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Al Shaqab Endurance Team Successfully Completes Racing Season

Horses and riders of Al Shaqab’s endurance team participated in 18 international races

Leading marathon horses and riders of Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation, have successfully completed a challenging competition season this year, participating in national and international endurance championships. 

Home of the Qatari National Team, the horses and riders of the Endurance Department at Al Shaqab competed in 19 races this year, 18 of which were international. The team also benefitted from an intensive two-month  training camp held in France, designed to help enhance their performance and hone their skills in preparation for the recently held World Championship for 7-year-old horses.

The year began on a winning note, as members of Al Shaqab’s endurance team blazed to success in the CEN 120km category of the 2019 Emir's Sword Cup at Mesaieed, taking the top three positions. Abdulrahman Saad Al Sulaiteen, on Gazelles du Bosphore Ewalraid,won gold, while Khalid Sanad Al-Nuaimi, on Flore de Suleiman, and Fahad Atta Mohammed, on Pacha de Barancon,  claimed the silver and bronze respectively. 

The Al Shaqab team also enjoyed success at the FEI Meydan World Endurance Championship - Young Horses 2019, in Pisa, Italy. Mohammed Khalifa Al Sowaidi and his horse, Sa’ada Al Shaqab, earned a top-10 place in a 120km race for 7-year-old horses, reaping the rewards of the summer training camp held in France

In total, 42 horses and 21 riders from Al Shaqab have participated in various endurance races this year. Endurance racing takes place across deserts or forests and is one of the fastest-growing Fédération Equestre Internationale (International Equestrian Federation) disciplines.