The final round of the HH Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Challenge held at the Alasayel Endurance village today has been hailed as a hugely successful event. The three part series consisted of three 100km CEI 2* events and was open to Ladies only. It is the second year the expanding Endurance Village has hosted the Challenge. This year’s Challenge had been sponsored by Hydra Properties, a company showing more and more interest in the ever expanding sport of Endurance. This interest has been highlighted by the recent news that Hydra Properties are to be the sponsors of the FEI’s Endurance Educational Programme over the next two years.The winner of today’s round was Shamsah Awad Al Otaiba (UAE) in a stunning ride having shaved just three seconds off the World Record time from Round II. She partnered her mount, Yaraandoo Jakara Silver, from Alasyel Stable, to prime position over home turf, in a time of 03:49:10. This talented grey gelding has successfully completed every round of this year’s Ladies Challenge. Round II saw the same combination finish in 5th position, and Round I saw the gelding finish 8th accompanied by UAE based endurance vet Dr Martha Mary Mischeff.
In second place was another UAE rider Reem Shaban Ibrahim Hasan from Al Reef stables. She was riding the 10 year old bay gelding Al Galahn. Al Galahn had previously finished 4th in Round II of the Challenge but with a different rider. This Australian bred Arabian has already performed well for Al Reef stables. Last year he finished 3rd over 120km with head trainer Yousif Ahmed Al Bloushi, and in December last year finished 3rd with Omair Husain Abdullah Al Bloushi in the CEIYJ 2* in Boudthib.
The final podium position was taken by Dana Ahmed Al Mansoor (UAE) riding Miss Saigon, also from Al Reef Stables. The combination crossed the line just under 10 minutes after the winner. Despite starting in all three rounds of the Challenge this was the first time Al Mansoor had been able to secure herself a finishing position. Miss Saigon, a 12 year old chestnut mare, claimed a return to the podium having previously clinched a 1st place in the CEIYJ 2* in Al Wathba with Sultan Ahmed Al Bloushi in November 2005.
The overall winner of the HH Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Challenge sponsored by Hydra Properties was Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi with a total of 310 points. She gained a 50 point bonus having started and finished in all three of the rounds. Officials were pleased with the controlled and professional riding style of the Ladies. Concerns had been expressed over parts of the course, including the finish, for the last 2 rounds. However, the OC had done well, and had improved the route and finish considerably for this final round.
Mr John Robertson, Foreign Judge representative on the Ground Jury, said he thought the ride had been very successful. The trail had been altered to make the most of the ground for the Final, the weather conditions were good, and he was impressed at the higher than average completion rate.