Dubai: Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi extended his red-hot form to rewrite another world record while Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, finished a steady second in yesterday's Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, 160-km FEI-Three star ride at the Dubai International Endurance City.
Al Beloushi, riding 11-year-old grey gelding Jayhal Shazal, led from the very first stage in the six-stage 160km ride to register another victory for the Al Reef Stables. Al Beloushi and Jayhal Shazal completed the ride in five hours 45 minutes and 44 seconds to break the world record held by a horse trained by the rider himself. The horse was ridden by his younger brother Sultan Ahmad Al Beloushi in the President's Cup earlier this year. Sultan on Charlandre El Sharif broke his own world record for a 160km ride by more than seven minutes when he had clocked 6 hours 21 minutes and 12 seconds.
Final loop
Yousuf, who averaged 27.77kmph for the 160km ride, unleashed a terrific speed of 35.53kmph on his horse in the final loop. "This is one of my greatest wins and I am very happy that the world record stays in the family," said Al Beloushi, who has been one of the most consistent riders on the UAE circuit. He also holds the record for 120kms.
Shaikh Hamdan used to ride as a preparation for the World Endurance Games to be held in Kentucky later this year when he kept himself in the leader group for most of the race, finishing the last two stages behind the winner.
Riding Hattam, Shaikh Hamdan completed the ride less than six minutes behind the winner with all three top finishers breaking the world record.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also took part in yesterday's ride.
Two more rides were held by the Dubai Equestrian Club as the curtains came down on the endurance season here at this venue.
Harmke Margreta Westervest of The Netherlands won the Dubai Crown Prince Cup riding EDL Agbahr. She completed the 120-km distance in 4hrs 04mins and 17 seconds to finish ahead of Emirati pair Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim and Mansour Ebrahim Al Salman. In the national ride over 100 kms, Abdullah Ahmad Al Shaikh finished on top riding M. Calfio.
Results
The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, 160km FEI-Three star ride:
1.Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi (Jayhal Shazal) 5 hrs 45 mins 44 secs;
2. Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Hattam) 5:51.32; 3. Thani Mohammad Al Muhairi (Maquarie Park Sedition) 5:53.24.
Dubai Crown Prince Cup, 120-km FEI Two Star ride:
1. Harmke Margreta Westervest-NED- (EDL Agbahr) 4:04.17; 2. Abdullah Thani Bin Huzaim (Skyros DE Peyrols) 4:07.39; 3. Mansour Ebrahim Al Salman (Redah) 4:09.03
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum Challenge 101km CEN Ride:
1. Abdullah Ahmad Al Shaikh (M. Calfiao) 3:27.01; 2. Aliya Ali Al Marzouqi (The Rockets) 3:27.03; 3. Hamad Ebrahim Al Marzouqi (Churrasquito) 3:27.46