Kiwi rider David Marshall has finished second in the Emirates Giants Championship on March 8. The FEI CEI Cat. B 120km race was held in Abu Dhabi at Al Wathba Endurance Village.

The field of 46 horses and riders went into the desert at 6.30am with the usual fanfare and entourage of a hundred or more expensive 4-wheel-drives, a normal sight at an endurance race in the Emirates. Tewnty-seven riders were from the UAE, with the balance from other Gulf countries, Europe, Brazil and Marshall, the sole New Zealander. The first leg was 36km with a hold time of 30 minutes.

Marshall was riding an Australian bred horse, Allura Park Star Minoan, a 13 year old chestnut gelding, now owned by Sheikh Hazza bin Zayad Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and trained this season at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club where David, for the past seven months, has been their endurance trainer. Marshall made the first vetgate in 1hr50min, vetting-in in 3:40mins to be in 6th position. This vetgate dropped seven horses from the competition, 2 for metabolics, 3 for lameness and 2 retired. At this stage Sh Mansoor was 9th Sh. Mohammed 16th, Sh Hazza, the owner of David's horse, in 28th and Faisal Saddiq in 30th.

Marshall placed third at the second vet-gate, but vetted the fasted and was first out on the 3rd leg. This vet gate showed the highest drop-out rate for the day with 13 horses being vetted out or withdrawn (6 lameness, 1 metabolic & 6 retired) including the first of the Sheikhs, Sh. Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan. At this stage Marshall's average speed was 19.57kmph.

At the third vetgate the 3rd & 5th place horses move up to 2nd & 1st respectively and Marshall slipped to 3rd but still only 1min31 with only 20km to go.

The final leg in deep soft sand sorted the men out from the boys, and Marshall improved his position to second. The last 20km was run at 23.57kmph by the winner and 22.32 kmph by Marshall with the 3rd horse running at 20.60kmph.

The event was the second event held in the Emirates that has the unique criteria of the rider's bodyweight being 75kg so effectively is catering for the heavier riders.

There is much emphasis and prestige placed on these events for two reasons, one being that the horses carry much more weight than is normal for the UAE and also that HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, sons of the Ruler of the UAE, all meet the required weight criteria. So this race could be compared to that of the equivalent Heavyweight rider category held in Australia.

Also among the competitors was Faisal Saddiq Al Mutawa, the Secretary General for the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation. This was the first time his name had come up in the start list of a competition.

This race was sponsored by Emirates Call, a company owned by Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan. As well as the usual prize money, there were also three vehicles up for grabs -- a Bentley car for 1st place and a Toyota Landcruiser 4WD for second. Also for Best Conditioned was a Toyota Landcruiser 4WD which was won by Faisal Saddiq Al Mutawa who finished the race in 11th position.

Of the 46 starters there were 16 finished, 7 UAE riders, 2 French, 2 Spanish, 2 Indian, 1 New Zealander, 1 Egyptian and 1 from Bahrain.

The race was sure to have been a positive lead-up to the FEI/UAE World Cup later this month, when Marshall will line up at the start on his own horse, Simeon Sadir, who arrived from New Zealand last week as the Kiwi representative. About 40 horses and riders from outside the UAE will compete, along with a further 40 UAE riders. It is an FEI CEI Cat. B, 130km competition. Among those invited from abroad are Valarie Kanavey  and reigning world champion Maya Killa Perringerard of France. Final Results for the 2nd Emirates Giants Championship:     1. Majid Khalfan Al Jahouri (UAE) Espoir d'Aurabelle   6:03:04 19.83kmph Avg. speed; 2 David Marshall (NZL) Allura Park Star Minoan 6:07:26 19.60kmph; 3 Khaled Ghanem (UAE) Doran Park Zatory 6:10:38 19.43kmph; 4. Mubarak Al Arti, Domino, 6.34.37; 5. Khotair Redouane (Mar), Omani Shahzah, 6.34.38.

Best Conditioned Horse: 1. Sun Effendi Nichem (Faisal Seddiq Al Mutawa); 2. Diana de Veynes (Jean-Marie Olivier-Fra); 3. Moka des Pescadour (Marcel Miranda-Esp).

