Spanish rider Pinol tops in Al Dhafra Endurance Ride
13 December 2014, Abu Dhabi ~ Top Spanish rider Laian Soria Pinol on nine-year-old gelding Junte La Plata won the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival ‘s CEI Two Star 120km Al Dhafra Endurance Ride for Al Reef Stables at the Emirates Endurance International Village in Al Wathba on Saturday, 13 December.
The winner covered the distance in the ride time of 4:25:34 at an average speed of 27.112 km/hr to finish 17 seconds ahead of the French contender Maedve Valentin from Al Wathba Stables while the UAE’s Salem Hamad Saeed Al Kitbi from Al Asifa-2 Stables was third. It was a challenging event as only 12 riders out of 211 completed. The top nine finishers drove away nine 4WD brand new vehicles provided by the organizers.
“I’m truly delighted to win this well organised competition despite the tough challenge that I have been facing from the two riders who were second and third. I would like to thank Abdulla Hassan Al Hammadi, Al Reef Ajab Stables trainer for his hard work to prepare the horse in a very good shape,” the winner said later.
Al Hammadi noted that Pinol was riding patiently and followed the instructions to keep the horse fit all the way.
The race was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai,HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, HH Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Advisor and HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The event was organised under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan as part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Emirates International Endurance Village.
12 December ~Al Mazrouei wins Yas Ride for Private Owners
The UAE’s Saif Ahmed Al Mazrouei, astride Haroon from Al Sabousi Stables, landed the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival ‘s CEN 100km Yas Endurance Ride for Private Owners Only at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba here on Friday, 12 December.
The race attracted 120 riders from the private stables within the UAE to battle it out for the five 4WD vehicles that have been provided for the top five finishers.
The winner covered the distance in the ride time of 3:32:32 at an average speed of 28.23km/ hour. The brilliant performer advanced from the 15th position by the end of the first loop to settle fourth in the second vet gate then fell back to the seventh place after the third phase before he made his final move to lead and cross the finish line ahead of all.
Indian contender B. Singh finished 0.08 seconds behind in second place for the Abdullah Al Qaisah Stables and then came the Uruguayan rider Jonathan Riveira from Al Ain Stables.
Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of Ladies Racing Committee in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities ( IFAHR) and Chairman of Apprentice Jockeys and Racing in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities ( IFAHR), Ahmed Al Shamsi, representing TDIC and Saif Al Awani, owner of the Al Awani General Enterprises presented the prizes and trophies to the top three winners.