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Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup
Bouthieb Endurance Village - November 25, 2016

Startlist - Result Gate 1 - Result Gate 2 - Result Gate 3

Bouthieb Initiative Takes a Natural Course... 79% completions rate and a clinic that was virtually empty

Once again His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been taking ground breaking steps at his Bouthieb Endurance Village. The CEI* 80km seasonal opener which took place last weekend saw the first phase of plans to return to a maximum use of natural tracks through the desert, not seen in UAE endurance for many years.

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New tracks passing through the UAE's Natural Forestry Reserves

Friday's Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup, took riders 'off track' on a beautiful course created to naturally slow the speed and to challenge the skills of the riders. These new tracks cover approximately 30% of the course; water points are strategically placed, but no cars are permitted in these areas. This provides a most natural environment for riders to understand and appreciate their horses and to respect their welfare, which is at the centre of the Boutheib Initiative.

This latest, in the line of developments instigated by His Highness was very much appreciated by both horses and riders. It makes a welcome change to the relentless flat race speed tracks that we have become accustomed to seeing in UAE endurance venues. A measure of the success of this most enjoyable day was the 79% completions rate and a clinic that was virtually empty.

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The winner of the CEI* with an average speed of 19.247 was the cross bred 9 year old bay gelding, SM Logo Entero, ridden by Ummed Singh Bhiv Singh, trained by Mubarak Khalifa bin Shafya from Al Aasfa Endurance Stables and owned by Al Aasfa Ltd.

Taking 1st place in Best Endurance Challenge Award was ZT Bey, ridden by Ahmed Abdulla Al Huraiz and trained by Hassan Ali from Hadaybit Asalem Endurance Stables owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Whilst speed is of importance, The Bouthieb Initiative considers welfare and all round horsemanship are equally crucial in endurance riding. The scoring for the Best Endurance Challenge Award is designed to reflect this, with its tough recovery criteria – principally a heart rate of 56 bpm and 10 min. presentation time. The return to natural tracks brings a further dimension to the Challenge and on the evidence of last weekend we hope to see further progress for the rest of the season.

His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan intends to present two High Point Awards at the end of the season for the Rider and the Horse and Rider Partnership, which have collected the most points in Best Endurance Challenge rides throughout the season.

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Source and photos: Leigh Young