This story appeared in the Khaleej Times of 9 March 2001. Copyright is held by that publication.

Majid claims honours by Amith Passela

MAJID Khalfan Al Jahouri followed up in the trainer-rider brother Ali Khalfan's footsteps by claiming Al Wathba Stables' second win of the season yesterday.

The lanky rider won the second Emirates Giants CEI-B 120km race for riders with a minimum weight of 75kg on home soil at Al Wathba Equestrian Village at Abu Dhabi on a field that included General Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence.

Gen. Shaikh Mohammed, winner of the inaugural Emirates Giants ride at Seih Assalem in Dubai, went out of the race after completing the penultimate stage. His mount, nine-year-old Arab gelding Saint Patrick Z, failed to pass the vet test after coming in at 10th place at the end of 105km.

Majid Khalfan completed the ride on nine-year-old Arab gelding Espoir d'Aurabelle in six hours, three minutes and four seconds to win from Kiwi David Marshall on board Allura Park Star Minoan, who finished four minutes and 22 seconds in arrears.

"I didn't expect to win. My thoughts at the start of the race was to finish among the top 10. However, my hopes of winning appeared bright when I went first into the final loop," said Majid Khalfan, riding in only his fourth race. His elder brother and trainer of the winning horse Ali Khalfan provided Al Wathba's first victory earlier in the season.

Majid Khalfan started the final stage of the race just 14 seconds ahead of Khaled Ghanem on Doran Park Zatory. Marshall was a further 17 seconds in third closely followed by Mubarak Al Arti on Domino and Iranian Reza Abbas Mirza on Omani Shazah (Al Azraq).

"Anyone of the five could have gone on and won the race at that stage," said Majid Khalfan, who kept the grey Espoire d'Aurabelle on the lead throughout the final loop. He was fifth at the end of the first two loops as Marshall set the pace before falling back to third in the penultimate stage.

Marshall, who is set to ride in the Dubai equestrian Endurance World Cup on March 22 on his own horse from New Zealand Simeon Sadir, said it was a satisfactory ride. "My horse stayed well and it was a good pre-race for me for the World Cup in mind."

Arti went on to finish fourth just ahead of Moroccan Khotair Redouane on DJB Conquisador. Faisal Seddiq Al Mutawa, secretary general of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation finished a creditable 11th on his first-ever 120km ride.

"I learnt a lot from the ride in an organising point of view. I must really admire the riders who go through this test. It is really, really tough out there," said Faisal, whose nine-year-old Arab gelding Sun Effendi Nichem was adjudged the Best Conditioned Horse.

Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Al Abar was eliminated in the third vet gate and Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Daviana Zelaam went out earlier from the field of 53 riders.

Results: 1. Majid Khalfan Al Jahouri, Espoir d'Aurabelle, 6hrs 03 mts 04 sec; 2. David Marshall (NZL), Allura Park Star Minoan, 6.07.26; 3. Khaled Ghanem, Doran Park Zatory, 6.10.38;

As I look back over the year 2000 and as it comes to an end. It amazes me to think where the Arabian Horse has taken me. I have always tried to write up reports of my activities to share as they happen but this year someone pushed the fast forward button.

The year started off pretty much as planned, Iris Amann had arrived from Austria on the New Year and proved to a substantial asset. The endurance, judging, show calendar going along as planned right through till March.

Then opportunity, will and chances over took the ordinary. Iris was to have moved on her way to see more of New Zealand and then onto Australia for the Olympics but decided she wished to stay on. By the end of April with the season finished it was clear that more expectations had been meet than planned.

I decided that if it was possible and I could get the support needed, I would have a go at representing New Zealand at the World Championships in France.

At the time I was sitting in 10th place on the FEI World Endurance Rider Rankings and my stallion Simeon Sadir was in 16th place on the FEI World Endurance Horse Rankings, which was way better than imagined. So the nomination was sent to the New Zealand Endurance and Competitive Trail Riders Assn.

Iris returned home to Austria to get herself sorted and returned to apply for her New Zealand residency.

