Dubai - Arab Today
Dubai Crown Prince HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, winner of individual gold medal in the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy, France, attended yesterday the closing ceremony of the biggest equestrian event in the world.
During the event, Sheikh Hamdan was crowned champion after finishing first in a field of 173 riders from 47 nation.
The WEG's higher organising committee congratulated Sheikh Hamdan for completing the gruelling, 160-kilometre race in 8 hours, 8 minutes and 28 seconds. Sheikh Hamdan dominated the race from start to finish, riding mare Yamamah to first-place in every single phase and winning the gold with ease.
On this historic, sport achievement, Sheikh Hamdan dedicated the landmark equestrian victory to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the U.A.E. people.
'The U.A.E. lead in the international equestrian championship is a source of proud to the Arab and not to U.A.E. alone,' Sheikh Hamdan said.
The awarding ceremony was also attended by HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, CEO of Meydan, and a crowd of endurance race enthusiasts and fans.
Celebrated every four years, the World Equestrian Games are undoubtedly the biggest equestrian event in the world. The Altech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy draws over 1000 finest athletes to compete against each other in the 8 official Federation Equestre Internationale disciplines: Jumping Dressage Eventing Driving Reining Vaulting Endurance Para-Dressage.
Source: WAM