Abu Dhabi: Al Jahouri wins Endurance Cup

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan
2009 January 17

Abu Dhabi: Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, riding nine-year-old gelding EO Jaras, won the prestigious 160-km His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup 160-km ride on Saturday at the Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Assalam.

The Al Wathba Stables' trainer-cum-rider, who finished second in this ride last year, unleashed a terrific pace on the final loop of 19km to win from Dalpat Singh Ganpat Singh and Indian work rider with another Abu Dhabi-based stable ­- Al Reef.

Al Jahouri, who was fifth going into the final loop, whipped up a 30.87kmph speed on the grey Purebred Arabian gelding, and that effort saw him win the Omega-sponsored event.

"This is the second outing for this horse after he was eliminated despite finishing first in a junior ride. But today he was just classy and I always knew he would run a big race," said Al Jahouri, who holds the world record for a 120-km ride.

"I started well and finished the first 32kms in 5th place but later paced the ride and dropped to 11th and 10th positions in the next two loops of 32kms and 29kms," he said.

"When I went out on the final loop some of the best riders were ahead of me including last year's winner Omair Hussein. I am greatly satisfied with this win," he said.

Al Jahouri completed the 160-km ride in a timing of six hours 39 minutes and 11 seconds at a ride average speed of 24.05 kmph.

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Poland: Polish endurance horses in Abu Dhabi

Polskiearaby.com

2009-01-09

As KJ Champion informs, two horses, Cyryl 1995 and Cert 1997, are leaving on February 1st for the United Arab Emirates, to take part in one of the major endurance competitions of the world – HH The Presidents Cup, called Emirates International Endurance Village, held at Abu Dhabi on February 14th. Cyryl is going to be ridden by Beata Dzikowska, whereas Cert will be mounted by the current Polish Senior Riders` Champion, Kamila Kart. It should be pointed out that only the best horses are invited by the organizers, who analyzed their former endurance career and results. The KJ Champion team feels honored by the invitation.

Last year the competition was won by the Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, riding the 12-year-old gelding Kaysand Farrazah, in a time of 6:52:29, capturing also the Best Condition title.

Dubai: Hamdan leads UAE challenge today

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By Alaric Gomes
January 16, 2009

Dubai: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, heads a strong UAE field at today's second running of the His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup to be held at the Dubai International Endurance City.

The FEI CEI*** 160km ride, to be held over six loops from 6am today, is being organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club with sponsorship from Omega for the second year.

The ride has attracted a strong field of riders from all over the world, with the UAE squad led by Shaikh Hamdan the favourite to win the title.

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Great Britain: Maggie Maguire awarded the BEF's Medal of Honour

Endurancegb.co.uk

6th January 2009

Well-deserved international acclaim for Endurance Great Britain's Maggie Maguire who has been awarded the BEFs Medal of Honour. The Medal of Honour is primarily an award designed to recognise activities connected with international endeavour. It is awarded for outstanding services to the Federation with any one or more of its constituent sporting members.

Maggie retired from the EGB Board of Directors at the AGM in November 2008.. She had been the chairman of the International Committee for some years, providing huge support to our international teams.

Dubai: Hamdan-led team holds advantage

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By Alaric Gomes
January 15, 2009

Dubai: Defending champion Omair Hussain Al Baloushi and last year's runner-up Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri believe a strong presence of UAE riders led by Dubai Crown Prince Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum holds a distinct advantage going into this weekend's His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup.

The CEI*** 160km ride to be held at the Dubai International Endurance City on Saturday, has attracted a field of some of the top endurance riders from across the globe.

And though the field includes the top three on the 2008 FEI World Rankings, Al Baloushi still believes the title will stay back in the UAE, given the home advatange.

"Every rider out there will be a threat," predicted defending champion Al Baloushi.

"There are a lot of good riders and superb horses in the ride, but the competition will be among the local riders," added last year's runner-up Al Jahouri, the trainer-cum-rider from Al Wathba Stables.

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Saudi Arabia: The Al Khalediah Festival Cup

On 27th January 2009, the FEI CEI *** 120 KM Prince Khaled‘s Cup Endurance Challenge 2009 will be a door opening event to the FEI World Class Endurance in the K.S.A.

In the challenge, riders will have to plot through various terrains, undulating slopes and sandy areas in the subtropical cool air in the morning and night. The Looping will be marked with flags prominently at strategic points to guide the riders for looping distance and direction. Along the trails, there will be designated water points providing drinking water and ice water for cooling at approximately every 5km. Throughout the course, riders will need to go through compulsory stops after each loop called Vet Gate, for cooling their horses, whilst ensuring the safety and welfare of their animal from the checks performed by a highly expert team of endurance veterinarians.

This is a joint adventure between the Al Khalediah Arabian Horse Festival and Intl. Endurance Equestrian Events. It will take place at Al Khalediah Farm, Tebrak, which is 90km from Riyadh on the road to Makkah (Holy place), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (K.S.A). With its excellent facilities and infrastructure, the venue is set to provide excellent facilities suited to overseas and local participants, officials and visitors.

Endurance sport is still fairly young in K.S.A. and as part of the state‘s efforts to promote sports tourism, the staging of The Prince Khaled‘s Cup Endurance Challenge 2009 will help boost this sport in the Kingdom.

More information at Alkhalediah Festival

Bahrain: Breef endurance race for women

Gulf-daily-news.com

15th January 2009

THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) is organising the first Women's Endurance Horseride Championship on January 31 at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Breef general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi said the race is a CEI 2 event, over 120km and is only open to women of all ages and nationalities.

Al Alawi said registration for this championship will be open from Sunday while the last day for accepting forms is January 29.

He added that the participants must be registered at the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) with their horses having an international passport.

Al Alawi said the passport is being issued by the FEI in order to allow each horse to participate in either any CEI or FEI-level events.

He thanked Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa for giving his directives to organise this event for the first time this season.