Sebben tops in Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansoor 100-km endurance ride for Private Owners

The Uruguayan pair of Maria Cecilia Sebben on HC Potra Perka and Jonathan Riveria Iriarte on SM Conjeque came up with some fantastic pace in the final two loops to finish first and third in the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup for Private Owners’ 100-km CEN Endurance Ride held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi on Saturday, February 27.

It was the UAE’s Saif Ahmed Al Mazroui on Al Qaher who led after the first two loops  of 40 kms and 25 kms. At that stage, after 65kms in the 100km race, Maria Cecilia Sebben on HC Potra Perka was 8th while Jonatan Rivera Iriarte on SM Conjeque was 11th.

In the third stage of 19 kms, Sebben moved into the top position pushing the UAE rider to second while the ever-improving Iriarte was in fourth place. Seben kept ahead to win the 100-km ride in 3hrs 39mins and 20 seconds while Saif Al Mazroui stayed on to finish second. Iriarte on SM Conjeque made it a 1-3 for Uruguay.

The race was attended by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan who have crowned the winners alongside Mohammed Ali Al Kamali, Deputy Chairman of the Emirates  Equestrian Federation, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Taleb Al Muhairi, secretary general of the Emirates Equestrian Federation and Ms Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of the Int'l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), Chairman of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR).

“I can’t believe it,” said a jubilant Sebben. “I would like to thank the owner Ali Nasser Al Yabhouni and trainer Saeed Suhail Ali Al Yabhouni for trusting me. My horse was in a very good shape and never let me down when I have asked to improve in the concluding stages. He was always going well and the weather was very helpful,” she added.

Ms Lara Sawaya added: “It was extremely a successful event from all aspects. The children were excited and this was the purpose of the race. It was a beautiful family day out. More than 107 stables took part in the race just like the successful race of HH Sheikha Fatma Bint Mansoor ride on the previous day.”

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival 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, IPIC as Strategic Partner, 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 with  and sponsored by Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, 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, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland , 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 2016,  Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival / Satya Narayan
Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf