It was total domination by Al Reef Stables in the UAE's 2006-07 endurance season which saw a total of 51 rides being organised between November 2006 and April 2007.
Al Reef, owned by Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, emerged as the leading stable with a massive 5,097 points while Emirates Stables was placed second with 2,649 in the annual season-ending points tally announced by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation.
Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi played a stellar role in Al Reef's domination as he finished as the top trainer as well as the top rider. Yousuf tallied a total of 1,079 points, sending out quite a few winners both in the Open and junior categories while Spanish trainer Jaume Punti Dachs was placed second with 729 points.
In the riders' pack, three Al Reef riders swept the top three places with Yousuf (1,079) being followed by Spaniard Jesus Manuel Berna (729) and Omair Hussain Abdullah Al Beloushi (701).
Cameo Zinnia and Jibbah Enog, two of Al Reef's champion horses, finished 1-2 for the 2006-07 season to complete a dominating performance by the Abu Dhabi-based stables.
Innovative addition
Other highlights of the season included the birth of another venue for competitive riding and an innovative addition of rides open only to owners and riders from smaller stables.
Out of the total 51 rides, 24 of them were FEI competitions, 25 were Qualifiers while the remaining two were national rides.
While eight rides were held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, the Dubai International Endurance Village in Seih Assalam organised 13 rides, including qualifiers.
The Bouthib Endurance Village in Abu Dhabi staged 26 rides including qualifiers while joining the list as the newest venues was the Al Asayl Endurance Village which saw four rides being worked off exclusively ladies.
The three-ride Al Asayl Ladies Challenge made a debut with Shaikha Alyazia Bint Sultan Al Nahyan, with 35 points, emerging on top.
However, the most innovative additions to the 2006-07 season were initiated by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Fin-ance and Industry and Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister.
Six competitions were held for riders and horses from private and smaller stables and with all the regulars staying away, newcomers and novices had their chance to hog the limelight. Four of these rides were sponsored by Shaikh Hamdan and two by Shaikh Sultan.
Cultural activities
Bouthib Endurance Village also hosted, for the first time, a three-day Endurance Festival with several cultural activities taking place on all the days. The main feature was a 240-km three-day Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup.
With the season behind them, some of the top UAE riders will be taking part in international rides during the summer months while others will aim at getting themselves qualified for the European Open Championship, to be held in Portugal in September and for next year's World Championship, to be held in Malaysia.
