Sure-footed Hassan gallops to thrilling Endurance victory

One of the most respected endurance riders in the UAE, Hassan bin Ali converted his consistency into a winning display to lift the HH The President of UAE Cup Endurance Ride here yesterday. Hassan bin Ali staved off a strong challenge from the French brigade to finish ahead of compatriot Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi by a second. Both riders held each others' hands at the finishing line to celebrate their 1-2 finish. The two riders completed a memorable double riding Salah El Saadran and Zeyb Sha Zam respectively. Both the horses are owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler and Minister of Finance and Industry.

Earlier bad luck hit three top riders, who all seemed to be in the running for the top place. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Defence Minister, who led after the second and third stage, pulled out during the fourth loop as his horse appeared to be tiring fast. And just before the start of the final loop, Cecile Miletto of France and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum also pulled out after their horses failed during the second vet check.

Cecile, who came second in the world championship, was placed third just behind Hassan bin Ali and Ali Mohammed at that stage and seemed set to challenge the UAE duo. However world champion Maya Killa Perringerard more than made up for Cecile's unfortunate exit when she finished third while another French rider, Jean-Marie Oliver finished fourth.

Earlier in the morning, Sheikh Ahmed bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, one of the favourites, was eliminated after the second stage when his horse Stanpark Ginnis was found lame while Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan pulled out between gate two and three. "We are very delighted. Thanks to Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid who has brought some of the best horses to the stables.

We only had to judge the pace in the early stages of the ride. Me and Ali Mohammed just decided to finish the ride. The horses have settled down and we expect some good performance from our stables," said Hassan bin Ali, who finished third in 1999 and second in 2000 in the FEI Worldwide Ranking. Hassan bin Ali completed the five-stage 160-kilometre ride in 8 hours 9 minutes 51 seconds with compatriot Ali Mohammed finishing just a second behind.

For Maya Killa. it certainly was a much-improved display as the world champion climbed her way to third place after being 22nd after the first stage and 17th after the second stage. "The ride was very hard. Though my horse was in good shape I was really getting tired. I am happy with this result," said Maya Killa. The unluckiest of them all were Cecile Miletto and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. While Cecile was breathing down the leaders' necks, young Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed was just two minutes behind them.

In fact both Cecile's and Sheikh Ahmed's horses cleared the first vet check but in the second check, just before departure on to the final 18 kms, their horses were found to be lame. "After showing some tiredness in the third stage, Dynamik was really up and running in the fourth. Unfortunately he was lame at the check and after that again he is fine now," said Cecile, who had finished second in the world championship on the same horse. Later Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan awarded mementos to the winners. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum was also awarded a memento.

The President's Cup Children's Ride over 84 kilometres will be held today at the Al Wathba Endurance Village. Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Faisal Al Qasimi and Sheikh Abdullah Faisal Al Qasimi are some of the main riders in this ride. The event is being sponsored by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.The ride starts at 8.30am and will be run in three stages of 36, 32 and 16 kilometres.

Provisional results (first five):

1. Hassan bin Ali (Salah El Saadran) Time: 8hrs 09mins. 51secs; 2. Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi (Zeyb Sha Zam) T:8:09:52; 3. Maya Killa Perringerard-France- (Dakota) T: 8:35:13; 4. Jean-Marie Oliver-France-(Everly de Quivarch) T: 8:38:17; 5. Salem Saeed Ghanem Al Mansouri (Mountain Mustard) 8:53:54.