UAE: Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri Wins Endurance Race

Khaleej Times
DUBAI - Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri rode Waseem Montasan to victory in the Shaikh Maktoum bin Hamdan Al Maktoum– FEI CEI 119km when 90 riders lined up for honours at Seih Assalam Endurance City on Saturday. Al Jahouri dominated the title for the second straight time for Al Wathab Stables. “It’s something great to win,” said Al Jahouri later. “My horse was picking up very nicely and was always surprising me,” he added.

“I have been preparing this horse for the President’s Cup but we did not send him for the race. He’s a new horse and thank God he did very well on debut. He’s still young and we expect a lot from him,” he added.

The winner covered the distance in four hours, 47 minutes and 37 seconds at an average speed of 24.82 km/hour in the final loop, approximately eight minutes clear of runner-up Abdullah Thani bin Huzaim astride Skyros de Peyrols. The winner has been always going well. He was perfectly poised in third place not far away from the early speed when the riders hit in the heart of the desert under the early rays of the sun. And began to make ground as the race progressed to settle in the heels of front runners by the end of loop three, before he hit the front and held on very strongly.

Indian rider Hestmat Ali, astride Deyar, showed the way in the early stages of the gruelling race as Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri – put his chestnut gelding on the heels of the early speed in third position. In the second loop, the winner dropped back to fourth but he was not far away. Then he fought back to lead by the end of loop four and crossed the finish line to emerge winner. All arrangements have been made at the state-of-the-art endurance facility to host the Giants Challenge to be held on Saturday.

Results: 1- Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri - UAE - riding Waseem Montasan; 2- Abdullah Thani bin Huzaim - UAE - riding Skyros de Peyrols; 3- Salem Rashed bin Ghadayer - UAE – riding Deen; 4- Hassan bin Ali - UAE riding Blackheath Kira; 5- Ahmed Salem Al Sabousi - UAE – riding Louxor El Muskov.

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SA: Local rider ranked tops

South Africa: Hermanus Tims
19/02/2009

Naomi Muller, a local endurance rider from the farm Elandskloof between Hermanus and Caledon, ended the 2008 season at the top of the ERASA (Endure Ride Association of South Africa) rankings for long distance endurance riders.

Naomi was also ranked third overall for short and long distance riders.

During the 2008 season, Naomi represented South Africa on two occasions.

In May 2008 she represented South Africa at the Tri Nations Championships in Hofmeyer in the Eastern Cape. The South African team won the competition and Naomi finished in third place. The Tri Nations Championships is a regional competition between South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

In November she represented South Africa at the 2008 World endurance championship in Teregganu, Malaysia.

A total of 150 riders from 36 countries participated in the event. The South African team finished 16th and Naomi finished in 17th place.

In total, Naomi has represented South Africa on six occasions, at two World championships, at the 2007 All Africa Games in Algeria and at three Tri Nations championships.

Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long distance races. It is one of the international competitions recognized by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and takes place worldwide. The winning horse is the first one to cross the finish line while stopping periodically (every 30km) to pass a veterinary check that deems the animal in good health and “fit to continue”.

Most endurance rides are either 80 or 160 km long, although shorter rides are organised for beginners and a few longer, usually multi-day, rides exist. Winning riders complete 160km rides in 9 to12 hours, depending on the terrain and weather conditions.

full article

Guatemala's Maya Adventure Ride 09

Ingenio Magdalena Challenge 2nd Edition
Wednesday, 18 February 2009 Barbara Schieber



Guatemala - The countdown for this exiting event has begun!

This FEI, (Fédération Equestre Internationale), accredited event will start the 7th of March at 4:00 pm at the Ingenio Magdalena, courtesy of Mister Jorge Leal and family. Ingenio Magdalena has been a key supporter and promotor of this important sport in Guatemala. This is the second year that Ingenio Magdalena has provided their gigantic installations to host this prestigious international event. The Sugar Mill Magdalena is located in La Gomera Escuintla, Guatemala.

For Guatemala's Maya Adventure Ride 2009, Ingenio Magdalena Challenge 2nd Edition, competitors are expected form Central America and Mexico.

There will be a panel of international judges and Mesoamerica's only FEI 4 star judge Licenciada Scarlet de Rodas. FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale, the World authority on equestrian events).

The equestrian team organizing the event is "Jinetes de Aventura"- Adventure Riders. The President of the event is Fernando Paiz. The President of official FEI Judges delegation is Scarlet de Rodas.

This competition will be the qualifier event for different national and international endurance competitions this year and next year.

