ARABIAN HORSE INTL ISSUE 1

Arabian Horse Intl Issue 1 - January 2018

2017 Retrospective Interview with

Becky Hart Special 10 years

HH SH Mansoor Festival Arabian Horse Intl

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Issue 1 - January 2018

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Editorial Dear Horse Lovers, RioSlum Productions takes an important step in the expansion of its institutional marketing.

We are launching the first Edition of our Magazine Arabian Horse Intl. Our own magazine!

Having a magazine is an old dream that comes true now. The main mission of Arabian Horse Intl will be present Equestrian Endurance and Arabian Horse Flat Racing to Horse Lovers: breeders, riders, jockeys, veterinarians etc. Also, we will be able to disclose the Endurance Races and Arabian Horse Flat Racing around the world.

So the magazine can meet its goals, we hope to count with the support and collaboration of all those who want to send us articles of events in their countries. We must all be united in order to disclose, advertise and participate in the Arabian Horse Intl Magazine.

This first edition features a retrospective of the major events of 2017, as well as an exclusive interview with Becky Hart, three-time Equestrian Endurance World Champion with the same horse, a special 10-year HH Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Flat Racing Festival, article on Jeane Alves, the first woman to win the 2016-2017 races statistics and thus write her name on Brazilian turf.

Each edition will have a tourist article from a place where endurance races are held and we opted for Sardegna, Italy’s second largest island, when we will have three important events in April.

We hope you enjoy it and have a good reading!

Cidinha FranzĂŁo Publishing Company RioSlum Productions / www.rioslumstudio.com 2800 Quebec St NW, apt 424, Washington, DC

Cover: HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Photo: Cidinha Franzão

Chief Executive: Jesse Grainger Publishers: Cidinha Franzão, Favio Lorenz Editorial Assistant: Nilza Felice Art Directors: Pedro Jovelli, Paulo Alberto Marketing and Advertising: Lucia Furlan Social Media: Priscilla Garcez Photographers: Favio Lorenz, Cidinha Franzão, Morhaf Al Assaf, Porfírio Menezes, Nilza Felice, Giorgio Biffi, François Kerbaul, Leigh Young Contributors: Satya Narayan, Bharathi Gowda, François Kerbaul, Porfírio Menezes

Contact: contact@arabianhorseintl.net

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04 04 Heart of a Champion: Becky Hart Interview

12 FEI World Championship for Juniors and Young Riders, Verona, Italy. Al Muhairi crowned equestrian world junior champion

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20 Sabrina Arnold emerges European Endurance Champion

25 Sabrina Arnold wins World Championship of the Young Horses in Belgium

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Pan American Championship: Uruguay takes all the Gold

36 Nasser Bin Hammad crowns winners of Bahrain National Day Endurance Championship

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Special 10 years HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival One World, Six Continents, Abu Dhabi The Capital

54 US Darley Awards distributed in spectacular fashion

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60 Muraaqib wins Sh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, the world’s richest Arabian race

66 Jeane Alves Makes history in the Brazilian turf

70 400th winner for Festival Ambassador Mullen in style

72 Goup 2 contest opens purebred Arabian action at Meydan

74 Rhondo Rach and Zells Kate win Festival’s Group 3 races

78 UAE’s Faisal Al-Rahmani elected IFHAR chaiman

80 Tourism: Sardegna, 3.000 years on one

island

88 Boudhieb: the revolution goes on

Heart of a Champion Becky Hart is part of a group of women who were born to make history and wrote her name in the history of an equestrian sport, Endurance, that the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI, the international governing body of equestrian sports) recognized as a sporting category for international competitions in 1985. She is one of the most recog 8

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nized names in endurance riding because she is the only endurance rider that won the FEI World Endurance Championship three times in a row and with the same horse, R.O. Grand Sultan (RIO).

By Cidinha Franzão

She has won the FEI World Endurance Championship three times. Becky and her horse, R.O. Grand Sultan (RIO), were inducted into the American Endurance Ride Hall of Fame in 1990. In addition, Becky was the Hertz/AHSA Equestrian of the Year. Becky is a three-time World Champion in endurance racing and an accomplished rider in several disciplines. She currently teaches and gives Centered Riding® and endurance clinics throughout United States, Europe and Japan. Whether you are a new or advanced rider, Becky’s acute observation will guide you to a balanced way of riding.

When my farrier was challenged to do an endurance ride, I offered him my horse, a ¾ Arabian that I used for show. He and the horse finished the ride, and since the horse was fit, I decided I should try a ride. After my first endurance ride, I never went to another horse show.

Becky is as well-known as a speaker, coach, clinician and instructor as she is for her competitive accomplishments. Combining her skills as a USET master rider and Centered Riding instructor!

Name, age and place of birth.

Becky Hart, February 12, 1954, San Jose, CA USA When and why did you start riding?

I started riding at age 6, with riding lessons once a week. My first horse came at age 11.

As a teenager I showed horses in Jumping, English and Western Pleasure and equitation, trail horse, Arabian costume and saddle seat.

Tell us about your first horse.

When I was 11 years old, my parents bought me a Quarter Horse gelding named Tiberon.

He was patient, although certainly had his own opinions. He loved dashing under lowhanging tree branches, and he tested me at first. Tiberon taught me lots especially that I needed to provide clear intention in what I asked of him. During the summer, my cousin and I would ride him from morning till night.

How and when did you know the Endurance?

I first heard about endurance at the stable where I was boarding. The owners did one ride a year and all the boarders came to crew.

The ride was the Castle Rock Ride, one of the first 80K rides in the US.

What about endurance captured your imagination?

The next spring, I entered the Castle Rock Ride with Nusan, and finished 68th - using a Western saddle! Even though I couldn’t walk for three days, just making it to the finish line felt really great. AERC has a saying, “To finish is to win.” My horse was completely happy throughout that ride, and I discovered that I enjoyed going fast, too. It opened up a whole new world for us, and our show days came to a screeching halt.

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What was your greatest experience in Endurance?

I have had so many great experiences. One of the greats was winning the World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, at the first World Equestrian Games. I had to overcome a degenerating disk in my back, 9 months of no riding and extensive physical therapy to prepare. One of the other great experiences was winning the Tevis Cup ride, one of the toughest rides in the world.

How do you prepare yourself for the Endurance race?

I keep myself fit by running with the horse, working out and riding several times a week. I lay everything out – the horse tack, my clothes so nothing is forgotten the day of the ride. I have over 22,000 miles in endurance and have ridden over 40 horses, with 32 of those in the top ten. My body and brain understand what is needed, even when I am not completely fit.

One race has not yet competed and one unforgettable race.

It would have been fun to ride the original Quilty trail in Australia.

The Swanton Pacific was one of my all time favorite trails. I rode that 100 mile ride many times. The unforgettable day was winning the very first FEI North American Championship.

The trail was tough, mountainous. The trail covered chalk ridges, went through redwood forests and went down to the Pacific Ocean. It was a beautiful magical trail.

What was your most challenging endurance ride?

It was in 1992, at the World Endurance Championships in Spain. It wasn’t so much the physical challenge of the 100-mile course, but that so many things went wrong! Rio and I were third into the first vet check, and he was the first horse to recover. But when we trotted out, we could see a rider ahead: Someone had mistakenly let a French rider go too soon.

Friends radioed me that she would be penalized at the next vet check, but that never happened.

Meanwhile, Rio lost a shoe. I put on an Easy Boot, which worked until it somehow came 10

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FEI Wold Endurance Championship August 01, 1990 – Stockholm (Sweden): Becky Hart / RO Grand Sultan – 1st place and Best Condition

off and wrapped itself around his ankle. Fortunately, I had a Leatherman’s tool to cut it off and another Easy Boot to replace it. That took five valuable minutes, and the French rider was even farther ahead. At the next stop, a farrier put on new shoes, and Rio left at a gallop - his sense of humor again!

He worked so hard: over lava fields, through small villages, and past pig farms. We made up lots of time and finally reached the finish line, which was on a big polo field. We entered the field in first place, but because there were groves of shade trees and Rio was bay, people didn’t see us. No one clapped, so I knew my crew hadn’t seen us either. Then, the French rider entered - on a gray horse, which the crowd spotted - and people clapped. It wasn’t until Rio and I were halfway around the field that my crew finally saw us and roared.

At last, they knew that we’d won! It felt great.

On the other hand, Rio liked to go. Early on, there were rocky moments: When the president of AERC looked at Rio, my horse tossed his head and broke the man’s glasses, and later his trainer rejected Rio because he was pigeon-toed.

Our first competition was the Mount Diablo 50-Mile Ride. We went into the first vet check in 60th place, but Rio recovered his normal

Which horse has marked your trajectory, so far, in Endurance?

Two horses: Khazen, Arabian Horse gelding.

He was my first Hall of Fame horse and National Champion. He taught me how to compete, how to feed a horse. One year he did 22 races and won 17 of them.

The other horse, more well known, was R.O. Photos courtesy Becky Hart: Grand Sultan (Rio). He won most of his rides, WEC Photos: Kit Houghton/FEI including two Tevis Cup wins, two Race of Frans Arts Champions, two National Championships and three World Championships. He also won two North American Championships. Rio has pulse and respiration so fast, that we left in over 10,000 miles (16,000K) of competition. 15th place. During that ride, I discovered that His success in endurance took me all over the Rio hated to have horses ahead of him and world. wasn’t satisfied until he was in front. But it was his fast recoveries at our scheduled stops What about one of the most accomplished that gave us a win. It was a big eye opener! and beloved endurance horses ever, RO Grand Sultan, Rio? Some more information about Rio. When Khazen bowed his tendon, I had to find Rio won his first 100 mile ride, a rather impresanother endurance horse. I went to see one sive feat in its own right, even more so, howprospect who’d had some top-10 success in ever, since it was the demanding Tevis Cup. endurance, and the owner said that they’d Rio has 10,195 miles in competition. He has give me a second, untried gelding for free. completed 142 rides and has 72 wins. Rio’s Both went home with me. When I entered the major accomplishments include 2 Tevis wins, experienced horse in a 50-mile ride, he quit at 2 Race of Champions wins, and a reserve, 2 45 miles, and we walked to the finish. At the National Champion wins, and a National Best next ride, again he just quit. So I sold him.

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won 2 North American Championships and a reserve, and 3 World Championships. He is the only horse to have participated in 6 World Championships. His travels have taken him to Italy, Sweden, Spain, France, Germany and Holland.

Rio has shown the world what Arabian horses are capable of doing, and has been recognized for his accomplishments. His special honors include horse of the Year from the International Arabian Horse association, as well as being inducted into the American Endurance Ride Conference Hall of Fame. Rio and Becky were recognized by the Chronicle of the Horse and the Hertz/American Horse Show Association as Equestrian of the Year. In 1997, Rio was awarded the “Perfect 10” award by the American Endurance Ride Conference.

This award is for horses who have competed 10 or more years, gone over 10,000 miles, and at least 10 wins and 10 best conditions.

One of Rio’s more significant achievements was in 1996, at the World Championship in Kansas when he finished 5th and won the coveted Best Condition Award at age 19.

Rio raced until he was 21, then he became my lesson horse. He had a great life. He was 27 when he died of lymphoma.

What titles have you won?

Two US national championships; 1 North American Championship; 3 world championships; USET Master Rider.

Other titles include US Chef d’Equipe (20082010); FEI official – 3*ground jury and 3* chief steward (now retired); US Endurance Hall of Fame; USET/Hertz Equestrian of the Year; Chronicle of the Horse Overall Horseman of the Year Besides Endurance, what do you do? Do you have other activity? Which one?

I teach Centered Riding and mentor new endurance riders. I often do Centered Riding clinics for endurance and trail riders. I love traveling all over the world and North America to help riders find comfort for themselves and their horses.

