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UAE rider gets Silver At Assisi endurance ride UAE endurance rider Sheikh Abdullah bin Faisal Al Qassimi won the silver at the 2009 FEI Open Meydan City European Endurance Championship held on Saturday, September 26, 2009, in Assisi, Italy. Riding Castlebar Sobia, 12-year old Chestnut Gelding owned by Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Sheikh Abdullah finished the 160-km, six-phased ride in 8 hours, 21 minutes and 33 seconds. Current world champion Dubai-based Spanish rider Maria Alvarez Ponton won the first place and the Gold medal riding Nobby in 8 hours, 10 minutes and 58secs. Another UAE rider Mubarak Khalifa bin Shafya on Koum Des Jamets finished eighth but unfortunately Sheikh Majid bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who was astride Spenda Crest Kamouflage, 12-year old Chestnut Gelding, from Al Aasfa Ltd, was eliminated in the final stage. While UAE rider Mohammad Ahmad Ali Al Subose on Kaysand Farrazah too faced elimination before the final phase, Sultan bin Sulayem decided to withdraw when his partner Maddiran was found lame at gate three. Also eliminated was UAE rider Ahmad Salem Ali Sultan Al Subose who partnered Kumait. Over 100 endurance riders from 25 countries took part in the ride with the weather playing hide and seek for almost a week and turning friendly only on the eve of the championship day!   View Photo 1View Photo 2View Photo 3View Photo 4