Dubai: Saeed Hamoud Saeed Al Khayari led a UAE sweep of the top four places in the CEI** 120km Endurance Ride, one of the highlights of the 2017 Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Great Park in England.
Held annually since 1943 at Windsor Great Park, the event is the only one in the UK to host international competition for dressage, show jumping, carriage driving and endurance riding.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the final day’s competition where he met Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa of Bahrain were also present on the occasion.
Shaikh Mohammad meets Queen Elizabeth.
Shaikh Mohammad discussed the historical ties of friendship and cooperation between the UAE and the UK on all levels.
He also stressed the UAE’s comittment to participate in equestrian events that take place in England, particularly the Windsor Royal Endurance Race, one of the most prominent festivals on the world endurance calendar.
Shaikh Mohammad also praised the outstanding performance of the Emirati riders in the face of some stiff competition from top riders from around the world.
The 120km ride, which was held over four legs, was contested by eight riders representing the UAE.
Riding the seven-year-old chestnut gelding, Dahi, Al Khayari won the race in 4 hours 47.48 minutes.
He was followed by Saeed Mohammad Khalifa Al Muhairi riding Za’Amah, who completed the race in four hours and 47.49 minutes.
In third place was Abdullah Ghanim Al Marri riding Tom Jones who completed the race in four hours and 47,50 minutes. Mansour Saeed Mohammad Al Faresi riding Oued El Kebir got fourth postion in four hours and 47.51 minutes.
UAE’s Saif Ahmad Al Mazrouei won the ride last year.
