Mira brings laurels to nation
ABU DHABI: Riding 9-year-old grey gelding Sarab from Al Azem Stables, Mira Jasim Mohammed Al Ansaari scored a smart win in the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance Cup (For Private Owners) CEN 100 Km Endurance Ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Lady riders from several countries including many from hosts UAE competed on horses owned by Private Owners and small stables in the 100-km ride that was held in four stages of 40kms, 25kms, 19kms and 16kms.
Mira, who was 8th after the first 40 kms, gradually moved into 5th place after the next 25 kms. She increased her pace in the third loop and finished first and then maintained that lead over the final stage of 16 kms to win in three hours 47 minutes 14 seconds at an average speed of 26.40 kmph.
Ireland’s Ellen Marie Mcauley on Alemendra JV finished second about three minutes behind the winner while UAE national ladies team rider Shathra Al Hajjaj was third on Make A Wish Al Maury. French rider Tiffany Nicolas on Safar and Karen Gomes of Argentina on Koela De La Dour finished fourth and fifth respectively making it a good event for foreign lady riders.
The top four riders won a car each for their effort while the riders who finished 5th to 10 shared a prize fund of Dh 450,000.
Noora Al Suwaidi, Secretary General, UAE General Women’s Union, Chairman of the UAE Women’s Sports Committee and Member of the UAE Olympic Committee, Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and others sponsors’ representatives attended and gave away the trophies and awards.
Suwaidi hailed the success of the two UAE riders in the top five and added that the international lady riders also impressed in the event which carries the name of 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.