UAE riders making the difference

Gulf News - full article

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Report
Published: January 14, 2008, 00:54

Abu Dhabi: Much before Saturday's His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, the UAE riders had asserted their superiority by winning World, European, Asian and Pan Arab championships.

But Saturday's world record for a 160-km ride by Omair Hussain Al Beloushi on 11-year-old Charlandre Al Sharif left many of the equestrian world's top brass gasping in disbelief.

Omair and Charlandre bettered the old record set by another UAE rider last year by more than 13 minutes, but more than the effort it was the manner in which it was achieved that drew admiration from the vast bunch of riders and officials.

After doing speeds of around 25 kmph over the first three loops, Omair took just under two minutes to present his horse for the veterinary check. But when after 140kms, Omair and Charlandre Al Sharif still registered an incredible speed of 30.29kmph on the final loop, a large gathering waited to see how the horse would fare at the final vet check before being named winner.

Sinking in

And when the electronic heart-beat rate monitor flashed 49 beats per minute, which was much lower than the allowed 65bpm, did the record-breaking effort really sink in?

Two-time world champion Valerie Kanavy from the US did 9 hrs and 07 second when the 1998 World Endurance Championship was held here.

Most of the UAE riders and their crew watched as Kanavy's team impressed with their crewing during the ride and in between the loops.

On Saturday the world watched when the UAE horses, particularly Charlandre Al Shariff took less than two minutes to recover during the first five loops!

The winner averaged a speed of 24.71 kmph for the 160km ride while the best-placed international rider, Laurent Most of France on Khandela des Vialette averaged 20.20kmph while finishing 9th.

In perspective

Putting Saturday's world record in perspective was Ian Williams, head of FEI Endurance Committee. "This course is not easy as many riders have told me, it is a challenging course. There is a limit and we are getting close to that."

"These are elite horse and are unique. And if they keep coming back and doing the same speeds, then we have to accept and respect them," he said.

"The UAE riders are uncovering hidden talent, they are digging deeper and only time will tell. But with our veterinary checking system quite tight we have to agree that this is something special," he added.

Saturday's world record for a 160-km ride by Omair Hussain Al Beloushi on 11-year-old Charlandre Al Sharif left many of the equestrian world's top brass gasping in disbelief.

Malaysia's King finishes HH Shk Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup

photo: His Majesty riding Ibrahim Pascha Larzac (left) and Halim riding Ismayla D'Escailine crossing the finish at the HH Shk. Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup.

January 13, 2008
Endurance.Net

His Majesty Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, King of Malaysia, crossed the finish line of the 160km (100 mile) Endurance race at 8:16 PM for a total ride time of 11:07:01. His Majesty and Malaysian rider Abdul Halim Ali Han both completed the race after dark for 29th and 30th place finishes, out of a starting field of 137 riders.

The event, named in honor of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, rule of Dubai and Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, was one of the world's premier Endurance Events, held at the Emirates International Endurance City in Dubai, UAE. In addition to a large field of UAE riders, there was a large field of top foreign riders in attendance at the invitation of the Organizing Committee.

The race was won by UAE rider Omair Husain Al Bloushi riding Charlandre El Shari in 6:28:28 - a record breaking time for a 160km course. Top placing foreign rider was Laurent Mosti from France, riding Khandela des Vialette to a 9th place finish with a time of 7:55.

Official results can be found at Dubai International Endurance City website.

Photos and event coverage can be seen at Endurance.Net coverage website.

UAE: Omair's World Record

Gulf News: Full Article and more photos




photo Gulf News: Omair Hussain Al Beloushi canters home holding the UAE flag as he celebrates his victory in the 160-km Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup 2008 at Dubai International Endurance City at Seih Assalem in Dubai on Saturday.

Omair's world record

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: January 12, 2008, 23:29

Dubai: Some of the world's top riders were awestruck when the UAE's Omair Hussain Al Beloushi on 11-year-old Charlandre El Sharif chose the world's richest-ever endurance ride to set a world record, which will take some beating.

The inaugural Omega-sponsored His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, which was billed as the most valuable endurance ride in the world, will now go down in history for also attracting the most number of riders for a non-championship ride (137) and also for the world record as Omair and Charlandre El Sharif shaved off over 13 minutes from the existing record.

The 22-year-old rider from Abu Dhabi's Al Reef Stables looked supremely confident as he finished first in five of the six loops in yesterday's 160-km event, which had attracted some of the world's most prominent riders.

Omair and Charlandre El Sharif revelled under ideal conditions to complete the 160-km ride in 6 hours 28 minutes and 28 seconds - an effort which was impossible a few years back.

It certainly was an amazing display by a promising rider on a champion horse from the all-conquering Al Reef Stables. In 2005, this venue witnessed a new record for a 160-km event when Barbara Lissarrague and Georgat did 7 hrs 04 mins 14 secs. The 7-hour barrier was broken by Shaikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Nahyan on ZT Faraventure (6:41:33) in the His Highness The President's Cup ride in February last year.

On target

Omair, who created a world record for the 100-km distance with the same Charlandre El Sharif last year, said he went for the record. His uncle and trainer Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi, who was also a favourite in yesterday's ride, had predicted a record when speaking to Gulf News on the eve of the ride, and his nephew delivered on that promise. "Right from the word go we wanted to go for the record. The weather was ideal and my horse is a great champion," said Omair, who registered his third win with Charlandre and eight of his career.

Omair received a standing ovation as he cantered home holding the UAE flag and his effort earned him the fabulous trophy, a Nissan 4x4 vehicle, Dh250,000 and a prestigious watch from sponsors Omega.

Al Wathba Stables' Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri on Leblond finished second to carry home Dh200,000 and a Nissan 4x4 vehicle, while Mohammad Rashid Saeed Al Subosi on Genio II finished third and also drove away with a Nissan 4x4 vehicle and Dh150,000.

