Alvarez Ponton Tops two days of endurance

20 May, Madrid, Spain – Former World Endurance Champion Maria Alvarez has been crowned the Gaulta de la Nina after winning the 160-km three-star FEI ride on Delif De La Nie at the Carmara Esteruelas suburb in Madrid, Spain, on 19 May 2017.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is supporting five endurance rides in Madrid including the 160-km ride and the Abu Dhabi-Madrid-Brussels Endurance Challenge, all FEI rides.

Alvarez Ponton finished the 160 FEI 3* ride in a time of 7:34:30 riding on an average speed of 21.12kmph. Second in almost five minutes later was Angel Soy Col riding Sheitan A Gwervaen (7:34:51, 21.10kmph), followed seconds later for third place was Anna Maria Tamerra on Girola De Quercus (7:34:52 seconds, 21.10 kmph).

The 160-km ride was run in five phases of 37km, 37km, 32km, 32km, and 22km. The 2 days of FEI endurance attracted top riders from Spain looking to book a berth on the National team for the coming international events, particularly the 2017 Grand Prix.

80km 1* – 19 May

Francesco Herrera Carmona riding Pique JC won the 80-km *One Star ride in a timing of 3:50:53 at an average speed of 21.05 kmph. The second place in the three-stage ride went to Jordi Lopez riding Jasa (3:55:47), while third places was grabbed by Maria Barguerro on Girasol. Maria put up a brave front despite a fall resulting in inuries to her knee and fingers. Her timing was 3:55:48.

20 May

 120km 2* 

The second day’s ride again saw Alvarez Ponton in the saddle, this time leading the Spanish ladies team to victory in the 120km 2* ride. Alvarez Ponton was riding the 9-yr-old mare, JM Bucefala (winning her third 160km ride) and finishing in a ride time of 5:34:56 at an average speed of 22.03 kmph. Spain’s Silvia Altimiras on Maver Helsinki and Ana Maria Garcia riding Hechicero were the next to arrive. Thirteen riders started and six finished the ladies ride.

Alvarez Ponton thanked the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival for giving her an opportunity to ride in her home country. “It was a tough challenge following the extensive hot and humid weather conditions and the strong contenders from local and European countries posed a greater competition.”

King’s Cup 120k 2*

The King’s Cup was run alongside the Ladies 120km 2* and was won by Prince Bernat Casillas on Ugolin de Parical covering the distance in 5:34:57 with an average speed of 22.03 kmph. Second place went to Juan Carlos Panchame riding Americano taking 5:54:28 and maintaining an average speed of 20.82 kmph. In third place was Javier Garcia Cuervo riding Tuno, the duo covering the distance in 5:59:02 with an average speed of 20.55kmph.

CEI YJR 2* 120km

The CEI YJR 2* 120km was won by Slovakian rider Lucia Superkova on Chester in a ride time of 6:07:33 followed by Spanish riders Laura Fernandez Pina on Angelina and Maite Pradira Lido riding Game On
four minutes later.

80km 1*

Rocco Diaz Corton won the first place in a timing 3:42:32 seconds at a speed of 21.83 kph on Braco D’Abalume. Alejandro Conradi Monteiro riding Anwar Jabato finished two minutes later and third place went to Andrea Trujillo Ruiz on Aisha JC, finishing three minutes in the rear.

Dr. Hessa Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to Spain the Vatican and Andalus, and Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the Int’l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committee presented the prizes to the winners of different categories.

The ceremony was attended by Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, General Manager of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Anton Herrero, President of the Royal Union and Vice-President of the Spanish Equestrian Federation, Carmen Espada, Managing Director of Camarma de Esteruelas Resort and Otto Velez, President of the Arabian Horse Association.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The  National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with  and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC,  Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club,  Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf,  Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2017, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

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