Abu Dhabi: UAE’s march at the Italian Endurance Festival 2015 in Verona, continued when Saeed Mohammad Khalifa Al Mehairbi on Za’amah won the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup 100 kms ride on Sunday. The women’s team picked up bronze behind France and hosts Italy in the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Cup.
Earlier, Saif Ahmad Al Mazroui hoped he had done his country proud by winning the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival-sponsored FEI World Championship for Young Horses on Saturday.
Al Mazroui found an able ally in the Esmail Mohammad-trained Descarado to complete the challenging course adjoining the Carda River in Sequrta Park in a time of five hours, 26 minutes and 56 seconds. “I led right from the start and that was because I knew the horse well” he said. “The last time I rode it here in Italy a few months ago I finished second in an 80-km event and today he was in perfect condition even though it was a bit hot.
“This is a World Championship and I am happy I did my country proud,” added Al Mazroui, who has made a named for himself by winning top rides in the UAE.
“This is a young horse and has been gradually improving and Saif Ahmad Al Mazroui is one of the most promising young riders in the UAE endurance trainer Mohammad. I was confident of a good show and I am very happy for Descarado.”
Twelve months ago Mohammad also saddled Tiswan Figeole, the winner in last year’s FEI World Championship for Young Horses held in Samorin, Slovakia.
Saif Salem Al Faresi, who was aboard Tiswan Figeole in 2014 came close to making it to the podium this year fell short despite a good effort with Une De Miel, also trained by Mohammad for the MRM Stables.
Two Spanish riders Alex Luque Moral on Surena MB and Jordi Pons Serra on Cata De Montfluq took silver and bronze while the loudest cheers came when Italians Camila Malta on Barbaforte Bosana and Camille Coulomb on Sharon De Suleiman took fourth and fifth spots respectively. A total of 73 riders started in the 120-km ride which was run in four stages and only 29 completed.
Saqr Nasser Ahmad Al Raisi, the UAE Ambassador to Italy, Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Dr Abdullah Al Reyes, Director-General of the UAE National Archives, Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi-Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Sultan Zakaria Aouda-National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC, Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the Shaikh Mansour Festival, along with top Italian officials, attended the ride.