Certainly without her availability along with Jennifer Low and Andrew Collier much of my drive would have failed. It all seemed quite achievable. Wendy Monk a client and friend had appointed herself as fundraiser co-ordinator and the launch of a Travel Fund effort was underway requiring little from the sports administration. Encouragement came from family and friends and doors opened internationally, nothing short of amazing.

I decided to compete at the Australian National 'Tom Quilty' and I secured a wonderful young horse 'Saint' to ride, owned by Gail Holmes from Victoria. It was a true test of endurance for Saint and myself and a pleasant result for everyone concerned. Again this proved to be a fortunate turn as it was here that you see true grit and determination within competition, add experience, catch up with old friends and make new acquaintances. After a successful completion, it was back home before the next planned escapade. The arrangements were falling into place, thanks too, Canterbury Television and McMillian Stock Feeds, a very much appreciated pledge of sponsorship from the Marlborough Endurance Club and a number of private pledges.

Off to Australia again, this time to judge in Queensland, a welcome change of pace and environment. It never ceases to amaze me where your encouragement comes from or in what form, but the support was much appreciated. A very good friend Camille Jackett had arranged a horse for me to ride at the Colo Classic Cat. B. 100km Endurance Championship down in Sydney the weekend next. Winter had set in at home, but everything was ably being looked after, so the plan to go on from the show to compete and then stay on helping Camille with her horses until after the Shahzada at the end of July seemed fine. All went well with an 8th place on Craig and Janet Fleming's lovely mare. This was a great result made even more sweet with my Mum being able to come and help (as always) on her way back from her travels.

The rest of the month progressed well, Camille's horses had already been started and we were able to quickly qualify Camille and her Russian mare to Open during this time. We also started her Russian-bred stallion Greengrove Vussja in his 80km rides. He thought he had died but ended up receiving the trophy for the lowest heart rate recovery of the weekend. Also during this time I received a call from the United Arab Emirates to see if I was in a position to train a couple of horses. I had met them at the 'Tom Quilty' and they knew of my plans. Of course I was very happy to help.

Everything at Holly Farm was progressing with the home crews help and I had been able to secure a horse to ride at the World Championships from England. Wendy and John Farnell had put me onto Simba who had been sold to England after his New Zealand Team Gold, ridden by Jennifer Hearn at the World Championships in 1998. I approached Derrick Francis, his owner who was so generous and helpful. That was another piece of the puzzle in place.

It was about now when I was given the news that I would not be the only one going to France. Mark Tylee had nominated along with Maddona Harris so this meant we would be going as a team with Wendy Farnell able to be our Chef de Quipe. A major turn around for the better.

As the Shahzada was approaching I was asked to enter the two UAE horses as a training exercise and their agents would be coming over to catch up. Some plans are likely to change as you go. Camille was prepared to give it a go on her stallion and I was pleased to end up with another friend, Sue Crockett who I had ridden for in Canberra earlier in the year, able to ride the other UAE horse. Unfortunately not all was successful during the ride but the meeting between myself and the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club representatives finished off with an offer to accept a trainers position in the UAE… What to do?

I gave it some very serious thought and after due consideration I accepted with measurable apprehension. They wanted me to come straight from France at the end of August.

I flew home after the Shahzada on tender hooks and set about making the necessary arrangements. Iris was able to accept a full time position as a help towards her residency and I was off the planet (more than usual). Anyway, there was no way that I could leave and not come back after France so with that obstacle renegotiated, I focused on the World Championships. With the help of Kim Jerrard another client and friend who had appointed himself earlier as assistant fundraiser.

Kim was dragged onto their committee as payment, which I hope doesn't prove to be his only reward for his help. So with a gathering of friends and family whom I hold personally responsible and forever indebted, I was sent on my way first to England and then onto France. I had ten days in England at Derrick and Sue Francis' home in Malvern. They really extended their hospitality and although Simba was kept down toward Weston-Super-Mare under training with Yvonne, the travelling between was the only hassle.

Yvonne kept us on our toes with the training up among the Heather on the famous Mendip Hills over looking Bristol and Cardiff. Having never been to this part of the UK and in the summer it was rather enjoyable. As we approached departure Yvette Vinton arrived from Canada along with Uli Barda-Hare her support friend (groom for a better title) who were also leasing one of the horses.

