November 15, 2013, Abu Dhabi ~ UAE top rider Ahmed Mohammed Al Jaber partnered Omani Quandra to glory in the opening Wathba Stud Cup for Private Owners, a CEN 100km Wathba Challenge Endurance Ride at the Emirates International Village on Friday.
The winner covered the distance in three hours, 35 minutes and 49 seconds at an average speed of 27.80km/hour to lead by seven minutes 21 seconds ahead of Al Ain Stables contender Hamad Badr Abdulla Al Hammadi astride Venica and behind them came Azam Oan Al Kathiri to claim the third place honours for Al Ain Stables in three hours fourty five minutes and 30 seconds.
The race was organized by the Emirates International Endurance Village in collaboration and coordination with the Emirates Equestrian Association under the directives of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs as part of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and cosponsored by Invest AD.
Adnan Al Nuaimi, director general of the AbU dhabi Equestrian Club, Lara Sawaya, Lara Sawaya, Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and Chairman of Ladies Racing Commitee in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and Sheikh Hamdan Al Sharqi,, representative of the Invest AD gave away the prizes and trophies to the winners.
Al Jabber walked away with a golden sword and drove home a brand new Nissan Patrol, the first runner up was awarded a silver sword and the second runner up got a bronze trophy. The total amount of Dh500.000 in prize-money will be distributed among all participants who have completed the race.
However, the 88 riders from both sexes who lined up under the early rays of the sun, made the utmost use of the extremely ideal weather conditions to conduct a clean ride that has been hailed by the officials. 
Lara Saway commented: “The race was tough and fast and represents a strong start for what could be an exciting season. HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed us to coordinate with all sports activities and races of Purebred Arabians and in this context, the guests of the festival have attended this race. This is very similar to the final of the festival at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club last Sunday including the endurance riders and trainers. The next stage will witness more attendance from the leading owners of Purebred Arabians flat and endurance races.”
The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as the official carrier and sponsored by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Invest AD, Arabtec Holding PJSC, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2013, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Wathba Stud Farm, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, and Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah.
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Photos by Morhaf