UAE: Mohammad to lead strong line-up

By M Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: February 26, 2009, 23:06

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, will be part of a strong line-up of riders for tomorrow's (Saturday's) Endurance Giants Challenge.

Tomorrow's event is the third and final leg of the three-round challenge, the first of which was held in Abu Dhabi, the second in Bahrain.

Shaikh Mohammad, who won the second leg in Bahrain, earned 100 points for that win and is joint leader with Shaikh Mansour after the first two rounds.

Shaikh Mohammad had finished fifth in the first round for which he earned 50 points and now has a cumulative total of 150 points, the same as Shaikh Mansour.

Shaikh Mansour, who was second (80 points) in the first round, secured another 60 for his fourth place finish in Bahrain and also earned 10 bonus points for riding the same horse in the first two rounds.

Bahrain's Shaikh Nasser, who has tallied 140 points (60+80) is third. Abdullah Bin Huzaim of the UAE had won the opening round.

Tomorrow's ride will be held at the Dubai International Endurance City, which will also see a Ladies Ride being worked off today. The 90-km ride has attracted a sizable number of entries and the winner will receive a car while there is also cash prize on offer for those who finish at the top.

The Endurance Giants Challenge ride gets off to a mass start at 6.00 am tomorrow and all participating riders must weigh at least 75kgs without riding equipment. The points accumulated over the three rounds will decide the overall champion.

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Qatar: Qtel sponsors endurance event

Gulf Times
Wednesday25/2/2009February, 2009

photo: Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani, executive director, Group Human Resources, Qtel (left) and Sheikh Hamad bin Ali al-Thani, president of the Qatar Endurance Committee seailing the agreement yesterday

Qtel yesterday announced that it will be the ‘Gold Sponsor’ of the Qatar International Endurance Cup, organised by the Qatar Endurance Committee for Horse Racing.
The Qatar International Endurance Cup is set to take place at the International Endurance Village in Sealine, Mesaieed on Saturday, and the six-hour race is set to attract racing enthusiasts from across the region.
As one of the toughest challenges in Qatar racing, the Endurance Cup is set to feature a number of leading endurance riders.
The partnership was announced at a special ceremony held at Qtel Headquarters in Doha, attended by representatives of the Qatar International Endurance Cup and Qtel.
In its role as Gold Sponsor, Qtel will provide material and technological support for the event, including a range of communication facilities on-site that will enable organisers and visitors to keep in touch with the race’s progress.
Sheikh Hamad bin Ali al-Thani, president of the Qatar Endurance Committee, said: “We are delighted that Qtel has agreed to become the Gold Sponsor for this year’s edition of the Qatar International Endurance Cup. The Cup has a very important place in the year’s racing calendar, and we are only able to provide such an exciting spectacle with the support of our local sponsors.”
Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani, executive director, Group Human Resources, Qtel, said: “One of the major goals of our sponsorship programme is to ensure that we are providing support for every event that has an emotional importance for our customers. Horse racing – and endurance racing in particular – has a long-standing appeal for many Qatar nationals, and we are delighted to be associated with an event of this caliber.”
Qtel is a long-term supporter of sport in Qatar and the region. It was a major sponsor of the Gulf Cup 2009, the Sony Ericsson Championships Doha, and the Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship.
At a local level, the company is the Official Sponsor of the Al Murqab Sailing Team, the first private sailing team in Qatar. It also supports a range of local teams and keep fit activity.
“Our sponsorship program blends seamlessly with our corporate social responsibility program, which looks to support the lives and interests of the people of Qatar. By supporting sport at all levels, we are not only ensuring that people can be entertained by sporting spectacles like the Qatar International Endurance Cup, we are also encouraging them to lead fit and active lives through sport, which can contribute to the health of the nation,” concluded Sheikh Saud.
Other sponsors for this year’s Endurance Cup include Qatar Airways, UDC, Qatar Petroleum, and Doha Bank.

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.