Abu Dhabi: The Uruguayan pair of Maria Cecilia Sebben on HC Potra Perka and Jonathan Riveria Iriarte on SM Conjeque came up with some fantastic pace in the final two loops to finish first and third in the HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup for Private Owners’ 100-km CEN Endurance Ride held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.
It was the UAE’s Saif Ahmad Al Mazroui on Al Qaher who led after the first two loops of 40km and 25km. At that stage, after 65km in the 100km race, Maria Cecilia Sebben on HC Potra Perka was 8th while Jonatan Rivera Iriarte on SM Conjeque was 11th. In the third stage of 19km, Sebben moved into the top position pushing the UAE rider to second while the ever-improving Iriarte was in fourth place. Seben kept ahead to win the 100-km ride in 3hrs 39mins and 20 seconds while Saif Al Mazroui stayed on to finish second. Iriarte on SM Conjeque made it a 1-3 for Uruguay.
“I can’t believe it,” said a jubilant Sebben. “I would like to thank the owner Ali Nasser Al Yabhouni and trainer Saeed Suhail Ali Al Yabhouni for trusting me. My horse was in very good shape and never let me down when I asked to improve in the concluding stages. He was always going well and the weather was very helpful,” she added.
Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival added, “It was extremely a successful event from all aspects. The children were excited and this was the purpose of the race. It was a beautiful family day-out. More than 107 stables took part in the race just like the successful race of HH Shaikha Fathima Bint Mansour ride on the previous day.”
