Abu Dhabi: Munder Ahmad Al Beloushi of Al Reef Stables and Hassan Abdullah Yousuf Al Hammadi of Al Wathba Stables won the Emirates Challenge and the Giants Endurance Challenge (Round 1) 120-km rides, respectively, at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba yesterday.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attended the ride.
It was a great win for Al Beloushi on the 16-year-old gelding Sharahd Talik in extremely challenging conditions while for elder brother Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi, it was another success as trainer. Sharahd Talik last won under Sultan Ahmad Al Beloushi in December 2008 in Dubai and repeated that feat again yesterday here at the Al Wathba venue with strong winds and dusty conditions making it very difficult for the riders.
Great shape
Al Beloushi was in the fifth position going into the final loop but with Sharahd Talik in great shape, he managed to overtake the other four riders and finish first.
The win was Al Beloushi's first at the Open level and he completed the 120-km ride in four hours 36 minutes and 29 seconds recording an average speed of 26.04km/h.
"It was very tough out there but we had a great final loop. In the National Day Cup I was on top but had to retire in the fourth loop so this win is a great achievement for me," said the young Al Reef Stable rider.
"Sharahd Talik was not in competition for a long time due to an injury but he came back and proved his class winning today," said trainer Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi, the Pan Arab Games gold medallist.
In the Giants Challenge Round 1 it was another Abu Dhabi Stable, Al Wathba, which sent out the winner. Hassan Abdullah Yousuf Al Hammadi on ten-year-old gelding Sanducero did well to keep the UAE's flag flying high when he finished ahead of a Uruguayan and a Spanish rider.
Consistent
Al Hammadi, one of the most consistent performers and with four previous wins under his belt, however was back at the helm of the podium after a gap of two years. It was also the season's first win for Al Wathba Stables whose rider Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri last year won the European Open gold medal.
Al Hammadi completed the 120-km event in four hours, 51 minutes and 29 seconds with an average speed of 24.70km/h, followed by Uruguay's Federico Zubiaurre on Tiramisu 2 and Spain's Diego Bellon Santos on Zannarah Pashina.
Results (Top 5)
Emirates Challenge 120-km CEI Two-star Endurance Ride
- 1. Munder Ahmad Al Beloushi (Sharahd Talik) 4 hrs, 36 mins and 29 secs
- 2. Ahmad Mohammad Yafour Al Saboosi ( Madji Du Pont) 4:38.30
- 3. Kamila Kart -POL- (Tresor Hab) 4: 38.31.
- 4. Mohammad Sulaiman Rashid Al Marboui (Die Kinder Jag) 04:41.47
- 5. Thani Mohammad Al Muhairi (Akasha Sansation) 04:43.58
Giants (Round 1) CEI Two-star 120-km Endurance Ride:
- 1.Hassan Abdullah Yousuf Al Hammadi (Sanducero) 4:51.29;
- 2. Federico Zubiaurre -URU-(Tiramisu 2) 4:53.17
- 3. Diego Bellon Santos-ESP-(Zannarah Pashina) 5:00.42
- 4. Rasheed Ali Younus Ali (Quarismatic) 5:00.53;
- 5. Ahmad Bin Harmash (Bounda) 5:03:52.
