Abu Dhabi: Defending champion Shaikh Hazza Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan carved out a seven-second lead over strong contender Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi after the first 80km in the three-day 240km Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup which started on Thursday.
Riding 10-year-old Akab, Shaikh Hazza was in fine form as he moved ahead of a strong line-up of riders at the Boudtheib Endurance Village in Al Khatem here yesterday.
Gruelling ride
With 20 of the 59 riders who started the gruelling 240-km ride being eliminated at the end of day one, Shaikh Hazza will start off with Al Reef champion Yousef Ahmad Al Beloushi on Zara Farm Chandali in second place.
Shaikh Hazza, who won this ride last year after Yousef was eliminated after completing the three-day 240-km ride in first place, got off to a steady start riding alongside his younger brother Shaikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Nemer.
At the end of the first 30kms, Shaikh Hazza was in 16th place while Shaikh Khalid was in 18th place with another top UAE rider Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi leading that loop. At the end of the second stage of another 30kms, Shaikh Hazza moved into sixth place behind Shaikh Khalid in fifth while Yousuf was in second place. However on the final 20km, Shaikh Khalid and Akab worked up a fast pace to finish first followed by Yousef while Shaikh Khalid finished the day in sixth place.
Alongside the 240-FEI CEI three-star ride, the Boudtheib Endurance also staged the 120km UAE.CEN Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup (for Privately Owned horses) both being sponsored by Sorouh.
Omani rider Fahad Abdullah Mubarak Al Beloushi posted a convincing win with Nakita in the Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for privately-owned stables.
Fahad was delighted with his first career win. "I have been riding since I was 13 and have been based in Al Ain for four years now," said Fahad.
The action in the three-day ride continues today along with the 120km Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for Young Riders and Juniors, also sponsored by Sorouh.
