Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival: Hamda and SW Hinkul land showpiece honours

DUBAI (ALETIHAD)

When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and Hamda Ahmed proved her mettle amply late on in the flagship event of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival at Dubai International Endurance City.

Hamda had done well during the course of the day to move up consistently on the leaderboard, but the rider from Al Bawadi Stables was still placed 10th going into the final loop of the 160-kilometres Endurance Cup, the main event of the Festival.

It was clear either a miracle or a gargantuan effort was needed for Hamda to overhaul the rest of those ahead of her and success miraculously became a reality following a sublime effort from her mount SW Hinkul.

Ensuring her 12-year-old gelded partner would pass the vet examination at the end while having to ride hard was always going to be difficult to juggle. However, backed by a solid team, Hamda did just that to win well, completing the six-loop ride in a time of six hours 14 minutes and 19 seconds (6:14:19) at an average speed of 25.65 kilometres per hour.

Hamda was 36 seconds clear of next-best rival, the F3 Stables rider Maitha Al Qubaisi, who was timed at 6:14:55 aboard Casino. The ladies were followed home by the MRM Stables's Mansour Al Farsi and his mount Tatarinu. The third-placed pair were timed at 6:15:22.

Hamda began the day placed 24th at the end of the first loop, but gained ascendancy with absolute consistency over the next four sessions to reach 10th going into the final loop over 20km. There, she revved up her partner in a calculated manner and easily overcame her challengers to win the biggest prize of her career.

The Festival is one of the most prestigious competitions on the world endurance calendar and is organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club.