1. It will establish the national ranking for endurance Guatemala 2009.
2. Classification for the Central American Games 2009.
3. Classification for the World Endurance Competition in USA, 2010.

The FEI categories of endurance races of this event will be:

1. * 80 km
2. ** 120 kms
3. *** 160 kms
4. National category: 40 km


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UAE: Cousins end race in memorable finish

Gulf News
By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: February 14, 2009, 23:12

photo: Yousuf Ahmad Al Bloushi (right) and Omair Hussain Al Bloushi win first and second places respectively during the HH President of the UAE Endurance Cup 160km ride.
Cousins end race in memorable finish

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: February 14, 2009, 23:12

Abu Dhabi: The Al Beloushi cousins of Yousuf Ahmad and Omair Hussain Abdullah scored a memorable 1-2 finish in the prestigious 160-km President's Cup endurance ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village here on Friday.

Yousuf partnered 160-km world record holder Charlandre El Sharif and his younger cousin Omair was on another champion endurance horse Silversprings Kabir Arwa and the two rode past the finish line hand-in-hand to reassert the supremacy of Al Reef Endurance Stables, owned by Shaikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Yousuf received a golden sword, a 4WD car and Dh250,000 for his win while Omair received a silver sword, a 4WD car and Dh200,000 for his effort. Four 4WD cars and Dh1.5 million was on offer in this 10th President's Cup, which was supported by the Breeding Stables in Normandy, France owned by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Hydra Properties and Al Awani Enterprises.

Earlier in the morning 76 riders including 36 from all over the world started in the 160-km event which was run in six stages of 34kms, 32kms, 30kms, 24kms, 24kms and 16kms.

It was one of the strongest fields with last year's winner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum led the UAE challenge while reigning world champion Maria Alvarez Ponton headed the international line-up.

But it was Omair Hussain Al Beloushi on Silversprings Kabir Arwa, a winner of the 120-km ride here earlier in the season, who dominated the ride from the start in each of the five loops and perhaps it was a family obligation which saw him and Yousuf Ahmad cross the line together and the verdict going in favour of the elder cousin.

However, before the two were out on the final loop, it looked like a close contest as in between Omair and Yousuf (third), it was Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi with Nasser Al Marzouki in fourth place, just three minutes separating the top four.

However in the final 16-km loop, Yousuf Ahmad on Charlandre El Sharif, the horse that wrote the record books in a 160-km ride in Dubai, moved ahead and soon joined the leader Omair and after that it was Al Reef all the way.

Nasser Al Marzouki finished third on the great champion Kaysand Farazzah, two-time winner of the President's Cup (2008, 2006) and second in 2007! He also received the keys to a 4WD car and will also share in the Dh1.5 million prize money.

Ali Al Muhairi finished fourth on Sudan, the same horse with which he had won the National Day Cup and ensured the UAE's domination of this prestigious three-star ride.

Only Maria Alvarez Ponton, with a 8th place finish, figured in the top ten

Shaikh Hamdan made an exit with just the final 16kms left while two other President's Cup winners in the past, Shaikh Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Abdullah Khamis Ali Saeed also failed to complete the ride.

UAE: Yousef Ahmed Al Baloushi Wins President’s Cup Endurance Ride

Khaleej Times
Khaleej Times Online >> News >> SPORTS
15 February 2009

ABU DHABI — Champion trainer Yousef Ahmed Al Baloushi led a 1-2 in the prestigious 10th edition of the President’s Cup Endurance Ride at the Al Wathba International Endurance Village on Saturday. The Ride was run over the distance of 160 kms. The Ride had a total prize purse of Dh 1.5 million and four cars on offer.

Six stages were run which consisted of 34 kms, 32 kms, 30 kms, 24 kms, 24 kms and 16 kms. Yousef, who has trained nine winners in the season so far from the famed Al Reef Stables, finished ahead of cousin Omair Husain Al Baloushi, also from the Al Reef Stables. Yousef, astride Charlandre El Sharif, finished with a timing of six hours, 30 minutes and 53 seconds, just a second ahead of Omair. Omair, ridig Silversprings Kabir Arwa, had a time of six hours, 30 minutes and 54 seconds. Omair had led the Ride right through before Yousef made the charge in the closing stages.

Twenty riders were invited pack from around the world for the Ride which also included World Endurance champion Dubai-based Spaniard Maria Alvarez Ponton. The Ride was supported by the Breeding Stables in Normandy, France owned by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs. Winner in 2007 Shaikh Khalid bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his elder brother Shaikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan also took part.

