The third edition of Toscana Endurance Lifestyle, sponsored by Meydan Group and Azizi Development, came to an end on Sunday with UAE riders topping the charts.

The UAE riders won the CEI2 120km, CEIYJ2 120 km and the CEI2 Ladies 120 km rides, while finishing amongst the top three in the other two rides of the Italian Leg of the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Festival, a Press release said.

The two-day festival took place on July 15 and 16 at the magnificent San Rossore Estate and racetrack in Italy.

On the first day, three events were held with UAE riders grabbing top spots in two events.

The winner of the CEIYJ2* 120 km ride was the rising UAE star Hamdan Ahmad Mohd Al Marri, who successfully defended his title.

The teenager had also won the prestigious Gamilati Cup in Dubai early this year.

Alia Ahmad Mohd Al Saboori, aboard Za'amah, won the CEI2 Ladies 120 km, with compatriot Ayesha Darwish Ahmed Al Romaithi coming in third.

The third ride, the CEI1 81 km ride, of the first day was won by India's Ugam Singh Bairisal Singh aboard Magic Glenn Avelina with UAE rider Essa Salem Khamis Al Shair coming in second.

The second day featured two key rides, the CEI2 120 km and the CEI3 160 km.

UAE's Mansour Saeed Mohd Al Faresi aboard Magic Glenn Tayla took home the trophy in the prestigious event. In fact, the top six finishers in the ride were all from the UAE, reflecting the growing standard of the sport in the country.

The CEI 3 160 km event went to Algerian rider Mohammad Aida aboard Tahar Du Barthas.

The pair began slowly, finishing the first of six loops in tenth place. But as the ride progressed, they made their way towards the top of the group finally winning the title.

UAE rider Hamad Obaid Rashed Al Kaabi from the MRM stables gave Aida a brave fight in the final moments of the race, coming in second position.

Brigadier Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, general manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, was delighted with the performance of the UAE riders.

"We are inspired by the remarkable success of the third running of the HH Endurance Cup Festival as part of Toscana Endurance Lifestyle, and we are confident that we will be able to continue to build and grow this competition," said Brigadier Mohammed Essa Al Adhab.

"In keeping with the vision and support from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, our main objective is to provide UAE riders greater international exposure, and build the sport locally and internationally," he added.

"With a record number of entries this year, we can see competitors are keen to participate in this prestigious event, and moving forward, it is a great motivation for us."

Source: Khaleej Times