The UAE ladies team registered a golden double, winning the individual gold as well as the team gold in the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

Supported for the first time by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Ladies Endurance Cup, was held in Europe for the first time.

In Verona in Italy yesterday, the UAE’s Afra Khalifa Al Suwaidi on Rivergum Drifter took the individual gold while the UAE’s Aya Abdulla Redha on Quersick Niellans took the bronze and along with Alia Al Khafajy on Exclusiva (sixth place) managed to pip Bahrain to win the team gold medal.

Ayesha Al Romaithi on TRA Clica finished 18th while the fifth member of the UAE tream, Shathra Al Hajjaj on Eros was eliminated after the third stage as her horse went lame.

Bahrain’s Sheikha Najla bint Salman Al Khalifa took the silver in the individual event and led Bahrain to a team silver in the seven-team competition.

In all, over 70 lady riders from 15 countries took part in the 120-km ride.