I am also an independent distributor of the Bemer, I have been using it on myself and 12

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horses. The technology increases circulation and therefore allows more oxygen to the cells.

The horses love it. After a ride I never experience discomfort and my energy is unbelievable.

When I am not teaching or conditioning horses I like to read.

Do you have any superstition when you compete?

I used to always wear lucky opal earrings. No longer. No superstitions any more.

Idols: Endurance and in life.

Julie Suhr and Kathy Perry are two endurance idols that inspired me when I started the sport. They continue to inspire me.

Jaume Punti Dachs and Maria Álvarez Pontón are two more modern day endurance idols.

Sally Swift, who developed Centered Riding, and Mary Fenton, who taught me Centered Riding, changed my life. Linda TellingtonJones was responsible for introducing me to Centered Riding. From her I learned the value of TTouch, which has helped so many animals, including my endurance horses.

Becky Hart won the FEI World Endurance Championship three times with the same horse September 22, 1988 – Front Royal, Virginia (USA): Becky Hart / RO Grand Sultan – 1st place and Best Condition August 01, 1990 – Stockholm (Sweden): Becky Hart / RO Grand Sultan – 1st place and Best Condition September 12, 1992 – Barcelona (Spain): Becky Hart / RO Grand Sultan – 1st place and Best Condition RO Grand Sultan (Rio, Sultan El Shiko X EZ Shariene), 1977- Pure Arabian, Chestnut.

It is one of the best horses of Endurance of all time. Winner of the Tevis Cup in 1984 and from there to finished 142 races and won 72. Only horse that participated in 6 World Championships, winning 3 of them and also the Best Condition Award. At age 19, Rio finished the Kansas World Cup in fifth place and won the best condition.

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Chef d’Equipe at Pan Am in Uruguay: first left with sun glasses

Centered Riding clinics 14

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FEI World Enduran Championship for Juniors & Young R 16

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Al Muhairi crowned equestrian world junior champion The podium of this world championship is an almost totally Arabic speaking one.

UAE is the highest podium winner followed by Spain and Qatar The splendid landscape of Parco Giardino Sigurtà, located on Valeggio sul Mincio, in Verona (Italy) which has become a byword for endurance, has been chosen to host the FEI Meydan World Championship for Juniors & Young Riders, on September 23, and the entire world of equestrian endurance moved to Valeggio sul Mincio.

This was Al Muhairi’s 17th career start and his 11th in Europe this summer, where he has been preparing for the World Championships. The M7 Endurance stables rider picked up three wins in CEIYJ2* events in Europe leading up to Verona, the most recent coming on September 2 at Euston Park.

This beautiful town, close to the famous Shakesperean home of Romeo and Juliet was perfect to endurance horses run along the banks of the rivers Adige and Mincio that gently flow accross the hills towards Valeggio.

“The ride was very difficult, and there was unprecedented competition among the best young horsemen and the best trained horses in the world,” he said.

“The final loop was the most difficult, and yet, Rabdan, my horse performed exceptionally well.

This is tribute to him being a really strong horse, as well as a reflection of the fact he receives the best direction and guidance from trainer Mohammad Al Sabousi.”

At 8.00 in the morning, the beautiful structures of Parco Sigurtà welcomed 93 young riders from 32 countries; who were ready to run the expected FEI Meydan World Endurance Championship for Juniors and Young Riders. This whole day was dedicated to the young ones only, because they are the future of this equestrian discipline. UAE rider Ghanim Al Owaisi and his mare Shadeedah came in second, about five minutes UAE’s teenage Saeed Al Muhairi was crowned behind the leader, with a ride time of 05:03:13 world champion aboard eight-year-old Rabdan and average speed of 23,84 km/h, while Spanat the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) ish rider Maite Ledo riding Qualif du PonceMeydan World Endurance Championships for let claimed bronze after stopping the clock at Young Riders and Juniors in Verona, Italy, on 05:08:01 and with an average speed of 23,47 Saturday. km/h.

The 14-year-old Emirati finished ahead of a field of 93 runners, from 15 teams representing 32 countries over 120-km at the Parco Giardino Sigurta, winning in a time of 4 hours, 58 minutes and 41 seconds at an average speed of 24.21 km/h.

The UAE claimed gold in the team event, with Spain taking Silver and Qatar getting bronze.

The FEI Meydan World Endurance Championships for Young Riders and Juniors, was the highlight of the two-day Meydan sponsored Italia Endurance Festival and had also sponA total of 55 riders finished the four loop ride sored the 2015 running of the FEI World Chamwith Al Muhairi leading the pack in three. pionships for Young Riders and Juniors in Chile, South America, underlining the group’s comAt the end of the first loop, which was 38-km mitment to supporting equestrian sports not long, he finished first but dropped to third on just in Dubai and the UAE but also globally. the second loop, which was 33-km long. However, he regained his lead in the third and fourth loops of 27.5-km and 22-km respectively.

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Gold medal: Saeed Salem Atiq Khamis Almuhairi with Rabdan (UAE) Photo FEI/ Sport EVO press /Oreste Testa and Chiara Gobbetti Arabian Horse Intl

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Silver medal: Ghanim Said Salim Al Owaisi with Shaddedah (UAE) Photo FEI/Sport EVO press - Oreste Testa and Chiara Gobbetti

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Bronze medal: Maite Pradera Ledo with Qualif du Poncelet (Esp) Photo FEI/Sport EVO press - Oreste Testa and Chiara Gobbetti

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INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

TEAM RESULTS 22

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Gold: Saeed Salem Atiq Khamis Al Muhairi / RABDAN (04:58:41 / 24,21 km/h) Silver: Ghanim Said Salim Al Owaisi / SHADEEDAH (05:03:13 / 23,84 km/h) Bronze: Maite Pradera Ledo / QUALIF DU PONCELET (05:08:01 / 23,47 km/h)

Gold: UAE - Total Riding Time 15:11:18 Silver: SPAIN - Total Riding Time 15:30:35 Bronze: QATAR -Total Riding Time 16:14:15

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Sabrina Arnold emerges European Endurance Champion Spain wins Team Gold in HH Sheikh Mansoorsupported championship

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Germany’s Sabrina Arnold won her first endurance ride in 1995 but it took her another 22 years to win her first major international championship and that happened on Thursday, August 17, 2017, in the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival-supported European Championship (CH-EU-E).

Over 80 riders from 23 countries started at 7.00 am and negotiated five stages of 39.5kms, 37.4kms, 32.7kms, 30.3kms and 23.4 kms.

The 160-km Four star ride was held at the at the Bois de la Cambre, an urban public park situated on the edge of the Sonian Forests (which has 200 kms of horse-accessible paths of which half of it is exclusively reserved for

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Team winners: Spain (Gold), Italy (Silver) and Sweden (Bronze) them) in consultation with the forest authori- Soy Coll on Tonik De Becherel finished third ties of the 3 Regions- Flanders, Brussels and in 7:32.42.

Wallonia; and Arnold riding 10-year-old TarziFurther away in fourth place and completing bus made it a start to finish affair. the Spanish domination to win the Team Gold Arnold on Tarzibus, a horse trained by French- was Omar Blanco Rodrigo on Selif De La Nie man Jean-Philippe Frances, staved off the in 7:50.22 while Poland’s Kamila Kart on For Spanish challenge to complete the 160-km Ferro finished fifth in 8:07.20. ride in 7 hours 14 minutes and 52 seconds at While the strong French team failed to iman average speed of 22.53kmph. press, Italy stepped in to take the silver with Strong favourites Maria Alvarez Ponton on their riders Perrine Campanini on Vega du T’aime de Coeur and Jaume Punti Dachs on Clos in 9th place, Constanza Laliscia on Rok Twyst Maison Blanche, both from Spain, made in 14th place and Luca Campagnini on Kida in exits before the finish but that did not stop 19th place garnering the points. the remaining Spanish riders who bagged the next three positions to help their country win Sweden also finished Europe’s biggest endurance competition on a sweet note as they won the Team Gold. their first ever team medal in 17 years when Spain’s Alex Luque Moral on 11-year-old Ca- they took bronze behind Italy. Sara Henrikslandra PH finished behind Arnold in 7:32.41 son on Elopolda finished 10th, Emma Svanaafter countryman and ride favourite Jaume ng on TS Coyote and Anneli Ohlen on Min Punti Dachs on Twyst Maison was eliminated Pontijack and Lena Eriksson on Willy Wonka before the final loop. Another Spaniard Angel finished 26th, 27th and 28th respectively and to26

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Spain�s Alex Luque Moral on Calandra PH and Angel Soy Coll on Tonik De Becherel in second and third place respectively Text: HH SH Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan Photos by Morhaf Al Assaf Arabian Horse Intl

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Team winners celebration gether they helped Sweden to the bronze.

Thursday’s 160-km event saw 68 riders and horses representing 20 countries across Europe. The course consisted of five loops which featured the undulating terrain and sand tracks twisting through ancient beech and oak trees, some of which are up to 200 years old. A total of 33 combinations finished, representing a completion rate of just under 50%.

The German Sabrina Arnold, who had also won last year’s HH Sheikh Mansoor Festivalsupported FEI European Endurance Championships for Young Horses in Negrepelisse (FRA) with the seven-year-old Tsagan Nour, was delighted with her win.

“I’m really thrilled to have won today. My horse has a naturally fast recovery rate and he was incredible,” she said.

“I won the young horse championships last year and I’m hoping to do the same thing again in two days’ time,” said the German who 28

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will be starting in Saturday’s FEI World Championship of the Young Horses (CH-M-E-7Y).

Around 70 riders from 18 countries will battle it out on horses aged seven and under and the 120-km event will also be run over four loops and will bring the curtain down on the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival-supported Brussels Equestrian Endurance Masters (BEEM).

Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of Int’l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and General Manager of Al Wathba Stallions, Mubarak Al Nuaimi-Director of External Promotion at the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Dr. Ahmed Al Qubaisi, Director of Marketing and Communication Department at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, ADEC Director General and Musallam Al Amri, Director of Al Jazira Stables attended the prize ceremonies.

Sabrina Arnold wins World Championship of the Young Horses in Belgium

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Germany’s Sabrina Arnold made the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival-supported three-day Brussels Equestrian Endurance Masters (BEEM) at the Bois de la Cambre in Sonian Forests in the Belgian capital of Brussels her very own.

Young Horses in Negrepelisse (FRA) with the seven-year-old Tsagan Nour.

In Saturday’s ride, Arnold and Tammam La Lizonne were third after the first loop and after that led all the way to win the 120-km ride in 6 hours eight minutes and 50 seconds. The next four spots in the top five went to riders On Thursday’s opening day she won the 160- from four different countries with Elisabeth km Four-star European Championship (CH- Hardy of Belgium riding Aduir Folie doing the EU-E) endurance ride and then closed Satur- hosts proud by finishing second in 6:17.41. day’s final day (August 19, 2017) with another dominating performance to win the 120-km Portugal’s Ana Barbas on Fuico, Estonia’s Keiu FEI World Championship of the Young Horses Oras on Penelope and French rider Alexis Terral on Sky Kid took the next three spots in the (CH-M-E-7Y), on August 19. ride which ended up with 12 riders completThe 37-year-old German who is based in ing on their horses aged seven and under.

France steered Tammam La Lizonne, a 7-yearold bay mare, to a superb win in the 120-km HE Abdulla Al Marzouki, Second Secretaevent and proved that she is an expert with ry and representative of the UAE Embayoung horses. Last year Arnold had also won ssy in the Kingdom of Belgium, Ms. Lara the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival-supported Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sh FEI European Endurance Championships for

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Gold: Sabrina Arnold on Tammam La Lizonne (Germany) Silver: Elisabeth Hardy on Aduir Folie (Belgium) Bronze: Ana Barbas on Fuico (Portugal)

Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Musallam Al Ameri, Director of Al Jazira 1 & 2 Stables and Ahmed Al Qubaisi, Director of Marketing and Communication at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, gave away trophies to the winners.

