Dubai Saeed Hamoud Saeed Al Khayari described winning the CEI2* 120km Royal Windsor Endurance ride, the highlight of the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show on Friday, as ‘very special’.
Riding the seven-year-old chestnut gelding, Dahi, Al Khayari led home a 1,2,3,4 finish for UAE riders in the event, their best result since endurance races were added to the schedule five years ago.
“I had a really good ride today and it was a great result for UAE in the CEI2*,” he said. “ It’s a real honour to ride on this lovely course in Windsor Great Park and to win at Royal Windsor is very special.”
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, attended the ride where they met Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
The 120km ride, which was held over four legs, was contested by eight UAE riders. Al Khayari won in a time of 4 hours 47.48 minutes.
There were two other endurance classes at the event which was supported by the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Bahrain’s Ali Abdullah Mohammad Al Subaie took the top place in the CEI1* 80km event on Henham Romeo in 03:46:24 while Sarah Davenport won the national 40km class in a time of 02:18:56 on Blakeswater Wilfred.
An overall field of 101 horses (exactly double that of last year) from 12 nations rode through Windsor Great Park, taking in Ascot Racecourse and a number of famous landmarks.
Ground jury president, Ian Williams (GBR), said: “Today we’ve seen a true picture of endurance across all levels with the opportunity for international riders to compete at the highest level and for national riders to experience the thrill of these first class facilities. The wonderful cooperation of people across all levels of experience and ability and between nations is a great marker for the future of the sport.”
Endurance GB Chairman, John Hudson, said: “It was fabulous to have our national ride included in this now prestigious event and such a wonderful opportunity for our riders to ride in this setting. The feedback has been very positive and it’s a day that will live long in the memory.”
Royal Windsor Endurance Director, Nick Brooks-Ward said: “We had a really good ride here today. The rain overnight meant the going was perfect and welcoming the novice riders enhanced the already very special atmosphere. As ever we are hugely grateful to the Crown Estate for allowing us to ride through Windsor Great Park, to the Kingdom of Bahrain for their support and to the volunteers, officials and everyone who makes this event the success it is.”
Of the starting field of 103, 54 horses completed the rides (53%), with the remainder either retiring or failing to meet the stringent vetting criteria required to qualify for their next phase of the competition.
Results
CEI* 120km Royal Windsor Endurance Ride
1. SAEED HAMOUD SAEED AL KHAYARI (UAE) aboard DAHI. Time: 04:47:48
2. SAEED MOHAMMAD KHALIFA AL MUHAIRI (UAE) ZA’AMAH 04:47:49
3. ABDULLAH GANEM AL MARRI (UAE) TOM JONES 04:47:50
4. MANSOUR SAEED MOHAMMAD AL FARESI (UAE) OUED EL KEBIR LARZAC 04:47:51
5 JAAFAR MERZA ABDUL NABI HASSAN (BAHRAIN) TISMAEL DE VAYROLS 04:48:36
