26 March 2002
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum claims victory in the World Cup endurance ride
Two stars of the future emerged from the Dubai desert to conquer a world-class field in the 130km FEI/UAE World Cup endurance ride.
World junior champion Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum produced a dazzling performance with a new ride, his father Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Muneef, to clinch the race in a stunning 5hr 24min 57sec at an average speed of 24km per hour.
Muneef, who was 11th place at the first vetgate and completed the last loop at 37.33kmh, will undoubtedly be a candidate for the World Equestrian Games.
Sheikh Hamdan’s younger brother Sheikh Ahmed, the other new face to watch at this level, was a close second on Florida-bred grey, Southern Exposure. Long-time front-runners Mohammed Ali Al Shafar and ZT Kiavrelle were third.
Best of theBritish
The first British rider home in a time of 7hr 4min 51secs, was 20-year-old Katie Smith, daughter of trainer Bill Smith. Katie became the first rider to complete the event twice on the same horse, taking 24th place withSheikh Mohammed’s Australian-bred Aloha Kruger.
British European Championship team member Beccy Broughton cemented her place as one of the country’s top combinations with her stallion Murmansk, claiming 26th place at an average speed of 17.86km/hr. She finished just one second ahead of fellow British rider UAE-based Alison Buckley and Epiri.
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