January 5, 2013, Abu Dhabi ~ Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Advisor and Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs attended the CEN 100km Al Ettihad Endurance Cup For Private Owners Only (UAE) at the Abu Dhabi Emirates Endurance Village on Saturday, January 4, 2014.
Hamad Obaid Rashed Al Kaabi partnered his eight-year-old crossbred mare Loca Linda to victory for the Al Khaili Pvt Stables in the first endurance ride of 2014. The winner covered the distance in 3:34:40 at an average speed of 27.950km/h to cross the finish line two minutes ahead of Uruguayan contender Jaonatan Rivera Iriarte onboard the nine-year-old Partbred Arab mare HC Golden Queen. Yousif Mohammed Hassan Al Hammadi, astride Arabian gelding Sangha Fageole, was a minute away back in third.
84 riders from UAE and elsewhere started the race under ideal winter weather conditions, but only less than half of the field (34 riders) have completed the race or passed the final vet test.
The Portuguese Consular Manuel Miranda alongside the organizer of the Portugal Endurance Ride which will be held under the patronage of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival from April 25 to 27, 2014 also attended the event.
Adnan Sultan, director of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Lara Sawaya, director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and chairman of the Ladies Racing Committee in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) joined by the Portuguese Consular to the UAE Manuel Miranda, gave away the trophies and prizes to the winners.
HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan commented: “Equine sport is part of our heritage and culture the foundations of which have been laid down by late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. And from that solid base, we are building on to preserve and promote our civilization by hosting various events on the horses’ back.”
“The invitation of 15 UAE lady riders to take part in the Portugal Endurance Ride scheduled from April 25 to 27 under the patronage of the festival falls within the strategy of encouraging the UAE women to make their mark in all fields and gain the experience of competing against high-profile riders from the rest of the world in the buildup for the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance World Championship in order to fly the flag of their nation in this international arena,” he continued.
In the meantime, Sawaya hailed the successful launching of the race in which the riders have produced high-speed with a record number of participants representing the different private stables in the UAE.
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 coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare and Fegentri with Arabtec Holding PJSC as the Official Partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Al Rashid Investment, 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 2014, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah and Racing Post.
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