Ahmed signals new era in European-dominated event

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, with the UAE flag, the World Endurance Champion's gold medal, the champion's plate and flower bouquet all in hand, stood rather nervously on the podium despite having registered one of the UAE's, Arab nations' and the Asian continent's most historic win.

For one of the youngest-ever champions in the endurance history, Sheikh Ahmed waved to his countrymen after the UAE national anthem was played to signal a new era in this European-dominated World Equestrian Games.

It was a proud moment for the UAE as the triumph was carved out from the games which had a total of 999 riders, 800 horses, 52 countries and 1,300 journalists in attendance!

Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Ahmed and Ismaeel Mohammed, the trainer of the horses of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, were all there with the great Bowman at the awards ceremony.

The fans at the packed Chapin Stadium gave a standing ovation to the winners as they went around the arena on a victory gallop.

And immediately after the ceremony, nearly everyone of the UAE contingent was besieged with questions seeking information on the UAE team. The UAE, Godolphin and the Dubai World Cup, are all very well-known to the flat-racing fraternity.

But this FEI-organised World Equestrian Games draws a totally different pack of scribes. The FEI is the governing body of all equestrian sport except flat-racing.

With Monday's achievement by the UAE riders, the UAE has surely and truly established itself as one of the leading nations, both in the equestrian field as well as flat-racing.

The UAE riders were not available for comment as they left for Dubai. But the silver medallist Antonio Rossi and third-placed Sunny Demedy of France described how tough the conditions were.

"It was very difficult to ride and though I tried my best I could not catch Sheikh Ahmed in the final loop. Probably my weight (95kgs) went against me," said Rossi.

Ismaeel Mohammed, the hardworking trainer of the UAE endurance horses, said it was one of the most brilliant victories, bearing in mind the most difficult conditions.

"All the training of the UAE riders under the supervision of Sheikh Mohammed has paid off. Sheikh Mohammed ensured the riders rode in wide and varied conditions and this held us in good stead on Monday," added Ismaeel, who was also given an award.

The UAE riders will now turn their eyes on the UAE's domestic circuit which in this season has quite a few Masters' rides.