Five-Star Triumph for UAE Riders at World Endurance Championship in Portugal
Mdmar – Lisbon – WAM
UAE riders took center stage at the World Endurance Championship for 8-year-old horses, held today in Barroca d’Alva, Portugal, over a distance of 120 kilometres, with more than 100 riders from 26 countries taking part. The UAE claimed both the individual and team gold medals in a five-star celebration that added another major achievement to the record of UAE sport and equestrianism.
Salem Malhoof Al Ketbi was crowned individual champion aboard Maheeba, while Mansour Saeed Al Faresi finished second aboard Bollio Rembrandt. The UAE team also secured the team gold medal, finishing ahead of France in second place and Spain in third.
UAE riders captured the spotlight during the medal ceremony, which featured the raising of the UAE flag and the playing of the national anthem in celebration of the champion riders, amid applause from spectators attending from Portugal and various countries around the world.
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Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Equestrian Club, said the UAE riders’ achievement and their victory in both the individual and team competitions were the result of the strong support enjoyed by equestrian and endurance sport from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, “the Knight of the Arabs,” as well as his continued attention to UAE riders.
He added that the achievement reflects the global standing reached by UAE endurance riding and confirms the experience of the country’s riders and their ability to continue excelling at the biggest international events. He praised the efforts of the national team members and the technical and administrative teams, as well as their work in a unified team spirit, which led to the UAE flag being raised on the winners’ podium.
Ahmed Al Kaabi, General Manager of the Dubai Equestrian Club and Technical Director of the national team, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, for his support for equestrian sport and endurance racing. He stressed that the latest world-class achievement reflects the UAE riders’ continued readiness for major international events.
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He noted that the working team, led by Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Equestrian Club, was keen to provide all the requirements for success and follow up on the finest details throughout the preparation and participation stages. He pointed out that ideal preparation and the experience of UAE riders contributed to securing victory despite the broad international participation and the strength of the championship.
Trainer Mohammed Al Sebousi dedicated the achievement to the wise leadership and the people of the UAE, stressing that the country’s riders had once again demonstrated their standing among the world’s elite endurance riders.
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He said the championship is one of the strongest world championships for young horses, and that winning both the individual and team gold medals confirms the national team’s readiness for major international events. He noted that the joy was doubled by Maheeba’s victory, as the mare was bred at the stud of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, bringing together the joy of breeding success and the joy of winning the championship.
Individual champion Salem Malhoof Al Ketbi said the ambition of UAE riders is always to compete for first place. He expressed his happiness at winning both the individual and team titles despite the difficulty of the race and the high temperatures, noting that the achievement came after considerable effort and with God’s blessing.
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The champion said Maheeba had shown signs of excellence since last May, demonstrating outstanding capabilities during the preparation period. He noted that she lived up to expectations and delivered a strong performance, while still possessing greater potential to achieve more in her upcoming appearances.
Mansour Saeed Al Faresi dedicated the achievement to the UAE, its leadership and people, stressing that securing first and second place in the individual competition and the team gold medal was the result of the leadership’s support and the availability of a group of elite riders, horses and trainers.
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He said representing the country at a world championship is a great honour for every rider, noting that the race was not easy given the strength of the participating national teams. However, the stature of UAE endurance riding and the experience of its riders contributed to this achievement. He expressed his hope of continuing the run of success in upcoming championships.
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The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain
