Via DRC
The Meydan Group and Azizi Development sponsored third running of Toscana Endurance Lifestyle came to a close on Sunday with UAE riders topping the charts winning the CEI2* 120km, CEIYJ2* 120 km and the CEI2* Ladies 120 km rides, while finishing amongst the top three in the other two rides of the Italian Leg of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Festival, namely the CEI3* 160 km and the CEI1* 81 km.
The two day festival took place across July 15 and 16, 2017 and was held at the magnificent San Rossore Estate and racetrack. On the first day, three events were scheduled with UAE riders grabbing top spot in two. The winner of the CEIYJ2* 120 km ride was the UAE’s up and coming rider Hamdan Ahmad Mohd Al Marri, who successfully defended his tile, having won here last year as well. The teenager announced his form earlier this year, when he won the prestigious Gamilati Cup in Dubai.
Alia Ahmad Mohd Al Saboori aboard Za’amah aced the CEI2* Ladies 120 km held on Day 1 as well, with compatriot Ayesha Darwish Ahmed Al Romaithi coming in third in the same ride, aboard Quetzal Arvorig.
The third ride on Day 1 of the HH Endurance Cup Festival in Italy was won by an entry from India, Ugam Singh Bairisal Singh aboard Magic Glenn Avelina, and victorious in the CEI1* 81 km ride. UAE rider Essa Salem Khamis Al Shair coming in second.
Day 2 featured two key rides, the CEI2* 120 km, and the CEI3* 160 km. The 2* event saw UAE’s Mansour Saeed Mohd Al Faresi on board Magic Glenn Tayla taking home the trophy in the prestigious event, in fact the top six finishers in the ride were from the UAE reflecting the growing standard of the sport in the country.
The CEI 3* 160 km event went to Algerian rider Mohammad Aida aboard Tahar Du Barthas the pair began slowly, finishing the first of six loops in tenth place, but as the ride progressed, they made their way towards the top of the group finally winning the title.
UAE rider Hamad Obaid Rashed Al Kaabi from the MRM stables, gave Aida a brave fight in the final moments of the race, to come in a close second.
The Toscana Endurance Lifestyle was given a major boost with the announcement of a record prize money fund of close to 1,000,000 euros, drawing an unprecedented 500 entries from 44 nations, across all continents marking a truly successful third running of the Italian leg of the HH Endurance Cup Festival.
Brigadier Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, General Manager, Dubai Equestrian Club said he was greatly encouraged by the positive outcome “We are inspired by the remarkable success of the third running of the HH Endurance Cup Festival as part of Toscana Endurance Lifestyle, and we are confident we will be able to continue to build and grow this competition in years to come.
“In keeping with the vision of and support from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, our main objective is to provide UAE riders greater international exposure, and build the sport locally and internationally.
“With a record number of entries this year, we can see competitors are keen to participate in this prestigious event, and moving forward, it is a great motivation for us to develop this platform further.”
The festival draws its inspiration from the patronage and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.