Chopita scores on Tehama Souveign for National Day glory
abu dhabi — Argentina’s Daiana Yamila Chopita riding 12-year-old grey gelding Tehama Souveign won the prestigious National Day Cup 120Km Endurance Ride held on Saturday at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.
The ride was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and other VIP guests.
Chopita came up with a consistent performance to stave off a strong set of UAE riders who took eight of the 10 spots in the 120-km ride which was run in four stages.
Hitting the front early, Chopita and Tehama Souveign, took the lead after the second stage and from there on did not look back to win in 4hrs 16mins 57secs at an average speed of 28.02 kmph.
The next five spots went to UAE riders and Mansour Saeed Mohd Al Faresi (Rakib Nikita), Hamad Obaid Rashed Al Kaabi (Unzo), Saeed Ahmad Jaber Al Harbi (Reagan), Salem Hamad Saeed Malhoof Al Kitbi (Al Theeb) 04:27:40 and Khalifa Mohammed Alkhyeli (Copernico) in that order.
All the top six riders won a 4X4WD car each and were among the 33 who completed the ride from the 156 starters.