Altogether we would be taking four horses to France, two for Canada, one for Chile and one for New Zealand. So plenty to do between travelling and exploring Whales and around the associated areas.

Funnily enough, I had tracked Tania Nolan down who had been in England for some time. Tania owns Silver Flame a mare I have on lease and we part-own a couple of other horses just to keep Tania coming home someday. As it turned out she was based just down the road from Malvern at a Wildlife Park, so it was great to catch up and be able to play with snakes and various other wildlife I don't care to have at home, however the Otter was rather amusing.

With the fun parts over we packed up and finally we were off on the experience of a lifetime. Derrick was travelling in a 4X4, Sue in her chariot, Yvette and me with a 4X4 and horsetrailer and Yvonne and Uli with the Lorry. It was very amusing to drive onto a Ferry at Dover in England, driving as at home on the right hand side of the road to driving off the Ferry the other end at Calai in France and drive on the wrong side of the road in the same vehicle.

We arrived and the horses had travelled well, the reality of what we had planned was now very real. The New Zealand team had been appointed their area and we weren't sure how Simba would go being separated from his friends added to the size of stalls and the limitations associated to international competition, it was a constant stressful time.

I was then able to get together for the first time with the rest of the New Zealand team. It was only two days before the competition and very daunting. Everyone had fortunately done their own homework and after a couple of meetings we had the two vet gate and two on-course crews, vehicles and supplies ready. I can honestly say that the way the team pulled together and worked through obstacles was to everyone's credit. Everyone was there as a volunteer or at least at their own personal expense. Ray and Marion Tylee to support Mark along with a close friend Geoff from England, Paul Jeffrey to support his partner Maddona.

Not one person's effort was wasted. The Official opening ceremony was an accumulative thrill. Valerie Kanavey as reigning Individual Champion and New Zealand as reigning Team Champions were introduced with much fanfare and bursts of trumpets. This bought home the fact that this was the year to defend our title. Without taking away from those who were there, a fact that highlights New Zealand's missed opportunity, New Zealand's sport of Endurance and many of it's members to support a Nation wide effort to ensure the best possible defence missed.

Anyway, the horses looked good and continued on from there to go through their preliminary veterinary inspection well. This only left the race to begin the next day. A 164km. course, split into six legs. An official riding weight of 75kg, a maximum veterinary heart rate of 64bpm, a minimum riding speed and a compulsory re-examination before the last vet gate making a total of eight individual vet checks to pass.

It was to be as difficult and demanding as any World Championship. With every crewing area serviced without error and support at the vet gates going smoothly, the team effort was working.

Unfortunately, the ride was taking effect right from the beginning. At the end of the first leg we lost Maddona and Martec at the first vet gate into hold. Mark and Creo Royale were also to become one of the rides victims, but not until the end of the forth leg. It is hard to loose team members as their effort and sacrifice has been significant, their disappointment felt through the whole team. To their credit they held together to the very end.

My horse Simba had his own problems. Not drinking and lacking appetite, although we had worked on these and had improved them their effect would show up again later.

As we set off on the forth leg all was going well. Riding through a French Castle, quaint townships and wonderful forests and open fields, the ride could have been described as magical. The French people were exceptional, clapping and cheering at every intersection and possible vantage point.

"Nue Zeeland, Ouv Wa" awesome without comparison.

The reality was that the ride was a technically demanding competition with many twists and turns, road crossings which needed to be approached with caution along with changing terrain, studded with every natural hazard imagined (bogs, deep sand, rocks, stumps, slides etc.) We rode into the fifth leg knowing Mark was now also out and moral was low. This was a repeat of the arduous third leg, with the addition of the afternoon heat. I became very aware that a completion was not going to come easy. All the support and encouragement available was drawn on. Simba was failing and was in need of the same encouragement.

By now every step was critical and with the addition of the minimum speed becoming an issue, we were along way from completion. The very difficult fifth vet gate arrived and the stress was daunting. Simba passed the 1st examination and was in major need of rest, he was sore and needed sustainance and even more encouragement. Fortunately he found his appetite and relaxed while we massaged and saw to his every need. To everyone's relief he passed the compulsory re-examination in an improved state.