Today's Edition
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)
Al Mugheer were crowned champions of the Private Stables ride on the second day of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival at Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Al Salam on Wednesday after Mohammed Al Ameemi and his mount Zeus FF managed to script a narrow six-second victory in the 120-kilometre competition.
Emirati rider Al Ameemi and his nine-year-old partner navigated the four-loop event in four hours, 30 minutes and 38 seconds (4:30.38), having dominated the second half of the event.
The pair seized the lead at the half-way mark of the competition to win from second-placed compatriot Mohamed Al Hammadi and First Du Puy. The Alfawaris Private Stables representatives gave hot pursuit but fell short by six seconds.
Lebanon’s Aya Ali Akkoumi and At Dial Range Sharjah, riding for Al Khayool Private Stables, were placed third with a time of 4:31:11.
After the event got under way, the SM Private Stables pairing of Eisa Hamoud Alkhayari and Cadete TB flexed their muscles and took top spot on the leaderboard with a brisk start during the first loop spanning 40km.
The pair were, however, disqualified at the end of the second loop over 35km after Cadete TB was declared unfit to compete further following gait issues. That witnessed the lead passing on to Uruguayan rider Federico Ferber, who partnered Al Ain Endurance Stables’ HC Nael.
A further amendment took place and the lead changed hands for the second – and final – time when Al Ameemi took charge during the course of the third loop spanning 25km. Al Ameemi started the day in fourth and had moved up one place during the second loop and climbed a further two spots during the second loop to seize the initiative going into the final loop over 20km.
And both he and Zeus FF showed much resilience to thwart challenges from their opponents and win the race, which carried a unique incentive to encourage Emirati breeding of endurance horses.
Al Mugheer Private Stables’ victory follows Milena Mendez’s success in the Ladies Ride on Tuesday.
