UAE: International Riders to compete in Al Maktoum Cup

World’s best in UAE

The world's leading riders descend upon the UAE this week for the inaugural AED1.5milllion HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup 2008 - the world's most valuable endurance event.

Omega is the title sponsor of the FEI CEI*** 160km event held at Dubai International Endurance City on Saturday, and it has attracted three of the world's top 10 riders, according to the FEI World Wide Rankings, including the second-ranked Frenchman Jack Begaud.

The ride is over six loops and starts at 6am and has enticed 26 overseas-based riders in total, as well as many of the top UAE riders.

The ride is organized by the Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC), whose General Manager Ali Moosa Al Khamiri, said: "The HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup is set to be one of the top sporting events taking place in the UAE, and we are indebted to the vision of His Highness for making it happen.

"Endurance has a huge profile in the UAE, where many of the best riders hail from, and it is fitting that the country hosts such a prestigious event, one which we hope will become the centerpiece of the endurance season worldwide.

"We are indebted also to Omega, our title sponsor, and are delighted that they have been rewarded with such a top-class line-up of riders. We wish everyone an enjoyable day, and wish all those taking part the best of luck."

Entrance is free and spectators can sample the action up close on the course as DEC will operate a fleet of 4x4 cars for desert drives. Alternatively, fans can keep in touch with the action via big screens.

There will be plenty of action off the track too with a variety of family entertainment and a jazz band that will play throughout the afternoon.
A full field of International riders will compete in the 2008 Shk Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum cup.

Riders from France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, Norway and Australia include:

Jack Begaud
Virgine Atger
Jean Philippe Frances
Sophie Arnaud
Philippe Tomas
Jean Michel Grimal
Philippe Benoit
Cecile Miletto
Larent Mosti
Elodie Le Labourier
Julie Lafaure
Barbara Lissarrague
Marianne Hahnel
Sabrina Arnold
Ander Mato Garcia
Yon Zabalua
Karin Boulanger
Anna Williams
Janice Cockley Adams
Liz Taylor
Patrizia Giacchero
Fausto Fiorucci
Gianluca Laliscia
Rui Pereira
Ellen Suhr
Meg Wade

Abu Dhabi: Khalid corners glory with fine show - Jan 5 2008

Gulfnews.com - Full story
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: January 05, 2008, 23:10

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan rode Nemer to a fantastic victory in the gruelling three-day 240-km Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup, the feature event of the three-day endurance festival which ended on Saturday at the Boudtheib Endurance Village.

After his elder brother Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the defending champion was eliminated on the second day, Shaikh Khalid paced himself well and made his move in the final 20-kms of the 240-km ride to score a great win on the 10-year-old chestnut gelding Nemer.

It was Mohammad Hamad Mohammad Saeed Al Junaibi on Ramalea Captain Starlight who went out on the final stage after being in the lead for the whole of the second day and also after the first two stages yesterday.

Al Junaibi took off on the final 20-km loop almost four minutes ahead of Shaikh Khalid with Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi on Akasha Sansation and Abdullah Khamis Ali Saeed on Risco Moreno in fourth place.

Al Junaibi's horse seemed to be tested to the limit as Shaikh Khalid on Nemer began to make his move.

Battle for supremacy

The two battled for supremacy and Shaikh Khalid's decision to hold back Nemer during the earlier stages seemed to pay off.

The two went on to finish first and then Nemer came tops in the final vet check despite doing a speed of 26.83 kmph on that final leg.

Al Junaibi's horse Ramalea Captain Starlight was found lame and had to be eliminated leaving Al Reef Stable's Risco Moreno, under Abdullah Khamis Ali Saeed, win the second place for the second time.

Last year Jesus Manuel Berna had won on Rico Moreno behind Shaikh Hazza.

Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi on Akasha Sansation did well to finish third after being in the top five from the second stage onwards in the nine-stage ride.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Shaikh Zayed Bin Mohammad Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and Masoud Al Awar, Special Advisor to Chairman, Sorouh - the sponsors of the three-day festival which included a 120-km ride for Juniors, a 120-km ride for privately-owned stables, the 240-km three-day ride and two Federation Qualifiers-attended the prize distribution ceremony. "I have been preparing for this ride for some time now and am extremely happy to win it," said Shaikh Khalid.

Commenting on the tactics he used, Shaikh Khalid said, "Well, I did not go in with any fixed line of tactics.

"Most of it depended on how my horse was faring and also on how the other riders were progressing."

"However after two days and 160kms, I though I had a good chance today as my horse looked in top form," said the winner.

Well, I did not go in with any fixed line of tactics. Most of it depended on how my horse was faring and also on how the other riders were progressing."

