ENDURANCE HORSERACING – His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Bahrain Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa was yesterday crowned champion of the 120-kilometre international endurance ride in Hungary.
The race was part of Shaikh Nasser’s final preparations for the upcoming FEI Endurance World Championship for Seniors, to be held in Monpazier, France next month.
Former Hungarian president Katalin Novak followed Shaikh Nasser’s participation in the race.
The Bahrain Royal Endurance Team commander successfully completed the gruelling stages in a winning time of seven hours, 22 minutes, and 59 seconds on his horse Loukario Desverrieres.
The event featured various challenges due to the difficult terrains of the course, but Shaikh Nasser was able to overcome them and take the victory.
Shaikh Nasser received his trophy for first place from Hungarian Equestrian Federation (HEF) representative Orchidea Mihok, in the presence of other local officials.
Joining Shaikh Nasser on the podium were Bahrain Royal Endurance Team members Mohamed Abdulhameed Alhashemi, who rode Rev Kaiser to second place; and Othman Abduljaleel Alawadhi, who finished third with his horse Saruk Donattela.
Shaikh Nasser stressed that his victory was a great incentive leading up to this year’s world championship, which will be even more difficult with many top-class riders capable of taking the leading positions.
Shaikh Nasser indicated that the Hungarian ride remains one of the most challenging events on the European circuit, given the various terrains across several stages.
Shaikh Nasser explained that yesterday’s race was the last of the Bahrain Royal Endurance Team’s European preparations prior to competing at Monpazier.
Shaikh Nasser praised the ideal organisation of the HEF and the Bahraini officials who participated in the running of the event, including in arbitration and within the veterinary and technical committees.
Shaikh Nasser also hailed the Bahrain Royal Endurance Team riders who took part and excelled in the event.
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