Ms Sawaya congratulated all the winners, particularly the women riders. “The success of the women riders reflects the positive growth of equestrian events. This is the second year we are in Belgium taking part in the BEEM and we are very happy with the outcome.”

Officials of the Belgian Royal Equestrian Sports Federation (FRBSE-KBRSF) and the European Horse Centre of Mont-le-Soie, who were the main organisers of the three-day event thanked HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs for the Festival’s support.

Text: HH SH Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan Photos by Morhaf Al Assaf

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Pan American Championship: Uruguay takes all the Gold Uruguay gets all four gold medals: Individual Senior; Team Senior; Young Rider Individual and Team Young Rider

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The Pan American Championship being held every two years reunites the power endurance nations of the region like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala and Uruguay. It was the first time that this championship took place in Punta del Este, on Thursday 12 October 2017.

the team gold was Maria Pereira who was riding Amarillo HLM, the 2013 Pan American Endurance Champion.

The senior category was won by Isha Judd (URU) riding JQ Zarial. This horse raced to fifth place in the last World Endurance Championship in Slovakia.

ing the race with her teammates from Uruguay. Two of them were out after the second loop at the vet check. This was a difficult moment for the rest of the team because it compromised the team gold medal. Valentina continued in the top position and maintained a good speed, followed by Teresa Sanchez (Uruguay) and Trinidad Mendez (Argentina).

Valentina pushed her stallion to the limit and was impossible for the others to catch her.

The Best Condition Award in senior category was for the Brazilian horse Caetê CSM.

In the Young Rider Category the winner ValenThe 120km were divided into 4 stages of tina Mendez, Uruguay, riding AS Mister made 39.6km, 28.7km, 28.7km and last loop of it at an average speed of 26.09km/h which is 23km. We witnessed some very intense rac- a new track record. ing in both categories.

In the first loop the eventual winner was lead-

Jonatan Rivera (URU) riding El Sheik led the race from the first loop. Along with team mate Isha Judd they were fighting against Monica Pinto Lima Graziano, from Brazil, riding Caetê CSM who was also pushing to get the gold. In the last loop Isha and Jonatan increased the pace to 27km.h to finally arrive hand in hand. The gold medal winner commented: “The Unfortunately Jonatan’s horse failed with race was a very difficult, the track was hard and dangerous; and I never went slower than metabolic at the last vet control.

26 km/h. It was a tremendous challenge for Isha told us: “Is the first time that I win a big the whole team. This track for me is the one race and till the last moment it was far from that demands the most from both the horse certain. I trust very much in the capacity my and the rider, but AS Mister showed us all his mare, JQ Zarial. She is a real champion and greatness running at an average speed of she is prepared well by Fernanda Villar and 26km/h. In the last loop we went to 32km/h, I Federico Zubiaurre, and to the point where only have words of profound gratitude for all her fitness level is so strong that I know she Uruguayans, for all those who supported me would never stop. It was wonderful for me to and trusted both AS Mister and me. I am very cross the line with Joni (Jonatan Rivera), we proud and happy to have a horse like this, and are always together in these big events and I want to give a special thanks to Saul and I was sad when his horse did not pass. After Nestor Silva who take care of Mister each day.

Pilar Saravia (Uruguay) finished it was a relief, “ and when the grand champion Amarillo HLM did his last trot, it was confirmed Uruguay ob- Teresa Sanchez riding the top mare LG tained gold. My mare, JQ Zarial will now have Muneerah got the silver medal; mare who was fighting for top position for Uruguay in the big holiday which she really deserves.”

World Endurance Championship in Slovakia Isha & JQ Zarial from Uruguay took the Gold last year with Jonatan Rivera but was elimimedal, Monica Pinto Lima Graziano from Bra- nated at the final vet check. zil took Silver and the bronze medal went to Trinidad Mendez, from Argentina, arrived Maxi Wimmer and EO Salma from Chile. in third position but her horse VS Amancay Uruguay got the team gold medal thanks didn’t pass in the final vet inspection and Joato the fourth position of Pilar Saravia riding quin Stirling riding LG Chichone, who crossed Baraka Nasim. 15 years-old Pilar is leading the the finish line in fourth place, took bronze Senior FEI Ranking. The third entry to secure medal.

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It was a full Uruguayan podium and obviously got the team gold medal. Silver medal went to Chile who qualified three horses and bronze for Brazil who qualified four horses.

The Best Condition award for Young Rider was for Uruguayan horse AS Mister.

SENIOR INDIVIDUAL RESULTS Gold: Isha Judd on JQ Zarial 07:13:10 and 24,09 km/h Silver: Mônica Pinto Lima Graziano on Caetê CSM 07:14:47 and 23,72 km/h Bronze: Maxi Wimmer on EO Salma 07:32:55 and 22,44 km/h

YOUNG RIDERS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS Gold: Valentina Mendez on AS Mister 06:49:48 and 26,09 km/h Silver: Teresa Sanchez on LG Muneerah 06:58:36 and 25,27 km/h Bronze: Joaquin Stirling on LG Chichone 07:25:51 and 23,19 km/h

TEAM SENIOR RESULTS Gold: URUGUAY – Riding Time 15:55:03 Silver: BRAZIL – Riding Time 16:11:11 Bronze: ARGENTINA – Riding Time 16:20:18

YOUNG RIDERS TEAM RESULTS Gold: URUGUAY – Riding Time 14:31:18 Silver: CHILE – Riding Time 17:05:34 Bronze: BRAZIL – Riding Time 17:19:52

Maxi Wimmer on EO Salma Bronze Individual Senior

Text: Lucia Olascoaga Photos: Cidinha Franzão, Lucia Olascoaga and Willian Mesa 34

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MĂ´nica Pinto Lima Graziano on CaetĂŞ CSM Silver Individual and Best Condition

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Valentina Mendez on AS Mister Gold Young Rider and Best Condition 36

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Teresa Sanchez on LG Muneerah Silver Young Rider

Joaquim Stirling on LG Chichone Bronze Young Rider

Young Riders Individual Podium Teresa Sanchez (Silver), Valentina Mendez (Gold) and Joaquin Stirling (Bronze) Arabian Horse Intl

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Senior Individual Winners Monica P.L. Graziano (Silver), Isha Judd (Gold) and Maxi Wimmer (Bronze)

Team Senior Winners Brazil (Silver), Uruguay (Gold) and Argentina (Bronze) 38

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Team Young Riders Winners Chile (Silver), Uruguay (Gold) and Brazil (Bronze)

Best Condition Semior Winner CaetĂŞ CSM,Brazil Arabian Horse Intl

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Nasser Bin Hamad crowns winners of Bahr

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, underscored that Bahrain National Day Endurance Championship witnessed extraordinary success thanks to the strong competition featured throughout the event, with a long list of domestic and UAE-based participants taking part in the contest. HH Shaikh Nasser hailed the performances of the competitors during the event, 40

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congratulating the winners of the top places.

The National Day Endurance Ride Championship was held on 15&16 December in the Bahrain International Endurance Village, and was composed of four races: FEI CEI 2* 120KM, FEI CEI 1* 80KM, CEN 80KM and CEN 40KM. It’s worth noting that Fahad Al Khatiri, riding WH Picos Shazam of Victorious team has won the Championship after clocking 4.21:30 hours at a speed of 27 km/h, followed by Khalid Ibrahim, riding Plage El Milora, of Al Zaeem,

rain National Day Endurance Championship

who completed the race in 4.34:50 hours and averaging 26,19 km/h. In third place came Saeed Al Muhairi of UAE, mounting Emir De Tannes, after posting a time of 4.36:10 hours. with an average speed of 26 km/h

lated HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa on the success of the Championship, stating that the contest showcased strong competition throughout its stages. Meanwhile, victorious Al Khatiri expressed his utmost happiness at winning the Championship, attributing his The winners were crowned by HH Shaikh victory to the instructions extended to him by Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. From his part, HH HH Shaikh Nasser.

Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), President of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF), congratu- Source: Media Office of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Arabian Horse Intl

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SPECIAL 1 HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival

Photo: Cidinha FranzĂŁo

One World, 6 Continents, Abu Dhabi The Capital

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10 YEARS

For the ninth consecutive year was held in Abu Dhabi, from 6 to 13 November, the finals of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival with intense programming for the nearly 800 guests: Draw of the jockeys, horses and gates of the three main championships held throughout the year in different countries; IFHRA (International Federation of Horse Racing Academies) General Assembly; HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak IFHRA Conference for Training and Education consisting of three panels; IFHRA Apprentice Jockeys Workshop; Finals races of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival and exceptional dinners culminating with 10 Years-HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Festival Gala Dinner at Emirates Palace.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival consists of four championships played in different countries and the winners are invited to run the finals in Abu Dhabi: Sh. Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup that in the final in November became Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, the World Richest Arabian Horse Racing with a purse of Euro 1.200.000); H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship

IFAHR; H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship IFAHR; Wathba Stallions Cup for local breeders, not only in UAE but in other countries, but the final is with only UAE breeders; a World Arabian Horse Racing Conference held each year in a different country and that from 2018 onwards it will be called World Arabian Horse Racing Forum and will be held in Madrid, Spain; and HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Conference for Education & Training (IFAHR/ IFHRA) in Abu Dhabi.

On June 6, 2017 after another stage of HH Sh Mansoor Festival in Sweden, Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the Festiv announced that “the Festival will hold a new race – HH Sheikha Latifa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ponies Cup – to encourage young riders in the age group of 8 yrs to 12 yrs and this race will be part of the ‘One World, Six ContinentsAbu Dhabi the Capital of the World’ race meeting on November 10, 2017.”

“We will have eight young jockeys drawn from all parts of the world, representing the six continents, in the race. This HH Sheikha Latifa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ponies Cup will be an annual affair,” Ms. Sawaya said.

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2009 - Inspiring initiative launched It was on July 12, 2009 at the Duindigt racecourse in The Netherlands that the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival took its first step by staging the Zayed The First Cup, a Listed race over 1900 metres with a price tag of Euros 15,000.

rope and one in Abu Dhabi. Ms Lara Sawaya was named as the Director of the Festival.

Simmbad trained by the late Jean-Francois Bernard and ridden by Jean-Baptiste Hamel won the race and that started off an endeavour which today has crossed many barriers and stopped all over the globe to emerge as one of the biggest equestrian series in the world.

The inaugural edition was dedicated to 100 years of Sheikh Zayed the First. Sheikh Zayed Bin Khalifa ruled the Emirates for an unprecedented 54 years from 1855 to 1909 and called ‘Father of the Nation’ and was also referred to as ‘Sheikh Zayed the First.’

The brain-child of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse

If 2009 was the start of an endeavor to raise the status of the Purebred Arabian horse as a flat-racing star, what was to follow was so huge and so all-compassing that range of events staged under the umbrella of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is truly unbelievable!

Flat Racing Festival staged four races in Eu-

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Apart from Duindigt, the Zayed The First Cup races were also held in La Teste and Dax in France and Frankfurt in Germany while the final race was held in Abu Dhabi on November 8, 2009.

2010 - Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan series launched From five races in 2009 the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival gathered pace and 2010 saw the introduction of a ground-breaking conference and two separate race series-one at the highest level and one at the grass-roots leveland both have since been highly successful and have positively impacted the progress of Arabian horse racing.

The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan series brought back memories of the great support to Purebred Arabian horses by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and it was natural that his son His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs kept that support going through the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

Seven races were held in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan series with Delaware in the USA and Warsaw in Poland being the prominent venues that were part of the Festival and these races catered to the top layer of Arabian horses hailing from big stables and big owners.

HH Sheikh Mansoor, however, decided to focus at the all-important grassroots level and un-

veiled the Wathba Stud Farm Cup, which is now the Wathba Stallions Cup. The Wathba Cup was staged in Abu Dhabi and ten races were open only to small and private owners thus opening up the opportunities at the lowest level.

