Two endurance rides and a game park for children made a highlight for the weekend at Al Wathba
27 February 2016, Abu Dhabi, UAE ~ A Ladies only endurance ride topped the Abu Dhabi weekend on 26 February with HH Sheikha Mahra Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum heading out with the 108 riders on the CEN 100km race. The Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance ride was named in honor of the daughter of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Nouf Abdul Reda Ali and the Anglo-Arabian RR Erebus won the ride coverering the distance in 3:26:34 with an average speed of 29.04kph. Polish rider Kamila Anita Karet was second on the part Arabian Thaalob and in third was Argentine Sabrina Mendiz on the Arabian mare H C E Magfalcada Su. Fourth was Amy Louis MC Auley (IRE) riding Jager FPA, while Shathra Ahmed Murad Al Hajjaj (UAE) on J Star made it in for fifth place. Sheikha Mahra bint Mohd Al Maktoum finished 12th on the part Arabian, Oubar Rio.
The winning rider said,“I’m truly happy. The race was tough and the competition was strong. The third loop was particularly very difficult.”
The winner’s trainer, Abdulla Mohammed Rashid Al Naqbi, said with delight: “RR Erebus is a good horse and easy to train. He finished third in the Al Dhafra Endurance Ride at the beginning of the season and hopefully he will continue to impress during the rest of the season.”
Festival Director Lara Sawaya said the race was fantastic with HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and her brothers attending the race.
“The children’s Art Creativity Land was great and the children enjoyed the special events and the gifts and prizes which were presented to them.”
CEN 100km Sheikh Mohammed bin Mansoor Bin Zayed al Nahyan Cup for Private Owners
The HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup for Private Owners’ 100-km CEN Endurance Ride was held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, on Saturday, 27 February with 107 riders on the start list.
Maria Cecilia Sebben on the nine-year-old Anglo-Arabian, HC Potra Perka was the final winner after moving into top position in the third loop of the four loop ride. Her winning time was 3:39:20 while Saif Al Mazroui finished second on AL Qaher about five minutes later. Jonatan Rivera Iriarte riding SM Conjeque made it in for third and a 1-3 win record for the day for Uruguay.
“I can’t believe it,” said a jubilant Sebben. “I would like to thank the owner Ali Nasser Al Yabhouni and trainer Saeed Suhail Ali Al Yabhouni for trusting me. My horse was in a very good shape and never let me down when I have asked to improve in the concluding stages. He was always going well and the weather was very helpful.”
The race was attended by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan who gave the winners awards alongside Mohammed Ali Al Kamali, Deputy Chairman of the Emirates Equestrian Federation, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Taleb Al Muhairi, secretary general of the Emirates Equestrian Federation and Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of the Int’l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairman of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR).
Ms Lara Sawaya added: “It was extremely a successful event from all aspects. The children were excited and this was the purpose of the race. It was a beautiful family day out. More than 107 stables took part in the races on each day.”
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, IPIC as Strategic Partner, 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 Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, 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 2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort
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