Breaking records all the way

By Alaric Gomes, Staff Reporter
Gulfnews.com

Dubai: A host of VIPs and royals participated in the FEI World Endurance Championship. General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, led the way for the UAE with his three sons: Shaikh Hamdan, Shaikh Rashid and Shaikh Majid.

Others taking part were Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain of Jordan, Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and his brother Shaikh Khalid from Bahrain, Sultan Mizan Zailnal of Malaysia and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani from Qatar.
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France and New Zealand suffer early exit

By Alaric Gomes, Staff Reporter
Gulfnews.com

France and New Zealand could not hide their disappointment after being channelled out of the competition yesterday.
"It was disappointing to be out of the team title competition early during the ride," New Zealand team member, Mark Tylee told the Gulf News after his mount Jamahl went lame.



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Shaikh Hazza's golden decision

By M. Satyanarayan, Staff Reporter
Gulfnews.com
Dubai: Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan can be pleased with his late decision to switch horses, as it brought him a record-breaking performance.

He was supposed to ride the leading Purebred Arabian endurance horse Shahdon, formerly ridden by two-time world champion Valerie Kanavy.

Instead, he opted for Hachim, the horse he rode to victory in Bahrain. Sure enough, the 11-year-old bay gelding from the Wrsan Stables unleashed tremendous fighting spirit.

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WEC: Teamwork and spirit are keys for Italy

By Alaric Gomes, Staff Reporter
gulfnews.com

Dubai: Talk about surprises in sports and think of Italy... at least in endurance riding.
With a strong line-up of teams like hosts UAE and the US along with former champions France and New Zealand, practically no one had the Italians booked as likely winners of the team gold at the end of a hard day in the desert.



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WEC: Hazza on top of the world

Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Hachim registered the fastest time ever in a 160-km ride to become the World Endurance Champion at the Dubai International Endurance City yesterday. Italy emerged as the winners in the team championship.

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Shaikh Hazza lifts endurance crown

Shaikh Hazza lifts endurance crown
Gulf Daily News

DUBAI: Shaikh Hazza bin Sultan Al Nahyan yesterday clinched the individual gold medal while Bahrain finished fifth in the team competition in the 160-km FEI Endurance World Championship at the Dubai Endurance City. Riding the 10-year-old Bay Gelding Hachim and averaging 22.68 kmh, Shaikh Hazza pulled back a deficit of one minute and 35 seconds to clinch the sixth and final stage and complete the 160-km marathon ride in seven hours, three minutes and 22 seconds.

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EnduranceNet Coverage

Hazza is new world champion

Hazza is new world champion
By Amith Passela
Khaleej Times
28 January 2005

Photo by Gilly Wheeler

DUBAI ? Shaikh Hazza bin Sultan Al Nahyan won the world endurance championship crown for the UAE after a little-known French rider turned the world?s premier race into a Grand National steeple chase finish-like atmosphere here at the Dubai International Endurance City yesterday. Barbara Lissarague, 38, turned the heat on in the final 19 kilometres of the race to claim silver and prevent the Emirates from a medal sweep in the 10th FEI Endurance World Championship.

General Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, took the bronze on Nashmi and Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan finished fourth astride Mindari Aenzac.



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EnduranceNet Coverage