Gulfnews.com

Bahrain: Manal clinches women's title - Jan 5 2008

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full story

MANAL Fakhrawi was crowned champion of the women's race while Ali Busaffar won the men's event in the National Guard Open Endurance Horseride Championship yesterday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village premises in Sakhir. The championship, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), featured the first women's race in the season besides a men's race, both over 100 kms.

The races were divided into four stages as 30 kms are set for the first two stages, 25 kms for the third and 15 kms for the fourth.

Riding Chronic Milky Way from the Royal Endurance Team, Manal emerged winner with a total time of four hours, 14 minutes and two seconds.

Behind her was Latifa Al Shaikh (4:14:31) from Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Stable while Qatari rider Khadija Al Bastaki (4:18:55) was third in.

Busaffar, representing Al Asayel Stable, steered Hemrick to a first-place finish in five hours, two minutes and seven seconds.

He was followed by Isa Al Dossary (5:03:31) of Al Fateh Stable in second place with Al Asayel Stable rider Nisar Hassan (5:07:36) third.

The event also comprised two qualifying races over 85-kgs and 60-kgs which will be open to new riders and horses.

The 85-km race were split into three stages, including 30 kms for the first two stages and 25 kms for the third while the 60-km event consists of two stages, each over 30 kms.

The event was held under the patronage of National Guard commander Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa who honoured the winners in each race at the prize-distribution ceremony.

The event was also attended by Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Breef second vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and other officials.

Shaikh Mohammed congratulated the winners and thanked the riders from Bahrain and other GCC countries for taking part.

Shaikh Mohammed also praised the federation board and committee members for their efforts in organising the race, wishing them further success and progress.

Results (horse, total ride time):

Women: 1 Manal Fakhrawi (Chronic Milky Way, 4:14:02); 2 Latifa Al Shaikh (Anwar Al Mammlakah, 4:14:31); 3 Khadija Al Bastaki (4:18:55); 4 Sara Baban (Falah Ohood, 4:20:12)l 5 Shaikh Najla bint Salman Al Khalifa (Lalik Du Parc, 4:38:20); 6 Caisha Smith (Cedar Ridge Independence, 5:31:34); 7 Hannan Al Dawadi (Al Arem, 6:17:47); 8 Esther Ghuloom (Kabyle Armor, 6:22:34).

Men: 1 Ali Busaffar (Hemrick, 5:02:07); 2 Isa Al Dossary (Bedouin De Piboul, 5:03:31); 3 Jaffar Al Alawi (R S Iman, 5:55:38); 4 Mubarak Al Rowaie (Swoop, 6:08:19); 5 Baqer Ali (Shahhar, 6:20:02).

Gulf-daily-news.com

Abu Dhabi: Fahad is first Omani to win endurance race - Jan 4 2008

Khaleejtimes.com - Full story

By Amith Passela

ABU DHABI - Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan stayed on course of his title defence of the three-day 240-kilometre endurance race for Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup sponsored by Sorouh here at the Boudthib Endurance Village yesterday.

Shaikh Hazza held a slender lead on 11-year-old Crossbred Anglo Arab gelding Akab after the opening day's 80-kilometre stage from last season’s leading rider Yousef Ahmed Al Baloushi astride Zara Farm Chandalii.

Only 30 minutes separated the top 20 riders at the end of the opening stage of the race run over three loops. Shaikh Hazza clocked three hours 12 minutes and 56 second, just nine seconds ahead of Al Baloushi.

A further half-a-minute in third was Mohammed Saeed Al Junaibi on Ramalea Captain Starlight, followed by Ali Al Muhairi onboard Akasha Sensation, Jassim Ali Al Hammadi (Nadja Lotoise) and Shaikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Nemer).

Shaikh Hazza finished strongly after completing the first 30km loop in 16th. He moved up 10 places in the next 30 kilometres and headed the field on the last 20km loop of the day.

Yousef Ahmed predicted a close race after the first day's standings. "The field is closely grouped and looks like a wide open race at this stage. For me, it's a good position to be in when we start day two, which will be much tougher."

The Al Reef Stable rider has already won two races for the season and finished a creditable second behind Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri in the National Day Cup race three weeks ago.

The three-day ride that has drawn 59 entries is part of the annual endurance festival under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Boudthib Endurance Village.

The opening day also saw a 120-kilometre race for private stables and individuals, and won by Abu Dhabi based Omani rider Fahad Abdulla Al Baloushi on 15-year-old Crossbred mare Nakita owned by Mohammed Ahmed Khalifa Al Hameli.

Fahad incidentally became the first Omani national to win an endurance race in the Emirates. "I'm not aware of any such record but I'll remember this for a long, long time, it being my first win since I began riding two years ago."

Private stable

The 23-year-old who works for a private stable in Abu Dhabi made almost every yard of the running to complete the distance in more than five hours and 46 minutes.

Fahad lost a podium finish in a similar race at Boudthib last month when his horse was vetted out for metabolic after crossing the finish line in second.

