Abu Dhabi: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, led the UAE to a team gold in the 160km endurance event at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, US, on Monday morning.
Shaikh Mohammad, who is returning to the world competition after skipping a few editions, is a former European Open champion while he has led the UAE to many international team victories both at the European Open championship as well as other regional events.
In pictures: UAE triumphs at World Equestrian Games
Shaikh Mohammad, riding Ciel Oriental, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, on Sas Alexis, Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, on Kangoo d’Aurabelle and Shaikh Rashid Bin Dalmook on Rukban Dikrubu dominated right from the word go to win the team gold medal, the UAE’s first-ever team triumph in the world championship.
The UAE also took the silver and bronze medal as Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Hamdan finished behind the Dubai-based Maria Alvarez Ponton on Nobby as the reigning world and European champion added another medal for Spain.
A total of 30 countries were in the hunt for medal honours in the endurance event which is one of the eight different disciplines of the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
The 160km ride was run in six stages of 32.5kms, 39.9 kms, 21.3 kms, 27.2kms, 21.1kms and 18kms.
Khalifa congratulates Mohammad
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday congratulated His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on the UAE team’s gold medal victory, under Shaikh Mohammad’s leadership, in the world endurance race in Kentucky.
“This victory represents another honourable qualitative addition to the UAE’s achievements in the field of international sports,” said Shaikh Khalifa.
Shaikh Mohammad thanked Shaikh Khalifa, and said that he considers this victory an accomplishment for the UAE under the leadership of Shaikh Khalifa.
-WAM
