Royal riders fail due to injuries

Posted on » Sunday, August 26, 2012

BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team yesterday endured a heart-breaking experience at the FEI World Endurance Horse Ride Championships 2012 at Euston Park near Thetford in the UK.

The Bahraini team made a disheartening start as team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and team member Ahmed Abdulla were out by the first stage.

Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, had to withdraw from the race after his horse Picaflor was injured and failed to pass the veterinary examination at check point.

On the other hand, Abdulla, another prominent Bahraini rider, was injured during the first stage of the championship while Yaqoub Al Hammadi and Abdulrahman Al Saad were also out after the third and fourth stages, respectively.

This left the squad with only three members - Al Khalidiya Stable skipper Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Jaffer Mirza and Abdulrahman Al Zayed - which ended their chances of a podium finish in the team category.

Best

The race started with the six-member Bahraini team lined up with some of the world's best endurance riders competing over six stages.

There were 153 men and women riders from 44 countries competing in the championship.

Participants came from Finland, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Australia, Austria, Belgium,Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Algeria, Argentina, the US, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden Switzerland, Holland, Japan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway and Uruguay.

The ride, which was over 160 kms, featured 38 kms for the first stage, followed by 29 kms for the second. The third stage was over 30 kms, the fourth covered 20 kms, 23 kms for the fifth while the sixth and concluding stage was over 20 kms.

Shaikh Nasser's squad came to the UK hoping to win a podium finish after a two-month training camp in Europe, where they had participated in several endurance rides.

Meanwhile, UAE's Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum picked up what seemed to be a well-deserved victory in the singles event on Madji Du Pont.

Shaikh Mohammed completed the sixth and final stage on top in 43 minutes and 29 seconds, with a 22-km per hour average speed.

The UAE riders stamped authority as Shaikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum and Ali Al Jahouri were second and third, respectively.

Shaikh Mohammed, the Prime Minister and Vice-President of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, also led his squad to retain the world team title for the third time in succession.

The remaining members of the UAE team were Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, sons of Shaikh Mohammed, and Ahmad Belqaizi.

Shaikh Nasser, along with Shaikh Khalid and other Bahrain riders, congratulated Shaikh Mohammed as well as other members of the UAE team on their double victory following the awarding ceremony.

His Majesty King Hamad late last night send a cable congratulating Shaikh Mohammed on winning the FIA World Endurance Horse Ride Championship.

His Majesty also congratulated the UAE team for retaining the team title for the third time in succession.

Mirza claims tough win in Hungary

August 12, 2012

BAHRAIN's Jaffar Mirza yesterday clinched the World Endurance Horse Ride Championship for eight-year-old horse category in Babolna, Hungary.

The Royal Endurance Team member steered Yosko to victory in this challenging 120km ride on the second day of the event, which saw participants from Slovakia, France, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and hosts Hungary.

It was sweet victory for the Bahraini team and their captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khallifa, who clinched the seven-year-old horse category ride held at the same venue on Friday.

The Royal Team are in the final phase of preparations for the FIA World Championship that will take place on August 25 at Euston Park near Thetford in the UK.

Yesterday's event was the last event for the Bahraini team, who have been camping in Europe for the last two months, during which they participated in several rides.

The ride comprised four stages, with the first stage featuring 34kms. The second stage was over 31km, the third 34km while the fourth and final stage was over 21km.

Mirza completed the ride with a total time of five hours, 44 minutes and 15 seconds, and with 21km per hour speed average.

Injury

The remaining team members in the fray were Raed Mahmood, who finished eighth overall, besides Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, who was forced to withdraw in the third stage after his horse suffered an injury.

Mirza was congratulated after the ride by Shaikh Nasser and Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Nasser, the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president, said the Bahrain team have already achieved the aspired goal by competing with a group of prominent riders in this two-day championship.

He noted that Bahrain riders have improved on their skills and overall performance by taking part in a number of endurance rides over the past two months in Europe.

Shaikh Nasser added that his team's continued achievements came as a result of the riders' efforts along with members of the administrative team, who all worked as one family to accomplish these gains for the Kingdom of Bahrain, in general, and to endurance in specific.

Shaikh Nasser added that the team was keen to take advantage of yesterday's ride ahead of the world championships, which will be over 160km.

In the world championships, featuring a total of six stages, riders from 44 countries from all around the globe are due to take part.

Bahrain 2012 World Endurance Championship News

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa praises Royal Endurance Team preparations for World Endurance Championship

25/06/2012

Berlin: June 25 -- (BNA) The Royal Endurance Team Leader HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa emphasized that the Royal Endurance Team has accomplished the objectives for the sake of which the team participated in the Dellingin horse racing in Germany in terms of preparation for the World Endurance Championship due to be conducted in Britain next August.

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa pointed out that the Royal Team has benefitted a lot from its participation under various favorable conditions in terms of training, performance, enthusiasm of riders to win prime positions.

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa added that participation since the start of this season in Europe culminated in many positive results in France, Hamburg and Dellingin, and asserted that Royal Team riders reaped great benefits and learned from the preparations program, and he revealed that the program includes future training and participations.

On the other hand, the Royal Federation chief Shaikh Duaij bin Salman Al Khalifa reiterated that the team has accomplished its objectives from participating in the 160- kilometers distance endurance horse racing event in Dellingin in Germany and praised the Royal Team members for accomplishing remarkable results. Shaikh Duaij bin Salman Al Khalifa pointed out that the successful leadership of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa has brought the Royal Team to remain at the forefront forever.

In compliance with directives from the Royal Endurance Team Leader HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, a number of horse riders shall undergo further training for the team steads next Thursday in Montpellier, France in preparation for upcoming European competitions and international championships.

The Royal Endurance Team was accompanied by a media delegation comprising photographer Hamid Shehab, TV videographer Hamad Dawood, TV videographer Mohammed Al-Qallaf, production technician Hamad Ramadan, commentator Saddam Nasser and coordinator Khalifa Al-Shurooqi. (IY)

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