Dubai: The UAE riders will be hoping to make it a memorable double when they compete on the final day of the Festival Mondial d’Endurance - Compiègne in France on Sunday.
A strong team has been assembled for the CEI**120-km ride which is the highlight of the five-day endurance Festival sponsored by the HH Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.
Earlier on Friday, Emirati rider Saif Ahmad Al Mazroui won the CEIO*** 160-km ride for individuals as teammate Ali Ganem Obaid Al Ali, finished third.
The ride was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Frenchwoman Marine Saignie split the UAE pair when she clinched the second spot.
Riding Nopolo Del Ma, Al Mazroui made steady progress over the course of the five loops to grab the lead in the final stage and cross the finish line in a time of 7 hours 35 minutes and 33 seconds.
Al Mazroui had also partnered Nopoli Del Ma to win a 120-km ride earlier in the season in Dubai and the winning rider said it was his first win in a 160-km ride.
“His Highness Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Hamdan gave me valuable tips as the ride progressed. I dedicate this win to them,” said the winning rider.
“The first loop was tough and there were a lot of riders in the leader’s pack. It was a close competition right through and I am happy that my horse is now qualified for the World Equestrian Games to be held in Normandy later this year.”
Saignie (Qhashmyr D’Hazel) clocked a time of 07:37:47secs while Al Ali returned a time of 07:50:37secs.
Sunday’s programme also features the 120-km HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Cup.
The UAE will be represented by lady riders Maysa Ahmad Hassan Al Braiki, Shathra Ahmad Al Hajaj, Reem Shahban Ebrahim Al Hassan, Alia Kazim Mohammad Al Kafajy, Aisha Darwish Ahmad Al Romaithi, Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi and Aya Abdullah Redha Ishaq Ali among others.
“The 120-km event will be a good opportunity for the UAE lady riders to test themselves against some strong international riders,” said Lara Sawaya, the newly named Executive Director of the HH Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.
“We thank Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, for making this happen,”
“Hassan Rakan Al Mansouri has been kind enough to provide his horses for the UAE lady riders which adds to the encouragement and support that the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival extends to lady riders.”
The HH Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society.
It is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with Arabtec Holding PJSC as the Official Partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Rashid Investment, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2014, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and Racing Post.