Naser Al Marzouki, astride Kaysand Farrazah, from the Al Aasa Stables, was third with a timing of six hours, 33 minutes and 54 seconds. Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi, who had won the prestigious National Day Cup, astride Sudan, was looking to clinch a double but it was not to be. Ali, riding the same horse owned by Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance and Industry and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, was second in the fourth and fifth loop before he came in fourth with a time of six hours, 36 minutes and five seconds.

Results: 1 Yousef Ahmed Al Baloushi (Charlandre El Sharif) (Al Reef Stables) 6:30.53s; 2. Omair Husain Al Baloushi (Silversprings Kabir Arwa) (Al Reef Stables) 6:30.54s; 3. Naser Al Marzouki (Kaysand Farrazah) (Al Aassa Stables) 6:33.54s; 4. Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi (Sudan) (Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum) 6:36.05s; 5. Bader Ali Al Kayoumi (Silvina) (Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan) 6:51.08s.

Kuwait: Al Matraqa lifts endurance title

Gulf Daily News

KUWAIT'S Abdulla Al Matraqa, astride Petrol, raced to victory in the Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Open Endurance Horseride Championship held yesterday in Kuwait.

Riding for Al Matraqa Stable, the overall winner finished the 120-km race in six hours, 17 minutes and four seconds.

He was followed by Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team riders Shereen Fayez (6:38:25) on Outlaw, Mohammed Al Thawadi (6:39:53) and Abdulrahman Al Saad (6:40:00) in second, third and fourth places respectively.

More than 100 riders from Kuwait, Bahrain and other GCC countries competed in the championship which took place at Kabad desert located in the southwest of Kuwait as part of Kuwait's National Day celebrations.

The race, with a total prize money of $50,000, was divided into five stages -the first two stages of 30 kms, 25 kms for the third, 20 kms for the fourth and 15 kms for the fifth.

The prize included $10,000 for the overall champion, $9,000 for second place and $8,000 for third.

Twelve Bahrainis took part in the event led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president and captain of Bahrain's Royal Endurance Team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Nasser, however, was unable to complete the race as he was eliminated in the fourth stage. Breef first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa was also out of the race, falling out in the third stage.

The remaining seven Bahrainis were Yousif Taher, Jaffer Mirza, Ahmed Abdulla, Abdulhaq Qadori, Ahmed Abdulsamad, Raed Mahmood and Fahad Ismail.

The Kuwaitis took the top three positions in the first two stages. In the third stage, Shaikh Nasser moved up to second place behind Kuwait's Turki Al Ouni who came first and ahead of third Al Matraqa.

Lead

But Al Matraqa put up a good show in the fourth stage and moved to the top. He was followed by Al Saad in second place and Fayez third.

Al Matraqa maintained his lead in the fifth and final stage to secure a well-earned victory.

There was also an 80-km qualifier, a warm-up race for inexperienced riders.

It was won by Abdulaziz Al Anazi of Kuwait's Nawad Abu Shaiba Stable who finished ahead of two other Kuwaiti riders Thamer Ahmed of Thamer Ahmed Stable and Mamdooh Stable rider Mamdooh Muneef who were second and respectively.

The races were witnessed by Bahrain's Southern Governor Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa while Breef general secretary Ghalib Al Alawi presented the trophies to the winners at a prize-giving ceremony.

Shaikh Nasser said he enjoyed the race and had fond memories of the same race in 2004 when they claimed top positions.

Shaikh Nasser added that this race was a useful experience for his team who are gearing up for the third and final round of the Endurance Horseride Grand Prix scheduled for February 28 in Dubai.

After two rounds, Shaikh Nasser is holding third place overall with 140 points, just 10 behind UAE riders Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shaikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan who share the lead.

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UAE: Al Bloushi and Charlandre El Sharif take Win at Presidents Cup

The 2009 HH The President of UAE Endurance Cup concluded with a win by
Yousef Ahmed Al Bloushi riding Charlandre El Sharif, the new world record holder at this distance with a winning time of 6:30:53.

Also at the podium were Omair Husain Al Bloushi who finished 2nd riding Silversprings Kabir Arwa and Naser Al Marzouki finishing 3rd on Kaysand Farrazah. (Kaysand Farrazah was the winning horse in the 2008 Presidents Cup ridden by HH Sh Hamdan bin Mohamed Al Maktoum.)

Second place horse, Silversprings Kabir Arwa, won the coveted Best Condition Horse awards.