Abu Dhabi: Hassan clinches Book Fair-Sorouh Cup - Jan 19 2007

Gulfnews.com - Full story

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: January 19, 2008

Abu Dhabi: Hassan Bin Ali, on Blackheath Kira, finished ahead of Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on Omani Iman, to win the 120-km Abu Dhabi International Book Fair-Sorouh Cup endurance championship held at the Emirates International Endurance Village here on Saturday.

In a ride which saw a fast pace being set early by the two Beloushis, Omair and Yousuf, Hassan and Shaikh Mayed did well to finish just three minutes of each other in the five-loop 120-km event sponsored by Sorouh and Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

Both Hassan and Shaikh Mayed were on the same horses in the National Day Cup ride, held at this very venue. Shaikh Mayed was third and Hassan Bin Ali was fifth in that ride held on December 15. While Omair Hussain Abdullah Al Beloushi retired his horse after the first stage, Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi's Estaban failed the vet check in the second stage.

Convincing winner

That left Hassan as the leader and he finished first in each of the four remaining loops to emerge a convincing winner. They recorded an average speed of just under 26km/h to complete the 120-km ride in 4 hours 37 minutes and 04 seconds. It was Hassan's second win this season. "It was a fast race and a tough one. The climate was good so it was helpful," said the winner.

Shaikh Mayed, who was seventh after the first stage, gradually moved up. Omani Iman has been a good partner for the Asian Games gold medallist as he won the Pan Arab Games individual gold in Cairo on the same horse.

Spanish star Jaume Punti Dachs, better known as Juma in the UAE, came in third. The silver medallist at last year's European Open Championship, Juma and his horse Don Sala finished third.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended yesterday's ride.

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Abu Dhabi: Fine Show - Jan 18 2008

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Abu Dhabi: Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi, on Jen A Dale Zamarah, came up with a consistent performance to win the Hydra Properties-sponsored 100km first round of the Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Challenge ladies' endurance event at the Al Asayel Endurance Village here on Friday.

Afra, riding the 13-year-old chestnut Jen A Dale Zamarah from Al Reef Stables, recorded a steady average speed of just over 25 kmph throughout the 4-loop ride to top the 31-strong field with a timing of 3 hrs 64 mins 36 secs.

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Abu Dhabi: Impressive field for Book Fair-Sorouh Cup - Feb 17 2008

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By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi: More than 100 riders are expected to take part in the 120-km Abu Dhabi International Book Fair-Sorouh Cup endurance event to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC) here yesterday, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, director general of ADEC said a total purse of Dh400,000 was on offer for Saturday's ride.

"The ride will be run in five stages of 32kms, 30kms, 24kms, 18kms and 16 kms," he said.

Juma'a Al Qubaisi, director of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair said...

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Abu Dhabi: Ladies endurance ride receives tremendous boost - Jan 16 2008

Gulfnews.com

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: January 16, 2008, 00:43

Abu Dhabi: The First Round of the Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Challenge endurance competition has attracted over 35 entries and with Hydra Properties lending its support this event for lady riders has received a tremendous boost.

Shaikha Hessa Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Shaikha Madiya Hasher Mana Al Maktoum, Shaikha Maryam Bint Omer Al Qasimi and Shaikha Asma Taleb Al Qasimi along with riders from the UAE, France, Germany, Uruguay, US, Australia, Great Britain and Canada are among the 35-plus who have entered so far.

"We have brought in many changes and the 100-km CEI two-star FEI ride will be held at the Al Asayel Endurance Village (AAEV) in Sweihan, which has been spruced up for the three-round competition," said Salem Al Ketbi, President of the AAEV Organising Committee.

A new logo and enhanced prize money and a car for the overall winner of the three-round Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Challenge was also announced at the press conference.

"The winner of Friday's round will get Dh30,000, the second-placed rider Dh25,000 and Dh15,000 for the third place. The owner of the Best Conditioned horse will get Dh10,000," said Lara Sawaya, Managing Director of Tasweeq.

Great pride

"This is of particular importance and we take great pride in being part of this endeavour," said Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, CEO of Hydra Properties in a message.

"Under the guidance of Dr. Shaikh Sultan, the Al Asayel Endurance Centre has evolved into another of the UAE's major venue with a focus on women riders.

"Sport is an integral part of all projects unveiled by Hydra Properties and we take it as our responsibility to support and help in the progress of UAE sportspersons to reach international levels," he said.

Friday's 100-km ride will get off to a mass start at 6.30am and the ride will be run in four loops of 30, 30, 24 and 16kms.

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Abu Dhabi: Emirati girls can do well, says Hessa - Jan 16 2008

Gulfnews.com

By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi: Shaikha Hessa Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan said Emirati girls were now getting the opportunity to take part in competitive riding and very soon they will gain success at the highest level.

Speaking to Gulf News at the Al Asayel Endurance Village in Sweihan yesterday, Shaikha Hessa said: "Emirati girls had not quite had the chance to compete, but now they were coming out. Over the last few years we have had some good competitions here," she said.

"Ladies rides have been catching up and are more competitive now as was seen in last year's Al Asayel Challenge. Very soon Emirati girls will be able to compete against the boys and hopefully make it to the UAE team," she added.

Immense support

Shaikha Hessa, who will be riding Sabee in Friday's 100km Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Challenge Round 1, said she has been supported a lot by her father. "But for him all this would not have been possible. My elder sister Shaikha Alyazia, who won last year's Three-round Challenge, also helps me," said Shaikha Hessa, who is in her final year at Zayed University.

"I am doing my internship in my subjects (International Studies and English Literature) and of late have had more time to train here," she said.

