Abu Dhabi: It was a perfect day out for the Al Beloushis and Al Redhas at Bou Thieib Endurance Village in Al Khatem yesterday.
Fourteen-year-old Rashed Ahmad Al Beloushi and his elder brother, 20-year-old Munthar Ahmad made it a 1-2 finish for the all-conquering Al Reef Stables in the 100-km Emirates Endurance Cup for Junior and Young Riders.
The two horses Rivendell Sharman and Carallio were trained by Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi, the elder brother of the two youngsters to complete a hat-trick of wins in the three rides this season for the Al Ain-based trainer-cum-rider.
Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi picked his youngest brother as a better rider after the 1-2 finish in the junior ride gave Al Reef another dominating victory.
"He is just 14 so it is a good achievement. Munthar, who finished second today had won the first ride here on the same horse and Carallio is shaping up into a great campaigner," said Yousuf.
After the exploits of the Al Beloushi brothers, the father and daughter combination of Aziz Al Redha and Layla tasted success in the 100-km Emirates Endurance Cup for privately owned horses.
Eliminated
Layla Abdul Aziz Al Redha on Foxtrot 40 showed what a well-paced run can fetch when she stood in first place with the winning horse being trained by her father Abdul Aziz Al Redha.
Layla, who was sixth going into the final stage of the four-stage 100-km event which is held for horses owned by private stables, did well and finished fourth. But the top three riders who finished in the race, Narayan Singh Dungar Singh on Saraab, Mansour Ebrahim Ahmad on Tio Elmo and Pukha Raman Nimba Ram on Thorn were all eliminated after their horse failed the final veterinary check.
Tough
But Layla, whose family has had a long association with horses with the winner being a showjumper too, while her father Abdul Aziz has also been an endurance rider and a trainer, did well to ensure her horse Foxtrot 40 finished in good condition and notch up yet another win.
It was Layla's third win with Foxtrot 40. "It was a tough ride today. I moved into fifth place and then fourth just before the finish line. Then I was told that the top three horses were having a bit of problem and my horse passed to give me another win.
"Last year I won two similar races on him. He is a great champion," said Layla describing her 11-year-old grey gelding.
Two other Qualifier rides were also held and all four events were held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister.
