Dubai: Seventeen-year-old Saif Ahmad Al Mazroui, who has already achieved a high degree of fame in his native UAE, upstaged a strong field of international riders to win the prestigious 120 km Royal Windsor Endurance Ride at Windsor Castle in the UK on Friday.
Al Mazroui, who made his debut in the sport just four years ago, has amassed several major triumphs culminating in yesterday’s clinical victory over Bahrain’s Mohammad Abdulsamad and Shaikh Dalmook Al Maktoum.
The talented youngster clocked 4 hours 41 minutes and 27 seconds for the CEI 2 Star ride which was first introduced to the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2013 and is held at the historic Windsor Great Park.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the event and met Queen Elizabeth II.
Shaikh Mohammad and Queen Elizabeth exchanged talks about the unique bilateral relations and the existing cooperation between the two countries.
WAM (the Emirates news agency) reported that Shaikh Mohammad stressed that the UAE were always keen to always participate in equestrian and racing eventsin the UK and the Royal Windsor Endurance Ride in particular for being one of unique equestrian event.
Shaikh Mohammad also praised the performances of the Emirati and Bahraini riders who dominted the well-attended event, which is one of the highlghts of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the UK’s most prestigious equestrian festival which also included dressage, show jumping and horse shows.
Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the National Olympic Committee, were present at the ride which was also attended by several UAE Shaikhs and senior officials
The Endurance ride, which was held over four laps, was contesed by over 50 top riders representing ten countries around the world.
Al Mazroui four a willing partner in Ramaah, a twelve-year-old gelding representing the MRM Stables.
Having finished the first loop in second place behid Abdulsamad, Al Mazroui took control of the ride in the second stage and never looked back thereafter.
He raised the tempo and employed a significantly high cruising speed aboard the chestnut Ramaah and came home a comfortable winner, with Abdulsamad finishing 21 seconds behind in the runner-up spot aboard Derrom Galiem.
Shaikh Rashid Bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum clocked 04:47.07 seconds to take third place ahead of Bahrain’s Abdulla Busafar Ali astride the nine-year-old Batal.
Emiriti riders occupied the fifth, sixth and seventh places through Shaikh Ahmad Dalmook Al Maktoum, Saeed Mohammad Khalifa Al Mehairi and Saeed Sultan Shames Al Maamri.
Results
1. Saif Ahmad Al Mazroui/ UAE (Horse: Ramaah) Winning Time: 04:41.27secs.
2. Mohammad Abdulsamad/ Bahrain/ (Derrom Galiem) 04:47.06secs.
3. Shaikh Dalmook Al Maktoum / UAE(Intisaar) 04:47.07secs.
4. Abdulla Busafar Ali/ Bahrain (Batal) 05:07.37secs.
5. Shaikh Ahmad Dalmook Al Maktoum/ UAE (Unique Du Colombier) 05:22.34secs.
