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It was a red letter Day for young Yousuf Ahmed Al Bloushi
whose long-cherished dream was fulfilled when he became the
first rider to finish the 160-km HH The President of the
United Arab Emirates Endurance Cup on Saturday, February 14,
2009, at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al
Wathba, Abu Dhabi. He was riding Charlandre El Sharif,
12-year-old Chestnut Gelding from Al Reef Stables and
completed the six-phased ride in 6:30:53 secs riding on an
average speed on 24.56 kmph. Ahmed had earlier finished twice
in third positions in the same event. |
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What doubled his happiness was when his cousin Omair
Hussain Abdullah finished second making it a memorable 1-2
finish. Omair partnered 11-year-old Pure-bred Arabian Chestnut
Gelding Silversprings Kabir Arwa, also from Al Reef Stables,
owned by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Omair clocked
just a second more at 6:30:54 but the average riding speed was
the same as that of Ahmed.
Third place went to Naser Al Marzouqi from Al Asafa Stables
who was astride Kaysand Farnazan, a 12-year-old Pure-Arabian
grey gelding. His timing was 6:33:54 seconds and average speed
recorded was 24.37 kmph.
Unfortunately earlier winners of President's Cup Sheikh Hamdan
bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Khaled bin Sultan
bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Abdullah Khamis Ali Saeed failed to
complete the ride.
The 160-km endurance, which was run in six phases of 34 km, 32
km, 30 km, 24 km, 24 km and 16 km respectively had a field of
76 entries and 30 riders completed the distance successfully.
The President's Cup, which had its 10th running this offered
fur 4WD cars and Dh1.5 million in rewards. The Ride was
generously sponsored the Breeding Stables in Normandy, France
owned by Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of
Presidential Affairs, Hydra Properties and Al Awani
Enterprises.
Yousuf received a golden sword, a 4WD car and Dh 250,000 and
Omair received a silver sword, a 4WD car and Dh 200,000.
Nasser Al Marzouki also received the keys to a 4WD car and a
share in the prize money.
Reigning world endurance Champion Spanish rider Maria Alvarez
Ponton, finished eighth riding EO Fawati, Pure-bred Arabian
grey gelding from Emirates Stables. Her timing was 7:13:37
seconds and average recorded speed was 22.14 kmph
TOP TEN RESULTS:
1. Yousef Ahmed Al Bloushi, Charlandre El Sharif, Al Reef
Stables, 6:30.53 seconds; 2. Omair Husain Al Bloushi,
Silversprings Kabir Arwa, Al Reef Stables, 6:30.54; 3.Naser Al
Marzouki, Kaysand Farrazah, Al Asafa Stables, 6:33.54; 4. Ali
Mohammad Al Muhairi, Sudan, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, 6:36.05; 5. Bader Ali Al Kayoumi, Silvina, Sheikh
Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 6:51.08; 6. Salem Rashed bin
Ghadeyar, Sas Alevis, Fazoa Endurance Team, 6:55:22; 7. Sultan
Ahmed Al Bloushi, Rivendall Sharman, Al Reef Stables, 7:10:34;
8. Maria Alvarez Ponton, EO Fawati, 7:13:37: 9. Sheikh Abdul
bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Castlebar Sobia, 7:15:34; 10. Dhahi
Abdullah Khamis Al Dhahi, Kohinoor de Crouz, 7:19:04. |
