending out invitations to all leading riders in the GCC.

This race will be the fourth of the season which kicked off with the Season Opening Championship. The Kingdom Holding Championship and the Bahrain International Open Championship were the other two events.

Meanwhile, Euro Motors have come forward to sponsor Breef activities for the rest of the season. The exclusive importers for Land Rover Bahrain presented Breef with five 2005 model Land Rovers for use during its events to be held till May 5 this year.
Other major events due this season are His Majesty the King's Cup on March 7, a 120-km race on April 7 and an 100-km Open Endurance Championship on May 5. Euro Motors will also have a BMW displayed at the village to showcase some of BMW's latest premium luxury vehicles.

Gulf News article

Sheikha Hassa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan attends ride

Sheikha Maryam wins Al Masaood Jewellery Endurance Cup
- 22 Jan 2007
Sheikha Maryam bint Omer Al Qassimi rode to a thumping victory in the 80-km FEI CEI Two-star Al Masaood Jewellery Endurance Cup held on Friday, January 19, 2007 at the Al Asayel Endurance Centre, Sweihan, Abu Dhabi. She finished the ride in a timing of 3 hours 28 minutes and 45 seconds riding on an average speed of 22.99 kmph. The ride was part of the three-round Asayl Ladies Championship.

Sheikha Maryam partnered 10-year-old Anglo Arab Grey Gelding Kalkadoon Kampala, owned by Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qassimi.

hough Sheikha Madiya Hasher Manan Al Maktoum crossed the finish line first, her horse Huzie D Ax was eliminated after the final vet check. As many as 31 ladies had a mass start at 6. 30 am and 13 of them completed the ride.

Second place went to Spanish rider Maria Alvarez Ponton who rode 11-year-old Grey Gelding Agecroft Jos on an average speed of 22.90 kmph to complete the distance in three hours, 29 minutes and 35 seconds. Third place went to Layla Abdul Aziz Al Radha who rode Darling Du Couderc and took a time of 3 hours, 56 minutes and 31 seconds and rode on an average speed of 20.29 kmph.

The ride was attended by Sheikha Hassa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan, mother of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sheikha bint Saif Al Nahyan, wife of His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, who gave away the prizes and the trophies to the winning ladies said: "I am very pleased to see all the young girls coming together and participating in the endurance ride in one arena. We like to encourage young ladies to train themselves in endurance and expect larger participation in the future." She thanked Dr. Sheikh Sultan for his continuous guidance and support for the young ladies.

Sheikha Alyazia bint Sultan al Nahyan, Manager of the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, which organized the ride in cooperation with the UAE Equestrian Federation, said: "This is good beginning for the Emirati lady riders who sometimes find it difficult to ride along with men. There were lot of requests from young lady riders for a separate ride just for women and Al Asayl decided to organize this three round championship. We hope to get more participants for the future rides."

Sheikha Alyazia who also rode in the championship decided to retire at Gate 2 keeping "the health of the horse in mind." However she was quite happy that her sister Sheikh Hissa bint Sultan al Nahyan finished in the fourth place. She said they are looking forward to organize rides in bigger scale and are open to suggestions.

A beaming and excited Sheikha Maryam who finished in the first place said that though she had been riding for the last seven years she had never taken part in a championship ride. "When I started off today, I was confident of finishing in the first place but had doubts." Her happiness was double fold as her sister Sheikha Hissa bint Omer Al Qassimi had also successfully completed the ride in the eighth place. She said the course was very rough and challenging and posed a real endurance test for the riders and the horses. Sheikha Maryam has taken a temporary break from studies at HCT to manage Dahaisa Stables in Ras Al Khaimah.

Layla Abdul Aziz Al Redha is not new to endurance riding. She has participated in several international championships with good success rate. She said she took part in the Al Asayl Championship for the 'beautiful experience it provided."

Other ladies who complete the 80-km ride are:

4. Sheikha Hissa bint Sultan Al Nahyan, Salashil, 4 hours, six minutes, 19 seconds
5. Brenda Cooke, Sazeldean Falaan, 4 hours, six minutes, 25 seconds 6. Mari Gallicu, Mutafawq, 4 hours, 7 minutes, 20 seconds
7. Muna Alhai Abdul Aziz Alhai, Highland View Mckilfop, 4 hours, 12 minutes, 20 seconds
8. Sheikha Hissa bint Omar Al Qassimi, Bartimaeis, 4 hours, 12 minutes, 21 seconds
9. Sue Sidebottom, Saphire de Sinuhe, 4 hours, 14 minutes, 20 seconds
10. Martha Mary Misheff, Zad Al Khyr, 4 hours, 17 minutes 40 seconds
11. Dac Deruy, Tasia, 4hours, 21 minutes and 10 seconds
12. Daniele Winker, Eurales Joice, 4 hours, 50 minutes, 29 seconds

The day also witnessed 40-km Federation Qualifier in which six riders out of ten participants qualified. Those qualified include:

Cristina Calin, (Cindy), Reema Shaban Ibrahim Al Hasan (Rivendell Sharman), Amna Jumaa Al Alawi (Soughan/Shakira), Madiyah Massaod Al Mehairi (Sulia), Azza Mohd. Helal Al Kaabi (Sahl), Humyan bint Khalid Al Meraikhi (Randa).

The Al Asayl Ladies Endurance Championship Round 2 and Round 3 are scheduled to be held on February 9 and March 9, 2007 respectively, at the end of which the Ladies Champion will be selected based on a point system.