"Arabian horses are very good-looking, tough and they try hard. It is nice to work with them," Shaikha Hessa said.

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Bahrain: Endurance race for Arab women set - Jan 15 2008

Gulf-daily-news.com

THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) plans to organise the first Arab Endurance Championship for Women later this year, Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa revealed yesterday.

The race is expected to attract a good number of female jockeys from various Arab nations.

Shaikh Nasser has directed officials to kick-start preparations for the championship. He added that Breef will soon announce the date of the endurance event, along with its stages and other details.

Breef last week organised the National Guard Open Endurance Horseride Championship, which included a women's race over 100km.

The event witnessed strong participation from female jockeys with promising talents. Bahrain's Manal Fakhrawi of the Royal Endurance Team clinched the win, followed by Saudi Arabia's Latifa Al Shaikh in second and Qatari Khadeeja Al Bastaki in third place.

Malaysia: Success in the Desert!

As we followed the riders around on the final loop I was struck, once again, by the honesty of Endurance as a sport. His Majesty - Tuanku Zainal Abidin - King of Malaysia, was riding a horse provided by HH. Sh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - a very good horse. He had been crewed and supported all day by Jaume (Juma) Punti's barn - probably the best crewing possible. He was given ultimate opportunity for rest and food at each hold. There were a dozen cars following His Majesty and Halim- Dubai police, staff, security, even his family was following along during this final 19km.

But still, even with the best that money and position can provide, it ultimately comes down to effort and determination and physical endurance. And this was an honest effort - no short cut - no special favors - man and horse - 100 miles of endurance. His Majesty was tired. As head of state his government duties are demanding, and time for riding and physical training is precious and limited, and as a rider in his late 40's he was older than most of the other riders out on the course. And he was in pain. Riding in UAE is different from any other type of riding. It is fast and physically demanding, and if one is not accustomed to hours of cantering it can be exhausting. Riding the gallop uses a different set of muscles to maintain the back and forth rhythm, a very different motion for every muscle group. And without sufficient core strength, it becomes difficult to maintain the balance and keep the column straight and still while the waist and hips do the work.

But his jaw was set, and his arm was clamped to his side, and only his endurance - determination - could finish this ride. Nobody could do it for him, nobody could make it any easier for him. The horse looked fantastic - Ibrahim Pascha Larzac deserves the 'horse saint' medal of the year. He was eager all day but smooth and steady, only doing what he was asked or allowed to do, never pulling, always changing leads, always 'happy'.

The tension was palpable - all those cars, idling along in sight of the riders, spread out along beside and behind, filled with all those people, all eyes glued on His Majesty and Halim. The pressure to finish, to represent his country well and honorably must be daunting. And if all the mental pushing and wishing could have been turned into physical power during that last loop, I think he would have been air born ...

They alternated walking, trotting and cantering. The crew walked along beside His Majesty and Halim between crew points when the pace allowed. They didn't crew, didn't assist, just walked beside them. Juma walked beside him also. A word or smile every so often, he was there for moral support. And Halim, young and fit and eager and always smiling - every step was a step for his King.

The loop was a big circle around the venue, and most of the time we could see the Endurance City lights off in the distance. As the horses turned the last corner, heading down the 5km track that leads into the venue, they asked to canter - and so they did. No vehicles are allowed on this final stretch, so we fanned out along the access roads. From our vantage point (Mark Dial was driving, Shri Kanth (DVM) with us) I could see the riders framed against the white railing, lights along the track illuminated the horses legs as they did a steady gallop into camp. The vehicle lights were fanned out - it was a little foggy with the cooling air and moisture from the rain. Very moving - an image and feeling I won't ever forget. And sometimes the immensity of the moment overwhelms me. Just a 'regular person' with the honor and opportunity - the cosmic circumstance - to be here in a foreign country - an Arab state - witnessing a phenomenal display of character, and endurance, on the part of a Malay King - a man who could have chosen an easier path, an easier sport, but didn't.

Mark dropped Shri Kanth and I off at the finish line so we could meet the riders and he drove around to the in gate to help with arrival and crewing. We could see/hear/feel the riders coming in. A third horse had joined His Majesty and Halim, a grey horse ridden by Jairo Rodriguez Berenguer of Spain, they came across the line together. There was hushed cheering, I think the 19km's of emotion and tension still had a grip on everybody... the riders took their horses through the ingate and the crews went to work. His Majesty watched the horses disappear into a flurry of blue tshirts and buckets and was reluctantly herded to the chalet by his staff. There were quite a few people left at the vetting area - the vets and officials and FEI folks... Halvard Somerseth (one of the vets) who always makes me laugh came up with a big grin on his face, and some silly comment about 'The King and You' . A good laugh... cosmic circumstance.

The horses passed the final check brilliantly - bouncy trot and Ibrahim 'the great' still looked happy. What a horse. The horse that Halim was riding , Ismael, a rangy tough horse, pulsed at 47 within a couple minutes. I never saw him over 49 at any of the vetgate presentations. He was not as easy to ride as Ibrahim - a lot more work for Halim - but tough and fit and I think an 11 hour 100 was a walk in the park for him.

Tuanku Mizan is planning to come back for the Presidents Cup. If he finishes this ride in CoC time he will be qualified to represent Malaysia in the WEC. It will be in 6 weeks - Juma said it would be no problem for the horses - and I don't doubt him after watching them all day. I suspect that for Tuanku Mizan, after the pain and fatigue wear off, the elation and sense of accomplishment will settle in. (this is what makes all of us endurance junkies). I suspect he will spend the next 6 weeks doing his King job on the surface, but perhaps his dreams will be out there in the desert...

Steph


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