Spanish riders, Jaume Punti Dachs and Alex Moral Luque landed a 1-2 at the 2016 renewal of the Longines FEI World Endurance Championship held at the Samorin Equestrian Centre in Slovakia on Saturday.
Hopes had been high for a UAE victory for the 2014 defending champion, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who had been the long-term leader of the 160km ride.
But it was not to be as his horse, Ramaah, was vetted out at the fourth vet check having displayed an uneven gait during the trot up.
The UAE’s Saif Al Mazroui then took up the running in the final loop but was to be denied when his mount, Napoli Del Ma did not pass the final vet check, leaving the way clear for the Spanish riders.
Winner Dachs, who partnered the grey gelding Twyst Maison Blanche, is a familiar figure in UAE endurance riding having been a long-term competitor and trainer in the emirates.
Dachs crossed the line in 6:46:42, 50 seconds ahead of Luque on Calandria PH.
Bahrain’s HH Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and his horse, Waterlea Dawn Treader, who stopped the clock at 6:49:47, were third in the prestigious race.
More than 130 horse and rider combinations, representing a record 42 countries, entered the competition.
The ride was contested in five loops, running alongside the River Danube and covering distances of 40km, 35km, 35km, 30km and 20km.
