February 15, 2014, Abu Dhabi ~ Wearing his typical shy smile, Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri crossed the finish line in first place with his winning partner Niac Armor for Al Wathba Stables in the CEI *** 160km President of the UAE Endurance Cup, taking home the keys to a car, a custom Rolex watch and a cash prize of Dh300,000 (€60,000).
The two fought for the win at the Emirates International Endurance Village and triumphed over 128 starters finishing in the time of 06:03:39 at an average speed of 26.4kph.
Second to finish almost two minutes later was Sultan Ahed Al Baloushi riding the Arabian gelding, Elphyn Silverlight for Etihad Stables. Third in was Mohd Rashed Al Mazrooei riding the Anglo/Arabian Perdeberg Cobra for Seeh Al Salam Endurance.
The UAE took all 16 places and the first European to finish was Marco Sardo riding Ramses in the time of 06:50:29.
Pamela file photo
The 12- year- old Anglo mare, Niac Armor, is by Fadasir by the famous endurance stallion, Persik. Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, now fifteen, won the YRJunior FEI Championship at Tarbes, France, in July 2013, with Niac Armor in the time of 06:00:34.
Top Finish:
4.. Mansour Mohd Al Faresi on Norwest
5. Aya Abdulla Reda Ishaq Ali riding Exclusiva
6. Nesreen K Ali Khaled, Baraka Farid
7.Abdulla G Al Marri on Qhahmyr D Hazel
The last rider to finish, #47, was Kione Eiesland Holen, riding Shere Khan who finished with a ride time of 10:29:59.
The only rider from the USA, Mary Katheryn Clark riding Mapple Honey owned by Sheikh Madiya Hasher Al Maktoum, went out at Gate 2 due to lameness.
Teams were comprised of 4 members with results of 3 members to finish:
- Al Wathba Stables: combined time 18:26.13
2. MRM Stable: combined time 19:19:13
3. Emirates Stables: combined time 21:08:31
Riders from Argentina, Bahrain, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Malaysia, Brazil, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Poland, Norway, Switzerland, Hungary, Italy, India, France, GBR, Germany, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Sweden, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, in addition to the UAE riders took part in the ride. A total of 25 horses from outside the UAE were approved for competition.
The runner-up will receive Dh200,000 (€40,000) plus a car, while the third placed finisher will also go home with a car and a cash prize of Dh100,000 (€20,000).
The winning team won a car and a share of the Dh1.5 million prize-money which will be distributed among all the riders who finished the ride.
~end