Dubai: Ahmad Mohammad Ahmad Belqaizi, a member of the UAE’s gold medal-winning team at the 2012 World Endurance Championship at Euston Park in England, won the Al Yamamah Endurance ride for mares at the Dubai International Endurance City on Friday.
A veteran of more than 80 rides, Belqaizi needed to call on all his experience to hold off Salim Said Alim Al Owaisi and Ali Mohammad Ali Al Housaini in a close three-horse finish.
Riding the 11-year-old grey Zarca, the Fazza Endurance Team Stables rider crossed the finish in a time of 4 hours, 21 minutes and 33 seconds, only two seconds ahead of Al Owaisi, representing F3 Stables, while Al Housaini was a further second back in third place.
It was Belqaizi’s first victory since he won the CEI 1* ride over 80km at the same venue in Novemer.
Belqaizi credited Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, for giving him a winning strategy.
“I dedicate this victory to Shaikh Hamdan, it was his advice that helped me win,” he said. “Endurance riding is very comeptitive as there are so many good riders now in the UAE and today’s ride was no different.
“I could feel the pressure all through the 120 kilometres of the ride and it was only the key bits of advice that I received from Shaikh Hamdan that made the difference between winning and losing today.”
Belqaizi said that the conditions were very difficult and it did not make things easier.
“It was very windy out there and gradually as the sun came up it became hot and difficult for both horse and rider,” he said. “You needed to be very watchful of your horse in these conditions, but Zarca is a wonderful mare and she was up to the task today and gave a brilliant display.
“This is one of the best performance by me for a long time as the winning margin was very narrow.”
Belqaizi said he will try to get a much needed rest before he returns today to compete in the Dubai Crown Prince’s Cup, the biggest ride of the four-day festival.
“It’s always great to ride in the big ones and although I am tired I am looking forward to returning on Saturday to compete in the prestigious Dubai Crown Prince’s Cup,” he said.
