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Beating all opponents, the UAE
team won the individual gold and bronze medals.
The team also created history by becoming the
first quarter of brothers to be in a gold-medal
winning team. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Essa
Al Khalifa clinched the second place and won the
silver for Bahrain, and UAE rider Sultan bin Sulayem
finished in the third place to bag the Bronze.
The six-member UAE endurance
team comprised Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum,
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Sheikh
Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Majid bin
Mohammed Al Maktoum, Sultan bin Sulayem and Ali
Mohammed Al Muhairi.
Sheikh Rashid finished the ride
in 5 hours 45 minutes and 49 seconds riding nine-year-old
gelding Magic Touch (Nashmi). Sultan bin Sulayem
clocked 5 hours 51 minutes and 39 seconds riding10-year-old
mare Iknour De La Bire
On the ride day, the UAE team
had to be contend with only five riders as only
five horses were available after the disqualification
of Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi's horse on the previous
day.
Sheikh Hamdan's horse was eliminated
at the end of the second vet gate. Sheikh Ahmed,
riding ten-year-old gelding Kamel Armour finished
in the eighth place riding on an average speed
of 18.24 kmph in a time of six hours, 34 minutes
and 44 seconds
Sheikh Majid clinched the ninth
place in the championship riding 14-year old gelding
Muneef.
The three brothers, Sheikh Rashid,
Sheikh Ahmed and Sheikh Majid, came in with a
riding time of 18 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds
for the 120 km to win the Team Gold.
UAE Prime Minister and Vice
President and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, himself an accomplished
rider, was present ahead of the ride, to boost
the morale of the UAE team. On the successful
completion of the ride, HH Sheikh Mohammed presented
the Gold medal to the team.
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