Consistency remains the cornerstone of endurance riding, and at the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival, Fatma Jassem Al Marri offered a textbook display in the Private Stables competition, guiding Celebryta to a polished and decisive success over 120 kilometres.
Riding for SM Private Stables, Al Marri judged her effort to perfection across the four-loop contest, steadily improving her position before unleashing a powerful finish that left her rivals chasing shadows. The pair completed the demanding ride in 4 hours, 14 minutes and 50 seconds, averaging a brisk 28.25 km/h across the desert track.
Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival: A Ride Built on Patience and Precision
The early stages told a different story. Abdulla Abdulaziz Al Tawash, partnered with Full Options Niellans, set the initial pace after the opening 40-kilometre loop, while Al Marri found herself back in 16th place. It was a position that demanded patience rather than urgency.
Progress came methodically. Over the second loop of 35 kilometres, Al Marri advanced to 11th, trimming the deficit while Saif Juma Al Beljafla moved into the lead aboard JM Jadjmili. By the end of the third loop, covering 25 kilometres, she had climbed further to sixth, positioning herself within striking distance.
The decisive move came in the final 20-kilometre stretch. Starting the loop more than five minutes behind the leader, Al Marri asked for a greater effort from her experienced 12-year-old mount. Celebryta responded with a markedly quicker pace—nearly 8 km/h faster than the previous loop—turning the contest on its head.
In a stirring finish, Al Marri surged past her rivals to secure victory, crossing the line 32 seconds ahead of Ebraheim Ali Sabeel and Farzibus Cabirat, who completed the course in 4:15:22. Suhail Ali Al Ghailani and SW Kulmaalif, representing SS Private Stables, finished third in 4:19:12.
The performance underlined the importance of timing and endurance strategy, with Al Marri conserving energy early before delivering a sustained late charge that proved decisive.
The festival, held in honour of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, continues to showcase top-class endurance talent. Earlier fixtures included the Ladies Ride, claimed by Sara Hasan Ahmed aboard Wayward, and the Al Yamamah Cup for Mares, won by Hamdan Ahmad Al Mansoori on SW Jashfiya AA 50.
The programme builds toward its marquee contest, the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, bringing the curtain down on a week of high-calibre competition.
Ahmed Rashid Al Kaabi, General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, presented the trophies to the winners, marking another memorable chapter in the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival.
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