Hassan braves heat to win Emirates Cup

The rising temperatures yesterday forced the organising committee to shorten the 130-km Emirates Cup by 20 km. But the heat and humidity did not deter the riders from stepping up the pace in the final stage as Al Wathba Stables once again provided the winner in Hassan Abdullah Yousef Al Hammadi.

The CEI-two star Emirates Challenge ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba yesterday was scheduled to be run over five stages of 34kms, 32kms, 28kms, 20kms and 16kms each. However, midway through the third stage, with the mercury rising further, the fourth stage of 20 kms was cancelled.

But by then the top bunch of leading riders had been pacing themselves for a 130-km event and suddenly with the distance being shortened they all pushed their horses to well beyond the 30km per hour speed.

Hassan Abdullah on Ro-Fabiola started the final loop six seconds ahead of Matar Ali Al Hammadi on Mylex Cherookee from Al Reef Stables. They were followed by Jaber Bittar, Charles Wilson and the favourite Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri another three minutes behind the leader.

Both Hassan Abdullah and Matar Ali Al Hammadi were involved in a fast-paced tussle for supremacy and the Al Reef Stables' Matar Ali crossed the finish line ahead of the eventual winner.

But the over 30-kmph speed on the final 16-km loop seemed to have taken its toll on Matar Ali's horse Mylex Cherookee which was found lame and eliminated.

Hassan Abdullah's mount Ro-Fabiola, however passed the final vet check and was declared winner. It was Hassan Abdullah's second career win and yet another success for Al Wathba Stables this season.

Hassan Abdullah had won the 120-km Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation Endurance Ride in December last year.

"It was a very tricky ride. The final stage was very fast and competitive. I am happy with the performance of my horse," said the winner. "THis success goes to everyone in the stables who have been doing a marvellous job throughout the season," added the Al Wathba rider.

The winner completed the 110km distance in a timing of 4 hours 35 minutes 26 seconds with an average speed of 23.96kmph.

Ali Khalfan on Parlour Mountain Anzac, whose final 16-km loop speed of 32.38 was the highest on the ride, advanced from his 5th place in the penultimate loop to take the second place and continue his impressive run of displays.

"I was really caught by surprise when the ride was shortened. I was in the third loop then and I had to narrow a gap of almost six minutes. However I managed to get my horse do a good final loop," said Al Khalfan Al Jahouri, who is also a trainer at Al Wathba.

A few seconds behind Al Khalfan finished Charles Edward Wilson of Great Britain on Judstan Sheetah.

"This is the same horse on which I finished third in Dubai and also won the Best Conditioned Horse Award," said Wilson who represents the Royal Stables. "It was very hot out there but the breeze did make up a bit. The final loop was very challenging," said Wilson.

Mohammed Said Mohd. Al Jawari of Oman on El Agdal Nasa Shar and Patricio Guzman from Uruguay on Bentley II were also eliminated after completed the ride.

Earlier a total of 73 riders started in the morning and some of the notable riders who made an early exit were Sheikh Khaled bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan (third stage), Abdullah Khamis Ali Saeed (third stage) and Hassan bin Ali (retired 3rd stage).

Mohammed Al Sayed Al Hashmi, Chairman of Emirates International Endurance Committee and Hussein Mohammed Hussein, Secretary general of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation distributed the trophies to the winners.

Results

First 10 placings:
1. Hassan Abdullah Youssef Al Hammadi (Ro-Fabiola) 4:35.26;
2. Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri (Parlour Mountain Anzac) 4:35.34;
3. Charles Edward Wilson - GBR-(Judstan Sheetah) 4:35.44;
4. Dr. Jaber Bittar (Pathaania) 4:38.45
5. Sheikh Abdullah bin Faisal Al Qassimi (Atbegir Baywatch) 4:58.34;
6. Ana Maria Novoa Fuenlealba - Chile- (Mroah) 4:59.45;
7. Khalid Abdul Rahim Al Hammadi (Centre Czar) 5:00.006;
8. Sheikh Juma Dalmook J Al Maktoum (Naashogi) 5:10.24;
9. Majed Ali Al Marzooqi (Oak Lyn Lassiter) 5:16.19;
10. Dharmender Singh-India-(Malincada) 5:21.31.