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Shaikha Latifa wins another silver for UAE

It was a Red Letter day for the UAE at the 16th Asian Games at the Guangzhou Equestrian Centre in China as the country’s ace jumper Shaikha Latifa Al Maktoum won silver in equestrian individual jumping.

Riding Kalaska De Semily, her favourite 1998-born stallion, she jumped two impeccable rounds with no penalty points. She challenged the Saudi Arabian riders Prince Khalid Abdul Aziz Al Eid and Ramzi Hamad Al Duhaimi in the jump-offs to decide the final medallists.

In the jump-off, Shaikha Latifa went through the 10-hurdle course without knocking off any hurdle, the same as Ramzi Hamad Al Duhaimi.

However, the gold went to Ramzy Hamad Al Duhami as he completed the course in 48.53secs, a mere 0.15secs faster than the UAE rider’s 48.68secs.

On Monday, Shaikha Latifa had successfully led the country in clinching the silver in the jumping team event. Shaikha Latifa partnered with Kalaska for both the events.

The UAE team members were Shaikha Latifa Al Maktoum on Kalaska, Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum on Dubai’s Pride, Shaikh Majid Al Qasimi on Co-Jack and Ahmed Al Junaibi on P. Wodeina.

Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, Secretary General, Emirates Equestrian Federation, was ecstatic over the second silver for the UAE in jumping team. “I am at a loss of words to express my happiness over this tremendous achievement by Shaikha Latifa. She put up a brave show and fought for her silver with world-class jumpers. Our efforts have borne fruits.

“This again shows the meticulous training and planning by the Emirati riders who have now become a team to reckon with in the international equestrian scene.”

He again thanked President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the UAE’s success and expressed his gratitude to the President for his encouragement to the youngsters in all sporting disciplines. He also thanked the EEF Chairman Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan who left no stone unturned to ensure that the UAE equestrian riders get maximum training and practice to face international competitions and come out with more bouquets.

james@khaleejtimes.com