"It was a very bitter experience," said Fahad.

"This time I didn’t have to push my horse hard as the second horse was a long way back. I thought I had the race when going into the second last loop."

Fahad lost the lead briefly in the second loop but was in front again from there onwards to go on and win the race by more than 10 minutes from Al Ain Stables Hamad Ibrahim Al Marzouqi on Milqui, who occupied the same spot as he did in a similar race category last week in the Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1.

The second stage of the main ride will start at 6.30am today and will include a 120-kilometre race for Young Riders and Juniors, worked off simultaneously as the second day's programme.

Khaleejtimes.com

Bahrain: Top stables eye endurance title - Jan 4 2008

Bahrainendurance.com - Full story

RIDERS from leading stables are gearing up for the National Guard Endurance Horseride Championship to be organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) on Saturday at 6am at the Bahrain International Endurance Village premises in Sakhir.

This is the second event of the 2007-08 season and will include the first women's race of the season to be held over 100 kms.

Al Fateh Stable will be one of the leaing teams taking part in the women's race with Shaikha Muneera bint Salman Al Khalifa and her sister Shaikha Najla bint Salman Al Khalifa top contenders for the individual title.

The sisters had a month-long extensive training programme under their father and coach Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa.

The sisters have thanked Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa for his support in organising the women's race.

Shaikh Nasser earlier said the Royal Endurance Team will not be allowed to participate in the event. This decision was taken with a view of providing an opportunity for other stables to take part in a high profile event like this.

The federation, meanwhile, have received confirmation from several stables, including the Kingdom's Stable from Saudi Arabia who will be taking part in this event for the second successive year.

The women's team include Alya'a Al Huwaiti, Latifa Al Shaikh, Noora Al Yousif, Sara Baban and team head Najeeb Al Burjus. The Saudi team will be sponsored by the Kingdom Holding Company chairman Prince Al Waleed bin Talal.

The event, to be held under the patronage of National Guard chief Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, will be divided into four stages - the first two stages will consist of 30 kms each, the third will be over 25 kms and the fourth 15 kms.

A men's race over 100 kms will also be held besides two qualifying races over 85-kms and 60-kms open to new riders and horses.

The 85-km race will be divided into three stages, 30 kms for the first two stages and 25 kms for the third while the 60-km event consists of two stages, each over 30 kms.

Among the top riders taking part in the men's race is Isa Ali who will be riding Silver Fox, owned by Zaynab Isa. Ali said he is confident of achieving a good result in the race.

Registration will continue tomorrow till the commencement of veterinary tests at 2.30pm at the Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The organising committee earlier approved the technical and judging teams for the championship.

The judging committee will be headed by Abdulsamad Al Busta and include Ghalib Al Alawi, Haider Al Zo'bi, Ali Ghuloom and assistant judge Haider Rafii.

The official commissioner is Mohammed Dadulla who will be assisted by Mahmood Abdulsaheb and Fahad Al Rumaihi.

Dr Abbas Al Haiki was named head of the veterinary committee which includes Ibrahim Yousef, Abu Obaida Adam, Mohammed Al Hammad, Mohammed Safi, Khalid Ahmed, Adam Sabeel, Abdulrahman Abulshook, Farida Abdulrazzaq, Sabad Al Ka'ab, Mirghani Jelani and Ahmed Dhaif.

Bahrainendurance.com

New Zealand Disease Specialists Learn from Australia Equine Flu - Jan 4 2008

Thehorse.com

by: The Horse Staff
January 04 2008, Article # 11111

New Zealand exotic disease specialists drafted into the equine influenza response team battling the outbreak of equine influenza in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, will apply knowledge gained through handling this outbreak to improve their emergency response system.

"From the NSW experience it is apparent that equine influenza could travel from one end of New Zealand to another in a very short time," said Helen Crabb, an epidemiologist from Waikato, center of New Zealand's equine industry. "The best way New Zealand can prepare veterinarians for outbreaks of exotic diseases is to send people to work on outbreaks across the world such as England's foot and mouth and Australia's (equine influenza)."

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Al Beloushi makes dream debut - Jan 4 2008

Gulfnews.com - Full story

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: January 04, 2008

Abu Dhabi: It was a dream debut for Rashed Ahmad Al Beloushi as the 14-year-old younger brother of Al Reef champion Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi won the Sorouh-sponsored 120-km Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for Junior & Young riders here yesterday.

Rashed, whose elder brother was the top UAE rider of the 2006-07 season, unleashed a terrific final stage speed of over 33.96 kmph to move from fifth place to winner on 10-year-old chestnut mare Sekura.

The win was a proud moment for the family as Sekura is trained by Yousuf Ahmad at the Al Reef Stables in Al Ain, and made up for the champion's exit a few hours earlier in the three-day 240-km ride at the same venue.

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