The UAE retained their FEI European Championship Open titles in endurance riding by claiming individual gold medal in the Portugal 2007 Qatar Challenge. UAE rider Mubarak Khalifa Al Shafya rode Zakah Zahara to good finish to win the first place in the 160-km ride, which was held at Alcochete on Saturday, September 8, 2007.
© Al Bayan
Though Sultan bin Sulayem crossed the finish line first, unfortunately his horse Nashmi failed to clear the vet check and was disqualified.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and the Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was present at the venue to give a boost to the UAE riders.
Reigning champion Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, finished fifth on board 11-year-old Kaysand Farrazah.
The UAE had an excellent start with wonderful weather helping them in their stride. Their chances of retaining the Team Gold became bleak when Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's horse Spenda Cresta Karnouflage was disqualified.
© Al Bayan
A series of minor mishaps added to the UAE loss. Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's horse Kevin De Narthou slipped and fell and Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's horse was eliminated in the fifth loop.
At one time, the UAE was all set the be the team champions and were close to claiming the top six places but the horse ridden by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum lost one of its shoes and considerable amount of time was wasted to replace the shoe.
Second place in the Championship went to the French rider Jean Phillipe Francas while the Dubai-based Spanish couple Jaume Punti Dachs and Maria Alvarez finished third and fourth respectively.
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