UAE Silver, Spain Bronze
24 September 2017, Verona, Italy ~ UAE’s teenage Saeed Al Muhairi aboard 8-year-old Rabdan was crowned world champion at the FEI Meydan World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2017, a 120 km ride held at the scenic Parco Giardino Sigurtà in Verona, Italy, on 23 September 2017.
UAE rider Ghanim Al Owaisi and his mare Shadeedah finished second about five minutes behind the leader averaging a speed of just under 24 kms per hour, while Spanish rider Maite Ledo riding Qualif du Poncelet claimed bronze after stopping the clock at 05:08:01.
The 14-year-old winner was the standout performer in a field of 93 runners from 15 teams representing 32 countries, with a winning time of 04:58:41 at an average speed of 24.21 kms per hour.
A total of 55 riders finished the four loop ride, with Al Muhairi leading the pack in three. At the end of the first loop of 38 kms, the UAE teenager finished in top position, then dropped to third in the second loop of 33 kms, but regained the lead in the 3rd and 4th loops which were 27.5km and 22 km respectively.
This was the 17th career start for Al Muhairi and 11th in Europe this summer where the UAE rider has been preparing hard for the World Endurance Championships. Riding for the M7 Endurance stables, Al Muhairi has stacked up three wins in CEIYJ2* events in Europe leading up to Verona, the most recent coming on 2 September at Euston Park.
Speaking later Al Muhairi said “The ride was very difficult, and there was unprecedented competition among the best young horsemen and the best trained horses in the world. The final loop was the most difficult, and yet Rabdan my horse performed exceptionally well, this is a tribute to him being a really strong horse, as well as a reflection that he received the best direction and guidance from trainer Mohammed Al-Sabousi. “
FEI ENDURANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR YOUNG RIDERS & JUNIORS 2017
The UAE claimed gold in the team event as well, with Spain taking Silver and Qatar with bronze.
CATEGORYCH-M-YJ-E DISTANCE120 km
RUNNERS:93
FINISHERS:55
ELIMINATED: 38
1. UAE RABDAN, AEED SALEM ATIQ KHAMIS ALMUHAIRI Ride Time: 04:58:41 Avg. Speed: 24.21 kph
2. UAE SHADEEDAH, GHANIM SAID SALIM AL OWAISI, Ride Time: 05:03:13
3. ESP QUALIF DU PONCELET, MAITE PRADERA LEDO, Ride Time: 05:08:01
Spain finished three in the top 10
France finished four
17. FRA RHIAL CABIRAT, MORGANE LAFAURE
18. FRA ZOUKIRA DU VIVARAIS, LEA VANDEKERCKHOVE
19. FRA VULCAIN DE FLAUZINS, LILOU TOMAS ARNAUD
24. FRA TENTATION DES DU, CAMILLE COULOMB
USA finished three
49. USA PRINCESS DEELITES MHF, AINSLEY SUSKEY, Ride Time: 07:40:32 Avg Speed: 16.98 kph
53. USA WALLACE HILL LEO, ANNIE WHELAN, Ride Time: 08:16:38 Avg Speed: 14.56 kph
54. USA HK KRUIZER, RAGAN KELLY, Ride Time: 08:16:38 Avg Speed: 14.56 kph
Eliminated at lasp loop
USA SYNTHETIC, KATELYN BALDINO at 06:23:39
Full finish: http://www.tawqeet.ae/ride?date=Saturday,%20September%2023,%202017&id=12020170923&distance=120Km&category=-
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