While the Festival was making huge waves with the action on the race-tracks, one of the greatest moves by HH Sheikh Mansoor was to stage a world-level meeting for Arabian horses. The World Arabian Horse Racing Conference (WAHRC) made its debut and was held in Abu Dhabi from September 23 to 25, 2010.

With over 100 officials and experts from over 20 countries invited for the three-day conference, the horse racing fraternity was elated as a new platform was now available to discuss and debate the challenges faced by Arabian horse racing, its breeding programmes and many such allied issues.

Arabian racing and breeding in countries and regions were governed by different rules and regulations but the WAHRC gave a ray of hope that many common issues could be resolved and experiences exchanged, thus making it a very important annual event for Arabian racing and its progress.

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2011 - HH Sheikha Fatima Ladies race makes its debut The year 2011 saw a manifold expansion in the activities of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival. For the second time in three years the Duindigt racecourse in the The Netherlands became a part of history and this time for hosting the first-ever and the richest-ever race for Amateur lady jockeys.

The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Amateur Cup, a turf event over 1900 metres carrying a prize fund of Euros 20,000 made a historic debut on the sidelines of the second World Arabian Horse Racing Conference held in The Hague.

Nine lady jockeys from around the globe including Shathra Al Hajjaj from the UAE lined up to become part of the debut event. Britain’s Rachel King on Sankado rode home the winner and though that was the only race for ladies in 2011, it paved the way for bigger things to come for lady jockeys.

June 16 and 18, 2011 in The Hague. To recall the words of the late D.J de Ruiter of the Dutch Arabian Racing Committee, which hosted the conference, - ‘Twelve months ago there seemed to be no future for Arabian racing but all that has changed thanks to HH Sheikh Mansoor.’ Discussions and debates became more focused and all connections of Arabian horse racing reiterated the need and the success of the Festival’s conference.

In racing action, the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup series made a new stop in Houston among the eight venues and also saw the introduction of the European Triple Crown which carried a bonus of 30,000 Euros for the top performer in three races. Sartejano won that crown and later in the year its proud connections received the bonus during the finale in Abu Dhabi.

While the Wathba Stud Farm Cup series in Abu Dhabi was increased to 15 races, the year also Prior to the ladies race, an atmosphere of saw the series go international with races in hope and confidence encapsulated the second The Netherlands, USA, Sweden, Poland, UK edition of the WAHRC which was held between and Switzerland.

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2012 - HH Sheikha Fatima Ladies World Championship series is born It was the fourth year since the Festival was launched and with each year the quality and quantity of the events kept the Arabian equestrian community both involved and excited the world over.The new direction of the Festival was chalked out by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

In 2012 one of the most important addition was the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) race which along with the first-ever HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak EARS Apprentice Jockey Cup gave a new dimension to the Festival’s activities.

HH Sheikh Mansoor, winning under UAE jockey Ahmed Ajtebi in Abu Dhabi. Earlier Ameretto topped in the European Triple Crown and won the Euros 30,000 bonus.

After Abu Dhabi and The Hague, the third World Arabian Horse Racing Conference was held in Berlin, Germany and continued to make huge progress in enhancing the status of Arabian racing around the globe.

The Wathba Stud Farm Cup continued the create ripples at the grassroots level with 15 races in Abu Dhabi and over 20 around the world.

The Festival took part in various events like the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, the Abu Dhabi International Sports Exhibition and promoted its activities to thousands of visitors.

On another front the Festival sponsored and supported the Darley Awards and the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Award which was held on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at the JW Marriott in Houston, Texas.

Sam Vasquez carried away three trophies in the Darley Awards while Oman’s Azhar Al Wardi bagged the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Award for Best Jockey. Australia’s Maureen Milburn won the prestigious HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Lifetime Award’ for her service to Arabian racing.

And in another first, the Festival unveiled its inaugural Year Book which captured all events staged in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and was compiled by equestrian journalist M. Satya Narayan.

After nine races all over the globe, French lady jockey Delphine Dubois was crowned HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Champion after her win on AF Sanadek in the final held in Abu Dhabi.

Omani rider Mu’nis Al Siyabi won the first-ever HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak EARS Apprentice Jockey Cup on Richly Blessed.

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2013 - Arabian horses prove mettle on St. Moritz lake ice-tracks While the primary focus of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival has been to further the cause of Arabian horse racing, it has also helped Purebred Arabian horses take on new challenges. One such initiative was to see the Arabian equine stars race on the ice and snow tracks on the frozen lake Moritz in Switzerland.

Seven Purebred Arabian horses lined up to create history on February 13, 2013 when they tackled the tricky ice track and Fanal El Samawi under Fabian Xavier won the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup over 1800 metres.

In the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan series, it was Ameretto that once again sizzled to win the Berlin and Warsaw legs of the European Triple Crown and with a second place finish in Duindigt, won the Euros 30,000 bonus for the second successive year.

The year 2013 also heralded a series of Endurance rides, the feature of them being the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Cup that was run in Abu Dhabi and was won by the UAE’s Afra Al Suwaidi.

The Festival staged Endurance rides under its banner both in the UAE and abroad.

In another key development, Ms. Lara Sawaya, the Director of the Festival was elected as the Chairperson of IFAHR Ladies Racing.

The French city of Toulouse was the proud host of the fourth edition of the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference 2013 and like the three before it, this three-day meet also ended in success.

The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak EARS (European Association of Racing Schools) Conference on Education and Training was another ground-breaking initiative that was aimed to bolster the skills of aspiring jockeys.

South Africa’s Collen Thabana riding Manan won the second running of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak EARS Apprentice Jockeys race in Abu Dhabi while the Ladies Championship, after ten races around the globe, brought victory to 48

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Oman’s Salima Al Taleei.

Riding the Jaci Wickham-trained Kareem, Al Taleei did very well to win the 1600-metre race and be crown as the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Champion for 2013.

Valiant Boy won the Best 4-year-old as well as the Best US Horse of the Year Award as Houston played host to another Festival supported Darley Awards function.

It was a Dutch dominance in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Awards as Karin van den Bos (Best Owner), Jadey Pietrawiecz (Best Jockey) and Diana Dorenburg (Best Trainer) made The Netherlands proud. The Lifetime Achievement award was won by the late Susan Santesson of Germany.

The Wathba Stud Farm Cup series continued its presence in Abu Dhabi while 23 races in the series were held around the world, providing a major boost Arabian racing at the grassroots level.

The Festival continued to participate in shows in Oman and the UAE while another edition of the Year Book for 2012 was also unveiled.

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2014- Hollywood is the new home for Darley and HH SheikhaFatima Awards Under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and with great support from Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the Festival continued to scale great heights.

The humble connections of Purebred Arabian racing walked the red carpet and soaked in the ambience of the Kodak Studio in Hollywood, as the 2014 Darley Awards and HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Awards were distributed in style.

Mark Powell and his younger brother Scott Powell won three categories each in the Darley Awards while Nelly Philippot won the HH Sheikha Fatima Lifetime Achievement Award.

In Endurance, the richest ever ladies ride was held in Italy and the UAE registered a golden double in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance Cup. More success came UAE’s way when the Festival-sponsored World Endurance Championship for Young Horses was won by Mansour Saeed Al Faresi on Tiswan Fageole in Samorin, Slovakia.

The year also saw Ms. Lara Sawaya being elevated as Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and was also named as chief of the IFAHR Apprentice Racing.

The third Year Book of the Festival was launched while the Festival’s stand at the Arab Travel Mart, the Oman Horse Exhibition and ADIHEX 2014 continued to be a huge draw.

In another major development, HH Sheikh Mansoor initiated the setting up of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Ms. Lara Sawaya was named as the head of the Abu Dhabi-based world body.

Over 400 delegates from 53 countries attended the London edition of the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference in May, 2014 while the HH 50

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Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Conference on Education and Training proved a huge boost for young and upcoming jockeys when held in November.

The Festival also launched another world championship and this time it was for Apprentice jockeys. The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship staged four rounds around the globe and then in the final race in Abu Dhabi it was Turkey’s Vahdettin Kaplan on Munzade who was crowned world champion.

The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship in 2014 was won by Dutch jockey Jadey Pietrasiewicz on Molahen Al Elhan.

After Ameretto won the European Triple Crown for the third year in a row, the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan series culminated with a great win for HH Sheikh Mansoor when Thakif won the Abu Dhabi finale under Harry Bentley.

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2015 - World’s richest race for Arabian horses staged Purebred Arabian horse racing received a major boost when the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival announced the world’s richest race ever in 2015.

Horse’ as well as “Horse of the Year’ in the US Darley Awards that was again held in spectacular fashion at the Dolby Studio in Hollywood.

American Denise Gault was conferred with the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak ‘Lifetime An awesome purse of Euros 1.2 million and Achievement’ award on the same night. a Group 1 status was accorded to the Sheikh The Abu Dhabi-headquartered International Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown held Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) as part of the Festival’s season-ending finale in attracted many countries to its membership Abu Dhabi on November 8, 2015. and after a series of meetings announced a It was a mouth-watering line-up as the 15 that ground-breaking Racing Scholarship Fund (RSF) started were drawn from all over the globe to sponsor young aspirants to various mentorand the spotlight under floodlights was hogged ship programmes around the globe.

by Kalino. Trained by Alban de Mieulle, Kalino The Festival also funded the Liverpool John scored an exciting win under big-race jockey Moore University research programme on joOlivier Peslier in the history-making race. ckeys weight and ways and means of improving Switzerland’s Astrid Wullschleger won the HH the practice of maintaining weight.

Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World The Festival’s focus on jockeys was taken to Championship and on the same night Australia’s a new level when it hosted a three-day HH Ben Thompson emerged world champion in the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Conference for HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice Education and Training on the sidelines of the World Championship series. season-ending finale. With many experts and The Festival also introduced Triple Jewel bonus of US $ 150,000 for the horse that tops the three-race competition in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan series in US. Paddys Day won the inaugural Triple Jewel and served notice of his immense potential.

experienced professional on hand the young jockeys were in education mode for three days.

The 5th Year Book was unveiled in 2015 while the Festival continued to participate in various shows and events to promote the Festival’s acIn the same series in Europe, Ameretto sealed tivities and this included the Zayed Heritage his fourth consecutive Triple Crown title and Show toward the end of the year. bonus with another consistent display in the three-race event.

Warsaw played host to the Festival’s World Arabian Horse Racing Conference in which over 400 delegates from 80 countries mulled the future of Purebred Arabian racing.

In Endurance action, rides were held in the UAE and abroad and Ireland’s Amy Louis Mcauley won the gold while France took the team title in the HH Sheikha Fatima Ladies Cup held in Verona, Italy. Bahrain also played host to one leg of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Cup series in 2015.

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Olivier Peslierand Kalino

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2016 - First-ever Arabian horse race held at Santa Anita Park One of the biggest achievements of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival in 2016 was the first-ever Purebred Arabian horse race it staged at the Santa Anita Park racecourse in Arcadia, California.

praised by HRH The Countess of Wessex for the ever-evolving activities and the support of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the universal growth of Arabian racing. HRH The Countess was presented with a memento and a copy of the Festival’s Year Book.

A day later on April 2, 2016 the Festival handed over a cheque of US $ 100,000 to Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens and other jockeys as support for disables jockeys.

More accolades for the Festival came when Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood honoured its Executive Director Ms. Lara Sawaya for her active role in promotion of the Festival and its activities. The Festival was also certified as ISO 9001-2015 compliant- a testimony to the professional organisation through the years.

The Santa Anita race was part of the Darley Awards and HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Awards once again held in glittering style at the Kodak Studio in Hollywood.

