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National Guard Endurance Champoinoship
Images by Osama
Bahrain National Guard Endurance Championship
Ghazi al Dossayr and Jelham
First to Finish - Photo by Osama
More than 100 riders from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia competed it out in this prestigious event which featured 120km five-stage races open for junior and senior riders.
The first and second stages will cover 30km each, 25km for the third stage, 20km for the fourth and 15km for the fifth.
In the senior race, Royal Endurance Team rider Al Dossary steered Jelham to a first-place finish with a total ride time of five hours, 21 minutes and 50 seconds. Behind him was Bader Al Fard (5:25:37) from Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Stable who came second while Mohammed Al Shimmiri (5:25:11), also of the Kingdom Stable, took third place award. Fourth place was won by Mohammed Al Thawadi of the Royal Endurance team, followed by Yousef Isa of Al Asayel Stable in fifth placewhile Al Fateh Stable's Isa Buhazza was sixth.
Al Khatry followed suit, winning the junior race on Hamrek in 5:45:01 hours. Second place went to Saud Al Zo'bi (5:45:56) of Al Mughairat Stable and third was Mohammed Al Thawadi (6:00:49), also of Al Asayel Stable.
This prestigious event also featured two qualifying races over 60km and 80km. These warm-up races mostly attract young riders seeking experience for major events in the future. The championship, which was the second endurance event of the endurance season, was held under the patronage of National Guard Commander Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa.
It was attended by Shaikh Mohammed's son, Shaikh Salman, who honoured the winners in each race. Shaikh Salman also witnessed the championship from the beginning and flagged off the race. The event was also witnessed by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and federation's first vice-president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Both Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid congratulated the winners in each race and wished other success in future competitions.
Riders set for National Guard Endurance race
The championship, which is the second event of the season, will be over 120 kms and is open to senior and junior riders. It will be held under the patronage of National Guard Commander Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Top stables taking part in this event include Al Fateh Stable coached by veteran rider Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa.
Al Fateh Stable will be represented by four riders including Shaikh Salman's daughter Shaikha Najla Al Khalifa who will compete in the junior race.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Khalifa (junior race) and Shaikh Saqer bin Khalid Al Khalifa and Abdulla Al Muawda (senior race) are the other members of the team.
Al Asayel Stable is also entering a strong field led by Khalid Al Khatry. Yousif Isa and Mohammed Al Thawadi are set to take part in the senior race while five riders - Abdulla Al Khatry, Fahad Sulaiman, Abdulrahman Rashid, Khalifa Saad and Mohammed Saif Saifcons Stables are also confident of their riders putting up a good show. This event will also mark Bahrain's National Day and His Majesty King Hamad's accession to the throne.
2008 National Guard Race
Images of the January 2008 National Guard Race
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REGISTRATION is underway today for the National Guard Endurance Horseride Championship to be held on Saturday at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.
Just three days after coming fourth in the first round of the Endurance Horseride Grand Prix held in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa gave his directive to organise the competition.
The championship, which is the second event of the season, will be over 120km and is open to senior and junior riders. It will be held under the patronage of National Guard Commander Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Shaikh Nasser, the Royal Endurance Team captain, highlighted the importance of Saturday's race to be held during Bahrain's National Day celebrations and His Majesty King Hamad's accession to the throne.
The Breef chief said the event will receive full support from Shaikh Mohammed, adding that the backing is a major motivation for the Bahraini riders to take part in the event.
Shaikh Nasser said the federation is capable of ensuring the success of the championship, adding that this year's event will be exceptional with many rising talents expected to be in the fray.
The Breef has approved five stages for the championship, starting with 30km for the first and second stages, 25km for the third, 20km for the fourth and 15km for the fifth.
The championship will also feature two qualifying races over 80km and 60km which are warm-up events for young riders seeking experience.
Veterinary examination for the participating horses is set from 2.30am to 4.30am at the veterinary examination area in Sakhir.
The weight procedures will also be held during the veterinary examination. Riders should not weigh less than 75kg.
The veterinarian and grounds jury committee members have been announced. Carol B. of Britain was named head of the ground jury committee which also includes Ghalib Al Alawi, Haider Al Zu'bi of Jordan and Bahrain's Abdulsamad Al Busta, Mahdi Al Kelaiti, Ali Ghuloom and Fahad Al Rumaihi.
Tunisia's Dr Yasine Al Mo'tamiri is head of the veterinary committee which consists of veterinarians from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, Argentina and Bahrain.
Other endurance events on the Breef calendar will be a 120km Open Championship on January 3 next year, the Breef Women's Championship on January 31 and a 100km Open Championship on February 7.
That will be followed by His Majesty King Hamad Championship for seniors and juniors on March 7, the Crown Prince Championship on April 3 and the Season Ending Championship in the first week of May.
Media Office & Information Center of H.H. Sh.Nasser Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa Tel: +97317756321 Fax: +97317754448 Mobile: +97339955915 P.O.Box:25333,Kingdom of Bahrain Email: rcb149@batelco.com.bh