Abu Dhabi: Shaikha Alyazia Bint Sultan Al Nahyan won the round two of the three-round Al Asayl Ladies Championship Endurance Series, which was held on Friday at the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, Sweihan, Abu Dhabi.
According to a press release from the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, Shaikha Alyazia rode 10-year-old Arab mare Ningadoo Moesha owned by the Al Reef Stables.
Shaikha Alyazia completed the 80-km ride in 3 hours, 15 minutes and 19 seconds at an average speed of 24.58 kmph.
Moment of glory
The FEI, CEI Two-star round two, which was run in three phases of 30km, 30km and 20 km respectively, was flagged off early in the morning with 20 enthusiastic young ladies of whom 13 riders successfully finished the ride.
The round two endurance ride, jointly organised by The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, is part of the Three-round Al Asayl Endurance Championship, the first of which was held on January 19, 2007.
The round three, which is the culmination of the Series, will be held on March 9, after which, based on a point system, the Ladies Endurance Champion will be declared. All the rides are being held under the patronage of Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Equestrian Federation.
For Shaikha Alyazia, who is the Manager of the Al Asayl Endurance Centre, this was a real moment of glory as she had decided to retire from round one at gate two keeping the welfare of her horse in mind.
Displaying excellent riding skills and a fine rapport with her horse Ningadoo, Shaikha Alyazia finished the first loop of 30 km in one hour, 16 minutes and 53 seconds riding at an average speed of 23.41 kmph. She finished the next two loops ahead of others.
Close behind
Second place in the ride went to Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi who partnered 12-year-old Jen A Dale Zamarah, a chestnut mare also from Al Reef Stables. She finished the ride in 3 hours, 15 minutes and 20 seconds, just a second behind Shaikha Alyazia, and rode at an average speed of 24.57 kmph.
Shaikha Madiya Hasher Mana Al Maktoum finished third riding Huzie D Ax, 12-year-old grey mare from Emirates Stables. She clocked 3 hours, 21 minutes and 57 seconds and her average speed registered was 23.77 kmph.