While Paddys Day with two awards hogged the limelight in the US Darley section, Switzerland’s Elizabeth Zindel was given the lifetime achievement trophy in the HH Sheikha Fatima Awards.

The Festival after breaking new ground by staging an Arabian stakes race in Santa Anita, was hailed by the California State Senate which passed a resolution and commended the Festival with a certificate.

Similarly, at the 7th edition of the Festival’s World Arabian Horse Racing Conference held in Rome, Italy the Mayor of Rome Francesco Paola Tronca honoured HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs with the ‘Lupa Capitolina’.

On the sidelines of the WAHRC event in Rome, the UAE flag fluttered in the Vatican when 300plus invitees of the Festival visited the Vatican Galleries as special guests. The UAE envoys presented a painting ‘Mercy’ to the Vatican which carried a message of peace and love from the UAE to the world.

On another front, the Festival in 2016 supported the UK’s ‘Women of the Future’ awards and Paralympic archer Danielle Brown received the Future of Sport award from UAE Envoy Sulaiman Al Mazroui and Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the Festival. The Festival was

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In flat racing action, Ziyadd, owned by HH Sheikh Mansoor, emerged as the new Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan series European Triple Crown winner while the US Triple Jewel crown was snapped by Paddys Day for the second year in a row.

The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Conference for Education and Training and the Wathba Challenge Endurance Ride were held on the sidelines of the finale in November when the two world championship finals and the Festival’s richest-ever Arabian race were staged.

Australia’s Dylan Dunn on Qader won the 2016 HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship while the Briton Catherine Walton on RB Dixie Burning emerged HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Champion for 2016.

In a fitting finale, RB Burn was driven to a powerful finish by French jockey Gerald Avranche to win the second running of the Euros 1.2 million Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup Crown Jewel (Group 1) race, the world’s richest ever for Purebred Arabian horses.

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2017 - Stage set for the Grand Finale Most members of the Purebred Arabian fraternity will be joined by others representing various equestrian sport and allied organisations in Abu Dhabi this week to witness the ‘One World, 6 Continents-Abu Dhabi the Capital’ extravaganza which brings the curtain down on the Festival’s activities for 2017.

Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival. The ARAC also honoured Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the Festival for her efforts in promoting the Festival events which eventually has led to a boost for Purebred Arabian racing in the US.

Also on the card are the Ladies and Apprentice finals of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak series while a new addition this year will be the HH Sheikha Latifa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Pony race with nine young jockeys in the fray.

the FEI Endurance Forum in Barcelona, Spain.

On the Endurance front, the Festival introduA strong field is getting ready to contest the ced the ‘Endurance in Capitals Series’ while all world’s richest race for Purebred Arabians other annual events like in the previous years – the Euros 1.2 million Sheikh Zayed Bin Sul- were held both in the UAE and abroad. tan Al Nahyan Cup Crown Jewel (Group 1) on Algeria became the latest country to play host November 10, 2017 and with the event race to races organized by the Festival while Lebameeting being held on Friday, a record crowd non staged for the first time a Festival-supporis expected to witness the big race. ted Horse Show. The Festival also took part in Naziq was named the ‘Best 4-year-old filly’ in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley (International) Awards while Scott Powell and his popular Purebred Arabian horse Paddys Day along with US owner-breeders Betty Gillis, Joseph A and Dianne Waldron stole the limelight in the 2016 US Darley Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood’s Highland Center on March 31, 2017.

Earlier in 2017, the Festival achieved twin success when on September 4 it staged the first-ever Purebred Arabian horse race at the Monmouth Park in New Jersey and more importantly race was ‘lasix-free’ for the first The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley time in a US race meeting!

(International) Awards was received with great The Festival had laid down that its races in the fanfare as the winners came from Hong Kong, US will be ‘lasix-free’ and for the first time Algeria, Sweden, France, The Netherlands, ever Purebred Arabian racing showed the way Poland, USA, UK and Turkey. Poland’s Doruta competing without the use of Lasix, the anti- Kaluba’s efforts in promoting Purebred Ara-bleeding medication, which is used in the US bian horse racing was rewarded with a Life but banned in many other racing countries.

Time Award.

Paddys Day won in Monmouth Park event and With some activities still to come after this also completed a sweep of the three Jewel ra- week’s action on and off the tracks, the Festices to earn the US$ 150,000 bonus for the third val is all set to sign off the year 2017 in style. successive year.

Another huge boost for Arabian racing came when Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza and Paddys Day demolished their 11 other rivals in the Grade I, $100,000 HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Award Stakes at Santa Anita race course on April 1, 2017.

In a rare honour accorded by a US racing body, the Arabian Racing Association of California (ARAC) and the Texas Arabian Breeders Association (TABA) have accorded Honorary Membership to the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed 56

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HH Sheikha Fatima B (Internation And US Darley Awa spectacula

HH Sheikh Mansoor Fes at Dolby Theate

Naziq was named the ‘Best 4-year-old filly’ in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley (International) Awards while Scott Powell and his popular Purebred Arabian horse Paddys Day along with US owner-breeders Betty Gillis,Joseph A and Dianne Waldron stole the limelight in the 2016 US Darley Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood’s Highland Center on Friday night, March 31.

Once again the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival along with the Stewards of the Arabian Racing Cup put together a dazzling awards show at the very same venue where the Oscars was held just three weeks ago.

The Purebred Arabian fraternity was given a red-carpet welcome at the Dolby Theater and the ceremony was a spectacular event with Derek Thompson and Victoria Shaw as presenters and some innovative ‘Dronedancing’ on the sidelines.

Paddys Day scooped the Horse of the Year 58

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and the Best Older Horse awards while his trainer Scott Powell was named Trainer of the Year in the 2016 US Darley Awards. But the 2016 US Darley Awards was dominated by the shy and elderly couple of Betty Gillis and Joseph A who won both the Best Owner and Best Breeder Darley Awards while their horses - Easterman (4-year-old Colt) and Dream Pearl (Older Mare) - were named Best in their respective categories.

One of America’s top Purebred Arabian breeder Dianne Waldron along with her daughter and grandchildren was also in the limelight after RB Nash (3-Year-Old Colt/ Gelding),RB Kinkie (3-Year-Old Filly) and RB Madymoiselle (4-Year-Old Filly) topped their respective groups while Dianne also winning the coveted Best Breeder in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley (International) Awards later in the night.

Earlier HE Abdulla Al Subose, UAE Consul General in Los Angeles, HE Aref Al Awani representing Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director of International Promotion at Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Edward Hamod, General Manager of National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC, Sami Al Boenain – IFAHR Chairman, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival,

Bint Mubarak Darley nal) Awards ards distributed in ar fashion

stival sponsored show er in Hollywood

Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and Michelle Morgan, ARC Chief Steward welcomed the 1000-plus audience at the famous Hollywood venue.

The VIP guests along with the Stewards of the Arabian Racing Club gave away the awards.

The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley (International) Awards was received with great fanfare as the winners came from Hong Kong, Algeria, Sweden, France, The Netherlands, Poland, USA, UK and Turkey.

Poland’s Doruta Kaluba’s efforts in promoting Purebred Arabian horse racing was rewarded with a Life Time Award while Sylvine Al Maury- winner of the Best 4-year-old last year- was named best Older Mare this year in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley (International) Awards.

Ms. Lara Sawaya also gave away special awards to five companies that had served the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley (International) Awards over the last seven years while also receiving special awards were Keith Brackpool, Chairman, Santa Anita Park and Eddie Murphy of Dolby Theater.

Naziq winner of HH SH Fatima received by Musallam Al Amri

Source: HH SH Mansoor Festival Text: Satya Narayan Photos: Morhaf Al Assaf and Cidinha Franzão Arabian Horse Intl

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Paddys Day Horse of the Year US Darley Award winner

Mercedes Tapia Best Lady Endurance Rider of the Year HH SH Fatima winner 60

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The winners of HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley (International) Awards

The 2016 USA Darley Award winners

Best 3-Year-Old Filly: Amirat Esahra (Algeria)

3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: RB Nash

Best 4-Year-Old Filly: Naziq (France) Best Older Mare: Sylvine Al Maury (France) Best Lady Amateur Jockey: Ms Cindy Klinkenberg (The Netherlands) Best Lady Apprentice Jockey: Kei Chiong Ka-Kei (Hong Kong) Best Lady Professional Jockey: Ms Anna Pilroth (Sweden) Best Lady Breeder: Mrs Dianne Waldron (USA) Best Lady Owner: Mrs Deniz Kurtel (Turkey) Best Lady Trainer: Mrs Jean-Francois Bernard (France) Best Lady Photographer: Mrs Debbie Burt (UK) Best Lady TV Presenter: Josephine Chini (Sweden) Best Lady Journalist: Stephanie Corum (USA)

3-Year-Old Filly: RB Kinkie 4-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Easter Man 4-Year-Old Filly: RB Madymoiselle Older Horse: Paddys Day Older Mare: Dream Pearl Breeder: Betty Gillis and Joseph A Owner: Betty Gillis and Joseph A Trainer: Scott Powell Jockey: Ricardo Chiappe Horse of the Year: Paddys Day

Best Lady Endurance Rider: Mercedes Tapia (Argentina) Lifetime Achievement Award: Mrs Dorota Kaluba (Poland)

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Muraaqib under Jim Crowley wins Sh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown, in Abu Dhabi, the World’s Richest Arabian Race

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Muraaqib under Jim Crowley

Belgian Bertiaux and Denmark’s Ina Toverud win HH Sheikha Fatima world titles

Friday’s finale of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival turned out to be an actionpacked race meeting with a lot of drama and excitement at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club racecourse on November 10.

It took a full 40 minutes after last year’s winner RB Burn crossed the finish line in the world’s richest race for Purebred Arabians that a Stewards verdict ruled in favour of secondplaced Muraaqib.

The Eric Lemartinel –trained RB Burn under Gerald Avranche and the Francois Rohauttrained Muraaqib under Jim Crowley battled stride for stride before the former finished first in the Euros 1.2 million Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (Group 1) race.

Crowley lodged a protest and a lengthy inquiry followed as the Stewards heard from Crowley and Avranche while the packed venue waited for the winner.

The Stewards’ decision to reverse the top two finish meant Muraaqib, the son of Munjiz, won on his UAE debut to extend an impressive record of six Group 1 wins in his career success of 9 wins in 11 starts!

An elated Crowley said, “I was very confident going into the inquiry. I was taken off my line from the furlong mark and I received two bumps. There was no doubt it cost me the race.”

Earlier HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Social Development welcomed the nearly 800 plus guests invited by the Festival from 88 countries and the large gathering of racing fans to the finale which brought the curtain down on the 2017 racing calendar of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikha Lateefa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to the Oman HE Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Dr. Abdulla Al Raisi, Director General of the National Archives, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, General Manager of Wathba Stallions, Chairperson of the Int’l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and ADEC Director General Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi gave away the trophies to the winners of the five Purebred Arabian races along with other VIP guests, representatives of the Festival’s sponsors, officials.

HH Sheikh Nahyan said, “We thank His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood with whose direction this demanding event has become a wonderful tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”

“Now entering its 10th year the Festival holds an eminent position in the world of horse racing and has taken Abu Dhabi to a global audience,” he added.

Ms. Sawaya congratulated HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance on the success of Muraaqib. She also hailed the success of the race meeting and particularly that of the Arabian Horse Intl

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Alice Bertiaux and RB Inferno

first ever pony international race.

Ladies World Championship Final produced a close finish. Belgian jockey, Alice Bertiaux, a The Festival’s Sheikha Lateefa Bint Mansoor teacher by profession, landed the spoils, proBin Zayed Al Nahyan International Pony race ducing RB Inferno with a perfectly timed chalwas the final fixture of the meeting and it lenge to lead inside the final 200m. was young Mia Ann Nicholls wearing the red, white and blue silks who made Britain proud They were never then going to be caught, with a superb win. running on strongly to win for Lemartinel who saddled the winner.