Results

Top five: 1. Omair Hussain Al Beloushi (Charlandre El Sharif) 6hrs 28 mins 28 secs - New world record for a 160-km ride. Old record: Shaikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Nahyan on ZT Faraventure (6:41:33)

2. Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri (Leblond) 6:51.44;

3. Mohammad Rashid Saeed Al Subosi (Genio II) 7:15.04;

4. Thani Mohammad Al Muhairi (Macquarie Park Sedition) 7:18.31;

5. Shaikh Juma Dalmook Juma Al Maktoum (Kheops de Lozelle) 7:33.49.

[More ...]

Al Bloushi wins HHSM Endurance Cup in 6:28:28 Run

Omain Hussain Al Bloushi
Riding Chalandre El Sharif
Image by Cidinha Franzão

Omair Hussain Al Bloushi, on Charlandre El Sharif, clipped over 13 minutes from the existing world record to win the AED 1.5 million 160-km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup at the Dubai International Endurance City on Saturday.

The 22-year-old Al Reef Stables rider and his 11-year-old chestnut gelding dominated most of the six-loop ride and coped best with the wet and chilly weather to finish the 160-km distance in a time of 6 hours 28 minutes 28 seconds.

The previous record for a 160-km event was held by Sheikh Khaled Bin Sultan Al Nahyan on ZT Faraventure (6:41:33) which was created at the HH The President’s Cup ride in February last year.

"I was determined to go for the record as the conditions were perfect. My horse is a champion and this is the second record we have together. Last year we created a new record for a 100-km ride," said Al Bloushi, who finished with the UAE flag flying high in his hands.

The Al Reef youngster has so far won eight rides and dedicated his success to Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the driving force behind the Al Reef Stables.

Al Wathba Stables rider Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri on Leblond finished second in a timing of 6hrs 51 mins 44 seconds.

The pace set by the UAE riders was too hot to handle. European Open champion Jean Phillipe Frances, whose horse was eliminated for lameness in the second loop, said: "It is amazing, the speed set by the winner. The UAE riders are virtually unbeatable at home."

Earlier at 6.00 am in the morning, with overnight rain still falling, 137 riders got off to a mass start in the inaugural HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, organized by the Dubai Equestrian Club.

It was a record field for a non-championship ride and truly complemented the Omega-sponsored event which carried the biggest ever purse of AED1.5 million, four 4x4 vehicles and a prestigious watch from Omega.

"It has been a great day of racing. The field was not only one of the biggest but the best horses and riders took part and it was not a surprise that a world record was created," said Ali Moosa Al Khamiri, General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club.

Complete Results at Endurance.Net and EnduranceEurope.net

Al Maktoum Cup: 24.47 km/hr Pace for 120km

Riders are maintaining a fast 24.47km/hr race through the first 120km of this 160km event. 23 riders have entered Gate 4, with only 40km to go in the CEI*** event. 48 are eliminated!

Complete Coverage at Endurance.Net and EnduranceEurope.net

UAE: 108 Listed as Starters for 160km Race

108 Riders are listed as starters for the 2008 Shk Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Endurance Cup at the Dubia International Endurance City.

Weather is cool (58df/18c) moist (it is raining) and windy at the start.

Complete Coverage on endurance.net and EnduranceEurope.net

Dubai: HRH Tuanku Mizan of Malaysia to ride in UAE

His Majesty Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the King of Malaysia, and Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum are part of the nearly 130-odd riders who are expected to start in the His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup 2008 on Saturday.

King Tuanku and Shaikh Mayed will be joined by 26 international riders and more than 100 riders from the UAE, including many international riders based here in the UAE.

With a whopping Dh1.5 million and four 4x4 vehicles on offer, Saturday's ride will go down as the richest-ever endurance ride.

Organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC), the FEI CEI 3-star 160-km ride is sponsored by Omega and will be held at the Dubai International Endurance City.

Shaikh Mayed, who recently emerged a double gold medallist, winning the individual as well as team gold in the Pan Arab Games, is also an Asian team gold medallist and heads a strong line-up of UAE riders.

Prominent among them are World junior silver medallist Shaikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Asian Games bronze medallist Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Mubarak Khalifa Bin Shafya, Salem Rashid Bin Ghadeyer, Hassan Bin Ali, Ali Al Muhairi, Ali Khalfan Al Muhairi and last season's top UAE rider Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi.

Some more big names are expected to line up ahead of Friday's pre-ride veterinary check, to be held at the venue in Seih Assalam.

Saturday's ride will be run in 6 loops of 32km, 32km, 28km, 28km, 21km and 19km. The top 25 riders will get a slice of the prize money. Three Best Conditioned Horse awards are also on offer.

John Robertson, the technical delegate for the ride, said the riders and horses were put through strict quarantine controls.

"Everyone has been obeying the rules and since most of them have been here before, it is no problem," said the Briton, who has been based at the Quarantine Stables in the Dubai International Endurance City.

"Security of the horses and ensuring that there is no contamination are our prime concerns," he said in a DEC press release.

"We have demarcated separate areas for their training and since all these horses are from Europe, we just have one large stable here," Robertson said.

Among the international riders, the French have entered a strong 12-member squad, which includes European Open champion Jean Philippe Frances, Barbara Lissarrague, the winner of the 2005 World Championship held in Dubai, and a few riders who have been on the gold medal-winning teams from France at the World and European Championships.

Top Australian rider Meg Wade, German ace Melanie Arnold, top Italians Fausto Fiorucci, Gianluca Laliscia and UAE-based Spanish rider Jaume Punti Dachs will be part of the international line-up here on Saturday.

Complete Coverage on Endurance.Net