Young Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri on Leo won the Sheikh Mohammed bin Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for Priv ate Owned Horses at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi.

The 14-year-old had earlier won a 100-km ride on the same horse and had also won the President’s Cup for Juniors.

Khalifa and Leo completed the 100-km ride in a time of three hours and 41 minutes. Rashed Saeed Al Kamda on Ex Caliber was second while Saeed Ahmad Jaber Al Harthi on Rowallan Simon was third.

The winner got a car while all the riders who completed got a share of Dh 350,000 in the ride organized by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festiva l.

“I am very happy with this victory which I give to my father. I followed his instructions,” Khalifa said after his win. His father Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri is a national team rider and trainer of endurance horses.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikha Fatima Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, director general of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Lara Sawaya, director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival and Head of IFAHR Ladies Racing and Saif Al Awani, managing director of Al Awani gave away the trophies.

“We had hundreds of young children who attended the ride and took part in many events mainly aimed for boys between 6yrs to 8 yrs.,” said Ms Lara Sawaya. Prizes were also given to children who attended the event with the venue being concerted in to a ‘Mohammed Football Wathbaland’.

“Five kids were awarded two Emirates airline tickets for them to be accompanied by an adult each to watch AC Milan, a club sponsored by Emirates, play a game in Milan, Italy. They will be staying at the ‘Four Seasons’ Hotel in Milan and will get to meet the star players of the club and enjoy the facilities there,” she said.

The Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Festival will see over 150 horses compete in the 120-km Two Star ride on Saturday. The winner will get a car while all those who finish the ride will get a slice of the Dh 400,000 on offer.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as the official carrier and sponsored by Invest AD, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Mauzan, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the HH Sheik ha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2013, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Results (Top 5)

1. Khalifa Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri (Leo)3 hrs 41 mins ;
2. Rashed Saeed Al Kamda (Ex Caliber)3:49.36 secs
3. Saeed Ahmed Jaber Al Harthi (Rowallan Simon) 3:51.26;
4. Abdulla Mubarak Al Khaili (Raheeb) 3:52.34;
5. Ahmed Ali Hassan Al Marzouqi (Baraka Amali)3:53.59;