11 January 2015, Dubai ~ On Saturday 10 January over 170 riders lined up for the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup CEI***160km at the Dubai International Endurance City. At the end of six hours, 31 minutes and 33 seconds ride time, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai riding Napoli Del Ma emerged the winner.
MRM Stables won first and second as the 2014 winner, Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, guided Mureib to the runner-up position. Third place was awarded to Al Khalfan Al Jahouri of Al Wathba Stables on Moota Haddeea.
The ride organized by the Dubai Equestrian Club and part of the Longines Dubai racing connection had invited foreign riders from Canada, Chile, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Spain, France, Guatemala, Italy, Great Britain, Germany, Slovakia and the USA.
US rider Heather Reynolds finished 24th on Riverwatch (2012 WEC finish and Jeremy Reynolds 2011 Tevis Cup winner) in the ride time of 08:17:02. Riverwatch is now owned by Al Maneyah Endurance Stable. Maria Alvarez Ponton on Querhan Du Tourtel finished in 28th position. USA’s Mary Kathryn Clark on Maple Honey finished 54th riding with Sheikha Madiya Hasher Al Maktoum on Skip from her Endurance Challenge Stables. USA riders, Melody Blittersdorf on Frankie Thunderheart (gate 1), and Jan Worthington on Lepus Granetensis (gate 4) vetted out due to lameness.
The last rider of 72 to finish came in with a ride time of 11:12:27.
The ride offered prize money of $2.6 million to finishing riders and a fleet of cars to the top riders.
Full start and finish list:http://dubaiequestrianclub.ae/sites/default/files/SHMCUP.pdf
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