Abu Dhabi: Busy weekend for equestrian sport

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

By M. Satya Narayan
January 21, 2009

Abu Dhabi: The Emirates International Endurance Village (EIEV) in Al Wathba will stage two endurance rides on Saturday, and in the process, making it three rides in two days over the weekend.

After announcing Friday's Ladies ride on Tuesday, Adnan Sultan, the Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club said the 120km Al Wathba Cup and the 100km Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for Privately-owned horses would be held at the EIEV on Saturday.

"The breeding stables of Shaikh Mansour based in Normandy, France along with Sorouh Real Estate PJSC and China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation (CPECC) are sponsoring the two rides," he said.

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UAE: SOROUH CONTINUES ITS SUPPORT OF EQUESTRIAN SPORT

EyeOfDubai.com

HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup and the Al Wathba Cup to take place on 24 January at the Emirates International Endurance Village


Sorouh Real Estate PJSC, one of Abu Dhabi’s leading real estate developers, today announced its sponsorship of the 100km HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for privately owned horses and the 120km Al Wathba Cup. These two exciting races are to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday 24 January.

The 120-km Al Wathba Cup is an important event which Sorouh is delighted to be part of alongside the Breeding Stables of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Normandy, France.

The His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for privately-owned horses is a prestigious endurance event aiming to encourage the participation of private stable owners, a goal which, as a strong supporter of equestrian sport in the region, is shared by Sorouh. The event gives the best riders from privately owned stables in the UAE an opportunity to compete with one another, encouraging them to further develop their skills at world class competition level.

In a statement released by Sorouh, the company stated:
“Sorouh would like thank His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, for giving Sorouh an opportunity to support these important events in the Abu Dhabi equestrian calendar.“

Sorouh has been a strong supporter of equestrian sport since the company was established in 2005. This announcement follows Sorouh’s sponsorship of the UAE’s First Ladies Endurance Cup will be held at the Emirates Endurance Village on 23 January 2009 and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Show Jumping Championship held at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club from 15 - 17 January 2009.

Sorouh’s support of UAE horse racing is part of an extensive social, cultural and educational sponsorship programme, which recognizes the company’s responsibility not only to its employees, customers and tenants, but to the residents of the entire United Arab Emirates.

Abu Dhabi: First-ever ladies-only equestrian endurance ride becomes a reality

Gulfnews.com - Full article

By M. Satya Narayan
January 20, 2009

Abu Dhabi: The Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba will be breaking new ground when they stage their first-ever ladies only ride on Friday.

"Friday's Shaikha Fatima Bint Mansoor Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup will be the first ever ride only for ladies and the event is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Presidential Affairs," said Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, the Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian club during a press conference here yesterday.

"A total amount of Dh500,000 including two four-wheel-drive cars for the riders taking the first two places, will be up for grabs.

"All riders who finish will the 90km ride will be given cash awards," Al Nuaimi said.

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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.