Mia Ann Nicholls, the daughter of trainer Adrian Nicholls, racing on Silver Patch, fin- “I am very grateful to HH Sheikh Mansoor, HH ished ahead of the UAE’s Mohammad Ahmed Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak and everyone Al Ketbi while in third place was Ireland’s Cian involved in the festival,” said a delighted BerShaun Murphy. tiaux. “And of course to Monsieur Lemartinel who told me how to ride the horse. RB Inferno HH Sheikha Lateefa Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed was in great condition to win today.”

Al Nahyan gave away the trophies to the winners of this first-ever international pony race French lady jockey Ingrid Grard on Da’Areen which will from next year be run as a ten-race Italian Giulia Coccia on Sanad finished second series stopping all over the globe. and third in the Ladies championship race.

The 1600m HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Carrying Prestige status, the 1600m HH 66

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Ina Toverud and AF Yatroq

Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice Jockey Championship provided the easiest winner on the card when Denmark’s Ina Toverud stormed home on AF Yatroq, representing UAE Champion Owner, Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda and completing a double for Oertel.

“We knew we had good chances and I am obviously delighted with that result which is a great one for the yard,” said a beaming Oertel.

Fresu added: “I had planned to track the leaders but he was not as quickly away as I would have liked so I had to sit further back. “He Oertel said, “She has ridden that race very went through the gap bravely when I asked well and has kept the horse going all the way him and quickened nicely for me.” to the line.”

The day’s opening race- the UAE Martyrs TroRussian Andrei Ivanov on Hamares and Alge- phy was won by the Helal Al Alawi-trained ria’s Abdelrrahmene Boulesbaa on AF Maher Shah Jahan De Rodaim under Pat Cosgrave. took second and third spots in the Apprentice The UAE Martyrs Cup, a 1600m conditions final. race and the only Thoroughbred contest In the Festival’s Wathba Stallions Cup race for on the card, was won by the Doug WatsonPrivate Owners, Antonio Fresu produced a trained Shamaal Nibras under Pat Dobbs. brilliant ride aboard Ibn Harmany Al Zobair to land a first winner in the collors of the Emir- The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is ates Bred Syndicate. sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Arabian Horse Intl

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Mia Ann Nicholls riding Silver Patch

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and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2017, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

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Jeane Alves makes history in the Brazilian turf First woman to win an entire season of horse racing in Brazil, an important and unprecedented achievement

by Cidinha Franzão Photos: Porfírio Menezes and Cidinha Franzão

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June 24, 2017 will enter to the history of Jeane to see that she has the respect of employees, Alves and the Brazilian horse racing. animal owners and other horse racing athletes in the Jockey Club of São Paulo. However, the The lady jockey of Ceará (northeastern Bra- path to this status was marked by some epizil state) won the title of the statistics victories sodes of disrespect, especially by the bettors. ( jockeys that win more races during the year) 2016-2017 in the Cidade Jardim Racecourse, “I heard a lot of jokes: ‘Oh, if it was a man he which in Brazil goes from July of the previous had won; you lost because you’re a woman’. year to June of the following year.

At first I was much shaken, but today I am not anymore. I have to train more of the men to Jeane Alves de Lemos, 29, was born in Acopi- be able to compete along with them. Men can ara, in the interior of Ceará, and at age 12 be- have more power than me, but sometimes I win gan to participate in Vaquejadas following the in the delicacy with the horse, “said Alves. tradition of her brother. Even against her parents’ wishes, the passion for horses was stron- After a complicated phase in her private life, in ger, which made Jeane jump over the bedroom which she almost gave up everything, because window to compete. she is very self-critical and did not think she was in good condition to return, she returned with The vaquejada is a sport typical to the North- full force after an invitation from Dr. Renato Juneast region of Brazil, in which two cowboys queira, owner, and Olavo Jerônimo, trainer, to (“vaqueiros”) on horseback pursue a bull, seek- ride Go Tricolor in a Grand Prix. She competed ing to pin it between the two horses and direct and won. And the thought and determination it to a goal (often consisting of chalk marks), to win and shine came back. where the animal is then knocked over.

In her life as a professional lady jockey already Her brother was the great encourager, support- led Jeane competing in several countries, like er and teacher, as always helped, even when she England, Belgium, Peru, Argentina and China. In came to São Paulo in search of her dream. her experience abroad, she said that the role of women seems more developed.

The passion for horses and competitions has grown and strengthened over the years and “When I compete outside Brazil, there is more Jeane began to think about being jockey still women riding, caring for the horse, trainer, etc. in Ceará, inspired by her cousins D. Lemos and There is a woman who gallops with horses in the A. D. Alves who competed in the Jockey Club of morning and people say that they like women Sao Paulo. more than men because they are more delicate with the horse, “she said.

At the age of 20, she decided to travel to São Paulo and gain her place in the Brazilian horse And she started to shine a lot more on June 21, racing. The professional life of Jeane Alves be- 2014 by being the first Brazilian lady jockey to gan in a meteoric way, still as a lady jockey compete and win a stage of the HH Sheikha newly formed by the Apprentices School of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World ChampionJockey Club of São Paulo, under the guidance ship IFAHR in Newbury Racecourse, England, of Roberto Penachio, coach and school teacher. which is part of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Six months after starting, she started riding in Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival.

June 2008 and a month later she won her first apprentice victory.

And another challenge came a year later. On June 21, 2015, a new taboo was broken.

And begins her trajectory to break taboos and prejudices. Jeane was the first woman to win the With Braço Forte, Jeane Alves not only won the Group 1 as an apprentice and never stopped. Grand Prix Jockey Club Brasileiro (G1) but also Always determined, she puts in her mind that became the first woman to win a G1 race at the wanted to win and always be among the best, Gávea Racecourse, Rio de Janeiro. conquer her space and make history in horse In early 2017, Jeane was invited to participate in racing in Brazil. the International Mixed Doubles Jockeys ChalSome years were needed until Jeane reached lenge Cup in Macau. Race in which they run such a level of excellence. Just follow a workout in pairs: a man and a woman. On January 21, Arabian Horse Intl

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Jeane Alves and Braço Forte, winners of the Grand Prix Jockey Club Brasileiro (G1) Jeane and her partner Yutaka Take, Japan, finished third in the Macau tournament attended by six doubles.

The year went by, the races going on and by June 24 Jeane Alves and Ruberley Viana had 51 wins each one in the 2016/2017 season.

And the story was written again by Jeane Alves.

With La Vie En Rose, after some difficulties of synchrony between jockey and horse in the beginning, the duo went straight and won, from end to end, the Grand Prix José Paulino Nogueira (GII) at Hipódromo Cidade Jardim in São Paulo.

On the same day, she won the second match with Outro Tricolor, the third with Queops and the ninth with Paris-Plit. With the four victories were added 55 achievements, of the 342 races in which she participated, in the period 20162017 and was the first woman to finish first in the statistics of the Cidade Jardim Race Course and Brazil.

Winner of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR in Newbury Racecourse 72

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“It was an excellent season and I’m very happy for the win. Being the first woman to win the statistic is very important because we know that there is still a lot of prejudice within Brazilian horse racing. It is a way to break this prejudice gradually and open doors for other women, the

in addition to respecting them and seeing the woman as equal. I want to continue winning, no matter if in first, second or third place and I also want to do some season outside Brazil,” said Jeane Alves.

And on July 22, ridden Zells Kate she came up with a record-breaking run to win the Grand Prix Mahabb (Group 3) - Wathba Stallions Cup at Hipódromo de Cidade Jardim, Brazilian stage of the HH SH Mansoor Bin Zayed Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival.

The Grand Prix Mahabb (Group 3) was one of the three races held under the umbrella of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and part of the Wathba Stallions Cup Festival.

Jeane projects her career at least until she’s 40.

Until then, she plans to add to the curriculum victories in the most important events in the country: the São Paulo Grand Prix and the Brazil Grand Prix, held in Rio de Janeiro The young woman from Ceará who landed in São Paulo with the dream of becoming the best has more than 500 victories in all the categories in which she competed in her curriculum to this day. And many others will come!

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400th winner for Festival Ambassador Mullen in style

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Racing at Al Ain on Friday, January 19, 2018, was highlighted by Round 2 of the Al Ain Marathon Series, a 3200m handicap for which seven went post and proved to be a career landmark 400th UAE winner for reigning champion jockey Richard Mullen.

Victory appeared less than likely on the back straight when Mullen was forced to get serious with his mount, Shamikh Al Wathba, trained on the Al Ain track by Jean de Roualle for Yas Horse Racing Management, but he responded well. Exiting the home turn, when last year’s winner, Balad Al Reef, drifted wide towards the outside rail, Mullen’s mount suddenly loomed as the main danger to Bayan who had taken up the running, fully 1400m out, from Shivan Oa. Once Mullen asked for a determined effort, they swept to the front and stayed on well, eventually posting a comfortable victory.

Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2018, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

De Roualle said: “We were very hopeful coming here because we thought this kind of marathon trip would really suit him and it has. That was only the horse’s seventh start and we hope he has more to offer over these staying distances.”

On the landmark 400, Mullen added: “It is amazing and I could not be more proud; never did I think when I first came to the UAE that I would be achieving landmarks like this. I have been very lucky with great support from top people throughout my time here. Now I just need to put my head down and try to get to 500!”

Richard Mullen, Xavier Ziani and Julie Krone are the Ambassadors of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival which is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, Al Massood Automobiles and Nissan Middleast as official car partners, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority for Sports and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS

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Group 2 contest opens Purebred Arabian action At Meydan Purebred Arabian action returns to Meydan Racecourse for the first time this season on Thursday, with nine runners declared for the Group 2 Bani Yas sponsored by Friday over 1400m on a seven race card generously sponsored by Gulf News

By Dubai Racing Club

RB Madymoiselle makes second appearance since Dubai Kahaya Classic on Dubai World Cup Day 2017 in Group 2 Bani Yas Sponsored By Friday (Credit DRC & Neville Hopwood)

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Previously staged in February, the race was moved to this earlier slot last season to offer trainers the opportunity of a ‘prep race’ ahead of the 1600m Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 on the opening night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival in five weeks time.

Grade One winner in her native US whose only two UAE starts have been in the Group 1 Kahayla Classic, on Dubai World Cup day and the world’s richest Purebred Arabian race, the Group 1 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown.

Helal Al Alawi, responsible for three of the nine runners in this race, has enjoyed a fantastic start to the season, having already saddled 12 winners, just one below reigning Champion Trainer Doug Watson who leads the handler’s championship.

This represents a big drop in class and with the yard in good form she could be the main danger under Antonio Fresu.

Champion Trainer, Doug Watson, saddles three including Nathr who heads the weights with Dane O’Neill riding for his main employer Pat Cosgrave, leading the jockeys’ standings HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. on 13, has ridden all bar one of Al Alawi’s winners this season and partners RB Goliath, five Grand Argentier and Galvanize give the times a winner, always on dirt and four times American handler, who saddled four winners in the UAE, all at Al Ain, twice over 1000m, the at the last Meydan meeting a fortnight ago, a particularly strong hand and he said: “We ran other pair at 1600m.

Nathr over 2000m last time and he will prefer His stable companions, Burning Breeze and RB this return to 1600m.

So Rich are to be ridden by Royston Ffrench “Galvanize won, over this course and distance, and Connor Beasley respectively. at the first Meydan meeting a month ago “The horses have been in great form and we when Grand Argentier was third in the same hope it continues,” said Al Alawi. “This looks a 2000m race Nathr contested. good race for these three horses and we ex“All three are fit and well so we expect them pect them to run well. to run big races in an open looking contest.”

