Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum hit top form to score his first win in the UAE's 2002-03 endurance season and serve notice of his intentions for the Endurance World Cup, scheduled for March 26.

Sheikh Rashid, the reigning European Open champion staved off a stiff challenge from Indian rider Younis Ali Khan and the in-form Shareef Mohammed Abdullah Al Baloushi to win the third and final round of the President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Challenge 130-km ride yesterday at the Dubai Endurance City.

The win also helped Sheikh Rashid clinch the overall champion's title at the end of three rounds with Shareef and Saif Al Ketbi finishing as joint second followed by Buti Saif Al Mazroui.

Riding Laa'oub (Southern Exposure), Sheikh Rashid finished the five-stage ride in 5 hours 35minutes 55 seconds with Younis Ali, on Whynameeh Jarrick, and Shareef, the recent President's Cup winner on Al Bashaar, finishing second and third just 10 seconds behind.

Sheikh Rashid, who ended last season with three successive victories, had only won the Cairo Masters Ride in Egypt after the current season started here and was unlucky to lose a few close rides. However, with General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum retiring their horses at the end of 93kms (third stage), Sheikh Rashid looked determined to win this time.

In the first round Sheikh Rashid had finished second to Shareef and the Al Wathba rider was posing a strong challenge along with Younis Ali in the final 16-km stage. In fact Sheikh Rashid, after a slow start had gathered pace to muster a six-minute lead going into the final round with Younis in pursuit.

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum riding his horse during the 130-km endurance ride. ©Gulf News
A further three minutes behind was Shareef, who has been in superb form this season. However, Younis, on Wynameeh Jarrick, and Shareef, on Al Bashaar, unleashed a tremendous pace of 29.77 kmph and 32.65 kmph and almost caught up with Sheikh Rashid on Laa'oub. But Sheikh Rashid crossed the finish line for his first win of the season.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Director General of the President's Office, who witnessed yesterday's ride, congratulated Sheikh Rashid and the other riders who finished at the top.

"It was tough and everyone was keen to win since it was the His Highness Sheikh Zayed ride. My father had planned out this ride for me and full credit goes to him. The speed was quite high and the climate was also hot. I am happy I won and am ready for the World Cup," said Sheikh Rashid.

The FEI-UAE World Cup Endurance Ride, which is also the final ride of the Masters Series, will be held here at the DEC on March 26 and most of the world's top riders are expected to participate. Some of them who have already arrived here took part in yesterday's event.

Younis Khan, who finished second said: "I tried my best but the gap of over six minutes was a little too much. Further Sheikh Rashid is a very tough rival to beat," said Younis, who is the only non-UAE rider to have won two rides and finished third once earlier and second yesterday. "I have to thank Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, the owner of Whynameeh Jarrick, for allowing me to ride him on all four occasions that I have done well," he said.

Earlier, Sheikh Mohammed, riding Genio 11, finished the third stage in sixth place, but retired his horse while Sheikh Hamdan did the same after he found his horse Al Sha'afar having some problems.

"I found my horse going down with every stage and hence I decided not to push him much. As advised by our father we are always looking to preserve the horse for future rides," said Sheikh Hamdan, the reigning world junior champion.

A top foreign rider in the fray, Italy's Fausto Fiorucci, rode one of Sheikh Mohammed's horses and was in the leader's pack till his horse got eliminated in the final loop.

"It has been a very tough ride. I am here for the World Cup Endurance and will be riding my horse Faris Jabbar," said the European champion and 1998 silver medallist at the World End-urance Championship held here.

Other top riders who did not complete the ride were world champion Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Ahmed bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Sheikh Abdullah Faisal Al Qasimi, Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi, Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri and Mubarak Khalifa bin Shafya.

A total of 27 riders from the 88 starters completed the ride, which was sponsored by Al Mansour Jewellers.

Results:

1. Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (Laa'oub) 5 hrs. 35mins. 55 secs;
2. Younis Ali Khan-India-(Whynameeh Jarrick) 5:36:04;
3. Shareef Mohammed Abdullah Al Baloushi (Al Bashaar) 5:36:05;
4. Khaled Abdur Rahim Al Hammadi (KHF Tersoro) 5:40:58;
5. Yousef Ahmed Al Baloushi (Parlour Mountain Alert) 5:46:12;
6. Saif Ali Al Ketbi (Garland's Girl) 5:59:49;
7. Dr. Jaber Bittar-Brazil-(Moonlight Jester) 6:16:49;
8. Alina Gonzalez Vidal-Argentina-(Principal) 6:18:06;
9. Abdul Kader Abdul Sattar (Don Michell) 6:19:45;
10. Buti Saif Al Mazroui (Kangala Zircon SLM) 6:19:46.

Best Conditioned Horse:

KHF Tersoro from Al Reef Stables ridden by Khaled Abdur Rahim Al Hammadi.

Overall winner (after three rounds) of the His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Challenge Series:

1. Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum;
2. Shareef Mohammed Abdullah Al Baloushi and Saif Ali Al Ketbi (equal points)
3. Buti Saif Al Mazroui.