Royal Windsor spoils shared between two nations
RESULTS

The second running of the Royal Windsor Endurance 120km CEI** competition resulted in a win shared by HH Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain and HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum of The United Arab Emirates. The two competitors are brothers in-law, the former being married to a sister of the latter, and a joint win allowed family pride to be more greatly spread.

May 16, 2014 - http://www.rwhs.co.uk

Since the seventies the Royal families of the UAE and UK have enjoyed a cordial relationship and this was very much in evidence during the Royal Windsor Horse Show, a prestigious international sporting and social event, being held on the private grounds of Windsor Castle.

Friday’s highlight of the annual, five-day extravaganza which first began in 1943, was the 120km CEI ** Royal Windsor Endurance ride which took place at the centuries-old Windsor Great Park.

The event, which attracted 44 competitors including top riders from the UAE, Bahrain and the UK, saw Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain finish joint-winners.

Holding hands triumphantly, the brothers-in-law crossed the line in a time of 4 hours 52 minutes and 30 seconds.

Cheering them on from the Royal Box was His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who also participated in the ride before he withdrew, Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

“We wanted to make both fathers happy – His Majesty King Hamad and my father-in-law His Highness Mohammed Bin Rashid – by crossing the line together,” said HH Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad, who was riding Onirik de Becheral. “He [Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, riding Yamamah (Kurrajong)] was four minutes ahead of me and when I caught him up we had a bit of a chat. We decide to grab hands and cross the line together.”

The start of the ride was blessed with warm early-morning sunshine as a field of 44 started out on the first loop. The course included a stretch on the turf in front of the stunning Ascot Racecourse Grandstand, before sweeping around the edge of WindsorGreatPark. The three loops that followed took in iconic landmarks within the park, including Jubilee Statue, Prince Consort Statue and The Long Walk, and also treated riders to spectacular panoramic views of the beautiful Berkshire Down and Windsor Castle.

The victorious Sheikhs had been part of the leading pack from the outset. They had broken away from the rest of the field quickly, but their stronghold became particularly evident by the second loop. Towards the end of the race, the leaders, who were predominantly the winners’ fellow countrymen, were averaging speeds of over 24km/h, with the winning average speed recorded as 24.615km/h.

“It was a great race for me, particularly as I was eliminated last year,” said Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamed after finishing. “I loved the race, the track and the competition.”

Sheikh Hasher Bin Mohammed Thani Al Maktoum took third for the UAE with Satanik Larzac, while Bahrain claimed fourth and fifth courtesy of Yacoon Yousif Yacoob Al Hammadi (Plage El Milora) and Hood Ebrahim Ali Husain Bucherri (Sheer Arleta FL Ewalraid).

The highest placed Brit was Harry Ingram, who finished 12th on Bronze Nahdir with an average speed of 21.445km/h.

There were 30 completions over all.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show, which concludes on Sunday, also encompasses international dressage events, a Carriage Driving Grand Prix and over 100 showing classes, displays from The Household Cavalry and The King’s Troop, Pony Club Mounted Games, as well as military competitions such as Skill at Arms, Tent Pegging and Best Turned Out Trooper.