“Burning Breeze is having his first run this season but seems in good form and the other That 2000m handicap Nathr and Grand Artwo will be having their second outings of the gentier contested was won by Trinity Force who will bid for a course and distance repeat campaign. in the finale, the gulfnews.com, also worth “Obviously it is a good race but we are hope- AED190, 000. ful they will be competitive with possibly He is trained by Ali Rashid Al Rayhi and slight preference for RB Goliath.”

O’Shea again rides as he did four weeks ago, The Al Asayl Team rely on RB Torch ridden while stable companion, Jaaref, was second,

by Tadhg O’Shea in the colours of HH Sheikh also over track and trip, a fortnight ago and Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for Eric Lemar- should go well under Paolo Sirigu. tinel. He is a winner this season, albeit over 1600m on the Abu Dhabi turf, but does have He chased home Dehbashi two weeks ago, a Meydan victory to his credit on this card two one of four in this race for Watson whose stayears ago over 1600m when chased home by ble jockey, Pat Dobbs, has chosen to ride Active Spirit who has been done no favours by the aforementioned RB So Rich. the draw and will be departing stall ten.

O’Shea said: “He won well the first day, actually beating stablemate Darius Du Paon who Midnight Chica, second in last season’s UAE then won the big race at Abu Dhabi last Sun- Oaks, is one of two in the race for HH Sheikh day. It is a decent race but he is working well Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Gopi Selvaratnam. She is the choice of Oisin Murand should be thereabouts.” phy with Colm O’Donoghue aboard stableErnst Oertel saddles RB Madymoiselle, a mate, Bluff.

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Gelson Ribeiro and Rhondo Rach

Rhondo Rach and Zells Kate win Festival’s Group 3 races Zells Kate, winer of the mares division, and Rhondo Rach, winner of the colts & stallions, have made history winning first the Grade 3 Races concluded at Hipódromo de Cidade Jardim Source: International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities zes Photos: Porfírio Menezes 78

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Jeane Alves and Zells Kate The Wathba Stallion Cup festival was a fantastic show on July 21 at Hipódromo de Cidade Jardim. Emotions were high during the three races for Arabian horses with the big races won by Fada HVP, Zells Kate and Rhondo Rach.

apprentice.

The trainer, Thiago Haidar, is an expert with Arabian Race horses, and won this first race.

“It was an amazing and easy win, he said. Besides several early debut races, Fada HVP is At the first race of the meeting, debutant Fada not really ready to race but she proved her HVP surprised the favorites and won by a good class by winning this race. We chose a good margin in the Prize Especial Quazar - Wathba apprentice, who is a very good kid and works Stallions Cup, over 1.000 meters, on turf. hard.”

The mare, by Khidar and out of Fate BFA (Falcon BHF) born at Agropecuária Vila dos Pinheiros Ltda, owned by André Lahoz Mendonça de Barros. The winner was ridden by apprentice jockey André R. Oliveira.

Haidar commented as the state of Arab Horse Racing in Brazil. “Today, for sure is a historic day for Arab race horses. We succeeded in holding an amazing festival, with three magnificent races, two of them Grade 3, with a very attractive purse. I am very happy to be “The rhythm of an Arab horse is very different part of this moment”. from a Thoroughbred, but I felt the speed of the race and rode Fada HVP from the middle to the The first Grade 3 for Arabian mares the GP front and she answered well. I am very happy to Mahabb - Wathba Stallions Cup, over 1.400 get my first win with an Arabian horse”, said the meters, Turf, couldn’t have had a better finish: Arabian Horse Intl

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André R. Oliveira and Fada HVP The winner Zells Kate set a new record for Zenyatta, I really believe the first one is a little Mares with a time of 1’36”171. bit better than the second one, so I made the right choice, and won a fantastic race”, said At the turn, Zells Zenyatta (1ª) was 2 lenghts Jeane Alves, who didn’t use her whip on Zells ahead of Zells Kate (2ª), followed by Verten- Kate. “Why use the whip?”, asked the lady jote Rach (3ª), Guinevere Rach (4ª), Cantiga VE ckey in return.

(5ª), Ciranda VE (6ª) and Miss El Chall AJR (7ª).

Trainer Alexandre Garcia Saldanha Correa, who had two entries Zells Kate (1ª) and Zells Zenyatta (2ª) said, “To win a race is a happiness, win a Grade 3 is even better! Zells Kate is a very sensible horse, and we worked hard to calm her down with success. Zells Zenyatta is Zells Zenyatta was second with a great mar- a high strung horse. We travelled from Camgin, followed by Cantiga VE (3ª), Vertente pinas where both are based to São Paulo to Rach (4ª) and rookie Miss El Chall AJR (5ª). promenade both, hoping to calm her down.

Fortunately, it worked and today both showed The Champion, Zells Kate won the R$ their class”, said Alexandre Garcia.

20.000,00 purse. The mare is by S W Zell and out of Zell Lady in Red (Zachzell), bred by The professional also praised the developLynn Kitto and owned by Almir José Ribeiro. ment of Arab Races in Brazil. “Races with big “With a great horse, everything becomes ea- prize money encourage owners and professier. As I already know Zells Kate and Zells At the final stretch, Jeane Alves showed Zells Kate the front, without using the whip and they took the lead easily to win this Grade 3 challenge, with a new record for Arab mares.

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sionals. There are several Thoroughbreds owners who are now starting to get interested in Arab horses. Without doubt, I believe we will have more races like this in the future”.

proves this point, as his parents were also bred by us. The whole family was here, so we had a lot of pressure, but what a great ending!” said Ricardo Jamil Saliba, who got a prize of R$ 20.000,00 (Twenty Thousand Reais) for RhonAlmir José Ribeiro, vice president of Associa- do Rach’s win. ção Brasileira dos Criadores do Cavalo Árabe, is the happy owner of Zells Kate and said re- Trainer Lucas Quintana made a double, with garding the race, “first of all, I would like to Rhondo Rach (1º) and Marei Rach (2º) and thank to HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al said “I am very satisfied as Rhondo Rach has Nahyan who is promoting Arab Races worl- returned to his best shape. He is flying and dwide, Lara Sawaya who once more made it soon he will give more wins. The double with possible with the Wathba Stallion Festival in Marei Rach makes me very happy. I got the Brazil, the ABCCA Board, who still believe in same feeling as the day of GP Brasil (G1the success of Arab races in Brazil, related to -2400mG), when I won with Dídimo. I am very Zells Kate victory, it is a single sensation! My happy!” wife and kids and I always have believed in the talent of this amazing runner, who now is The Wathba Stallion Cup festival distributed part of history of Arab races in Brazil. Thanks R$ 100.000,00 (One Hundred Thousand Reais) to the terrific work, dedication and professio- in prizes with a great success, now looking nalism of our Team, we got the first win in a forward to 2018 with huge expectations.

Graded 3 race in Brazil!!”.

Next up was the GP Munjiz for colts & geldings - Wathba Stallions Cup (Grade 3), also over 1.400 meters, on Turf. Rhondo Rach, record holder of 5 furlongs, proved that a longer distance is no problem at all.

After the start, Rhondo Rach and Velozter jumped fast from the starting gate, but Velozter (1º) took the lead.

Heron HVP took the lead a few meters before the final stretch, while AMB Acalanto was pushing with Mozart HVP. Gelson Ribeiro took Rhondo Rach close to the rail where he got the lead and ran to the finish line. With winning the first Grade 3 race Rhondo Rach added one more win to his race record.

Rhondo Rach by Vaillant Rach and Rhondda Rach (Gothos Rach) is bred by Rach Stud Agropecuária Ltda and owned by Ricardo Jamil Saliba and registered a winning time of 1’36”451.

“This win is very special to our family, as our focus is Arabian racing. So, when we got this terrific result, it was confirmation that everything is progressing well. Rhondo Rach Arabian Horse Intl

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UAE’s Faisal Al-Rahmani elected IFAHR chairman

The UAE nominee Faisal Al-Rahmani has unanimously won the chairmanship of the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities,IFAHR,duringtheGeneralAssembly electionsheldinParisonSaturday,September30.

Faisal Al-Rahmani, who is a passionate ownerbreeder of Purebred Arabian horses, replaces Qatari Sami Jassim Al Boenain as the new IFAHR Chairman.

Faisal Al Rahmani is the Deputy Director of the Emirates Arabian Horse Association and is the Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee, General Supervisor of Al Ain Race Track, UAE Director of Horse Auction.

Al Rahmani has always been a vocal supporter of Purebred Arabian racing and has represented the UAE owners and breeders at 82

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international forums like the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference organised by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

Commenting on Faisal Al-Rahmani election as IFAHR Chairman, Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and General Manager of Wathba Stallions said, “We are very proud of Al Rahmani’s election to the top post in one of the prominent Arabian racing bodies. This

is another achievement for UAE in the international Purebred Arabian racing circuit and we wish him all the best in his new position.�

Source: HH SH Mansoor Festival / Satya Narayan.

Photos by Morhaf Al Assaf

From left to right: Lara Sawaya, Sami Al Boenain, Faisal Al-Rahmani and Matts Genberg

IFAHR Country Members

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3,000 years on one island Nuragic constructions and burial sites, containing the ancestors of Sardinians from 3,000 years ago, dot the landscape. Time seems to roll on in Sardinia, gathering little moss.

Beyond the places are people, customs, and traditions. Getting to know and learning about them means transforming from a tourist into a traveler, and transforming a destination in a place of the heart: do not settle for less!

Below, pristine beaches practically unspoiled and off the beaten track, caress the azure and emerald green waters of the Mediterranean.

Tourism in Sardinia centers on its beaches and the ancient ruins scattered about the island.

Visitors see sights such as Su Nuraxi di BaruA quick detour off the main roads reveals a mini, an archeological site listed as a UNESCO dream landscape, like walking into a museum World Heritage Site. This Italian region boasts and sitting in a Dali painting. Virgin forests, a series of coves and small islands. Sardinia, hosted by expanses of rock and granite mil- the second-largest island in the Mediterranean, lions of years old, give way to peaks and views also features jagged, rocky coastline, mountain of Corsica. ridges and narrow highlands. Sardinia does not

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forget about children, boasting a large family resort in Castello. Sardinia has by far the best beaches of anywhere in Italy and is ideal for exploring. The massif of the Gennargentu is wild and the loveliest parts of the coast are between Cagliari and Nuoro in the east and between Alghero and Oristano in the west. There are over 7000 nuraghi, fortified tower houses around 3000 years old, Sassari has a lovely medieval centre and the Grotta di Nettuno is a wonderful cave.

the most famous places, and one at the north, on the road leading to the brilliant blue of Baja Sardinia. The Emerald Coast was born from the consortium founded by the Ishmaelite prince Karim Aga Khan in 1962, and it invites you to enjoy the fine cuisine, great shopping and the suave and luxurious lifestyle that distinguishes the heart of Porto Cervo, between Golfo Pevero, Pantogia and Capriccioli.

Its gracious architecture is characteristic: small, low, white buildings with soft lines that blend in A mild climate and warm hospitality, thousands beautifully with the surrounding Mediterranean of years of traditions with varied and unparal- vegetation, like the church of Stella Maris, deleled landscapes: this is the setting where the signed by Michele Busiri Vici.

Island’s golf courses are located, places where you can combine a passion for sport with a The Emerald Coast’s fame is due in large part charming holiday, in elegant environments, also to some of its invaluable nearby natural atwith high-quality services, wellness centres and tractions, like Cala di Volpe, an exclusive natural port where some scenes for the James Bond delicious cuisine. film The Spy Who Loved Me were filmed.

Famous in the world over for the emerald blue of its water, for piazzas bustling with life and for Other celebrated places include Grande Pevequality services, it is the most exclusive resort of ro, Liscia di Vacca, surrounded by Mediterranean northeastern Sardinia brush and blessed with turquoise waters, Liscia Luxury hotels and villas, sparkling nightlife, ex- Ruja, with its inlets framed by fragrant juniper clusive boutiques, elegant aperitifs and fine din- bushes, Romazzino, with its transparent sea and ing. The Emerald Coast is Sardinia’s most glam- white beaches, and Pitrizza. orous vacation resort. Two boulders bearing its name welcome you on arrival, one at the south- The lovely bays with white sails draw your eyes ern end on the road that goes from Olbia to to beaches and small islands, like the isola dei Arabian Horse Intl

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Cappuccini, Bisce island, south of Caprera, Li Nibani, Mortorio island, the little delle Camere islands and isola di Soffi. Along the coast is the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute, an international institute set up to study and safeguard these special dolphins.

Sardinia has the best seashore From high up on the little island, about a hundred metres from the shore and easy to reach on foot, especially at low tide, the beauty of the crystal clear water will look even more unreal to you. The wide, spacious beach of Su Giudeu is the continuation of another jewel in the same bay, s’AquaDurci, from which it is separated by a little rocky reef. Not far away, still in the charming and famous tourist locality of Chia in the territory of Domus de Maria - you will find another two splendid beaches: Sa Colonia and Porto Campana. To admire the bay’s entire coastline, we recommend that you take a walk to the lighthouse that dominates the most southwestern part of Sardinia. From the summit, you can admire a dreamlike landscape, often a setting for the scenes of a film or for advertising commercials.

Not far away, you can also visit the archaeological area of Bithia, an ancient town, first Nuragic and then Phoenician, Punic and Roman. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in southern Sardinia.

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Sardinia has approximately 1,242 miles of coastlines set against blue and emerald-green waters, with rock formations surrounding numerous beaches. Cala Domestica in the southwestern coast of the Carbonia-Iglesias province features white limestone cliffs and beaches mixed with sand and gravel. The secluded beach boasts vegetation-covered dunes. Once a mining community, historic buildings still dot the area.

Scuba fishers visit this it because of its uncontaminated waters. The Olbia-Tempio province’s La Celvia beach features coarse, light-colored golden sand set against pinkish-yellow rocks and blue waters. This kid-friendly beach has shallow play areas. Snorkelers and scuba divers enjoy this beach. It has a dock for small boats.

Sardinia’s museums consist of archeological features and artwork that reflects the history and culture of each province. The National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari contains a collection of archaeological relics dating from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. The collection includes engraved terracotta pots, small bronze statues and religious objects. Berchidda, a wine museum, chronicles the history of Sardinia’s winemaking tradition, offering exhib-

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its about how wine is produced and how the climate and soil affect vineyards. Visitors take guides tours of the museum, learning about the types of wine, wine tasting, and fruit, flower and plant identification.

Sardinian food and wine is cheap and delicious.

Fregola, local rice-like pasta, pecorino sheep cheese, fresh and seasoned, are served with Pan Carasau, a Sardinian rosemary flatbread.

The selection of fresh fish and meats across the island is still very good value for money comSardinia has annual festivals and celebrations pared to, say, Catalunya or Provence. all year long, featuring historic processions, medieval activities, music, acrobatics and activities. Useful information Muravera spring Citrus Festival shows appreciation for fruit farmers and their contribution To get the best out of Sardinia, you’ll want to the island’s economy. The three-day festival a car. Some rental cars do very good deals includes art show, musical performances and and have offices in all major towns and cities samples of Sardinia’s oranges. The Village Fes- across the island tival in Sanluri takes place every autumn and celebrates Sardinia’s culture, handicrafts, music Flights: Ryanair – EasyJet – AlItalia - Meridiand cuisine. It features street musicians, bands ana and village choirs. Local artisans showcase their Trains: Trenitalia - Trenino Verde (In Italian) wares and attendees eat traditional cuisine.

Some 15 miles south of the town of Nuoro, Car hire: Sardinya – Europcar - Hertz the landscape of Orgosolo was made famous

by Nobel laureate Deledda’s novel Doves and Travel Tips: Sardegna.com Hawks.

Museums: Museo delle Maschere MediterIn the late 1960s, an Italian anarchist movement ranee - Istituto Etnografico della Sardegna gave birth to a street art movement in the town, - Museo Archeologico Nuoro painting stories of the local farmers’ battles against a brutal feudal system on the walls of Sights: Neptune’s Cave the historic centre. Today, the city is a gallery of liberation murals, protest pieces and a visual Text and photos courtesy history of Sardinian struggles against foreign SARDEGNA ENDURANCE FESTIVAL occupation.

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Boudhieb (Abu Dhabi - UAE): the revolution goes on

The new rules introduced in Bouthieb under the leadership of HH Sh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan have, so far, been implemented on three events totaling eight competitions -from December 31, 2015 to January 23, 2016, i.e. over a period of 3 weeks and two days – involving 1077 horses.

Of that number only 5 horses, whose neither life nor athletic future were in danger, required significant care. These horses all left the clinic in the afternoon.

We can only welcome such a result both because it is exceptional and also because it’s simply unprecedented.

This dramatic decline in the number of horses requiring unavoidable clinical care, this disappearance of horses who died of exhaustion or were put down because of fractures, is certainly the most important and most visible consequence of the revolution taking place in Bouthieb.

But do not forget that this is part of an ongoing broad programme of education / rehabilitation which has several other aspects.

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Here are a few of them.

On the Track What can I say except that it’s just as different as night and day from what went on before?

The cars have access only if they have the badge (authorization) that was given to them. Their number is limited to one vehicle for 5 horses per trainer. In order to ensure effective control, the badge is not a small discreet label that gets stuck in a corner of the windshield and that the stewards or the police will have no time to read, but a big sticker (30 cm x 30 cm) which does not allow fraud.

The riders’ track is lined with linear mounds prohibiting crew vehicles to mix with horses and cross their path. Cars drive on the right or the left track, in principle, depending on the wind so as not to disturb the horses with dust. It is the third year that this provision has been introduced in Bouthieb, but it is only a first step because they are thinking of improving the tracks by making them more technical and by separating them from the vehicle assistance for the next season. The contact points (crew points) would then only be water points as in the rest of the world. Riders would be even more responsible, being no longer practically guided by their trainers. This can only be beneficial for the horses as by becoming more independent; riders will be more responsible and will certainly be more attentive to their horses.

The prohibition of continuous watering and the creation of water points has put an end to the dangerous and unreasonable 4WD race cutting and intersecting the trajectory of the horses at the mercy of the crews fantasies. We no longer see ten 4WD for one horse slaloming 5 or 6 abreast and watering continuously throughout the track. Now, if the crew cars still follow the horses along the track, they take the lead to stop at water points (currently every kilometer), where the grooms are waiting with bottles. While I was on the track at such points I had for the very first time the intimate feeling of being on an endurance competition such as it exists everywhere else in the world rather than in the middle of a kind of insane gymkhana where only speed matters for the sake of speed, at the expense of the essentials, namely the welfare and preservation of the horses.

Cleanliness and general behavior The two shots below say more than any words. Both were taken at Bouthieb at the end of a competition and on the eve of another. The first was taken during the last season, the second in January 2016.

Between them strict instructions were given (no more empty bags of ice lying around and nothArabian Horse Intl

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ing except water tanks for the next day). The instructions are permanent and apply throughout the competition. White bags of ice thrown around and trampled no longer have the right to be.

Their content has to be poured into bins or containers before the event. It is part of a system of education in which whatever you feel like doing is no longer acceptable and the images of the competition and its venue come into play for the fame of the venue.

Now the grooming area is not a place without limits. There is clearly an inside and an outside. This allows more effective control of the 5 assistants per horse rule. Even if this is not yet observed up to 100%, it is being rooted in the minds with the help of the organizers and ground jury members and the difference with what was practiced before is obvious. The notion of field of play materializes both physically and mentally, which is another positive fact.

Control But mankind being what it is and having an innate tendency to cling to old habits, the Organizing Committee had to enforce a monitoring CCTV network to assist the ground jury in its management task. Thus, a room with direct access to the inspection area now centralizes a network of high definition cameras.

This network covers the whole vet gate area (from arrival to departure lines, including the grooming area, the inspection area with its trotting lines, rest areas and even the approach area of arrival and a few meters after the start). Everything is recorded and the operator in charge can enlarge any image and zoom on it as much as technology allows. This has a deterrent effect which is perhaps not yet fully integrated into mentalities, but will certainly have an impact of which we will become aware at the end of the season when we analyze the weak and strong points of the new rules enforced.

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Side effects However much one works on a whole set of rules and tries to circumvent the unintended consequences that may emerge in real life, it is inevitable to have surprises.

For example we saw the number of retirements (RET) increase significantly without the prior causes appearing clearly. After analyzing and questioning the competitors concerned, we discovered an unexpected consequence of the new implemented rules. Indeed, given that the prize allocation is 30% for the traditional classification and 70% for the points classification (reflecting the good condition of the horse and its good management), we now see trainers withdraw their horse correctly classified for the speed ranking but poorly ranked on points. Although being considered fit to start for the next loop, they know that the main prizes will be lost and see no reason to continue even though in the “traditional” context they would have continued without hesitation, possibly risking to ride their horses hard to win. The main beneficiaries of this side effect are certainly the horses. We are delighted by this side effect, that we did not foresee and expect.

We hear trainers rejoice to see that a horse they have worked with for months does not have its career stopped dead due to excess (fracture, death, catastrophic metabolism) on the first major ride and that it will continue its career again and again, which is satisfactory and opens up new perspectives.

We hear these same trainers say that slow but tough horses - and condemned to always losing suddenly now have a future thanks to the new rules. Thus we were able to see horses always in the bottom ranks emerge in the first 10. This partially modifies the rules of the market without doubt because the requested qualities for winnig are now not really the same as before.

At the training level, they say that they will have to look at things differently, from the moment when the parameters have not only changed but are considerably harder consequently imposing new goals.

Some trainers declare a new interest in the game as it is now more difficult and certainly more complex. They now calculate and not “only” go as fast as possible. In this way, the endless gallop at track length is replaced partly by trotting. If during the next season, the design of the tracks is less flat and more technical (and the site of Bouthieb with its dunes permits it), that interest can only grow with time.

But we still see too many riders passively awaiting the orders of their trainer instead of managing their own rides. They arrive near the finish line and start going in circles to cross it when their time gives them the maximum number of points. It is a kind of misuse of the rule by non integration or misunderstanding of it. A new explanation of the goals of the game accompanied by a tight control should be established to counter that bad habit that harms the image of the experience.

But we see a growing number (still relatively small - about 20% on the last ride) of riders who, exploiting the new deal, actually regulate their speed on the track, which is good for the welfare of the horses.

The new rules Thus a different way of competing in endurance appears, a manner based on reverted key criteria which had been relegated with time to the rank of minor elements. Voluntary reorientation of prizes also undeniably helps to make this new vision a habit.

But all is not rosy and the relative speed of the implementation of this “new” approach raises more or less declared opposition. Adaptations and inevitable adjustments in the implementation of any project are used here and there to try and destabilize the operation. But for who knows the passionate perseverance and involvement of Sh. Sultan, it is clear that this will not be enough to stop him and the team that creates the project with and around him in a very intimate and coordinated manner. It is not possible to stop what gives such good results regarding the welfare of the horses, which must come before any other consideration whatever happens.

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The FEI has responded and planned emergency meetings with the EEF (Emirates Equestrian Federation) to see to what extent provisions similar to those of Bouthieb could be applied throughout the territory. We hoped, and so did Sh. Sultan, for an official reaction from the FEI, but we did not think it would occur so rapidly (about 10 days) after the very first implementation.

We have left ruling theories alone, and made the jump into reality by implementing on the ground the Bouthieb pioneer rules which, far from violating the deep meaning of endurance, give it a new security and force. This certainly goes in the same direction as the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) action and research and we hope that our action will have a positive impact on the future of the discipline.

Text and photos: François Kerboul FEI 4*

HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Photo: Cidinha FranzĂŁo 96

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