Adnan's Diamond Secures Union Day Endurance Cup Victory in Showjumping

Rider Masa Adnan won the UAE Union Day Endurance Cup after completing a grueling 120-kilometer race at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. The competition drew 218 riders from various stables and equestrian clubs across the UAE, making it one of the country's largest endurance events.

What makes Masa's victory remarkable is how she climbed from 14th place to first over four stages. Riding "Tonky," a horse owned by Al Wathba Stables, she started poorly in the opening 40-kilometer leg, finishing 14th with a time of 1:23:48. But she steadily improved, moving to 6th place after the second stage (35 kilometers) at 2:35:54, then jumping to 2nd after the third stage (25 kilometers) at 3:25:27. She finally took the lead in the final 20-kilometer stretch, finishing with a total time of 4:02:31.

Abdullah Abdulrahman Al Bastaki came second on "Bilio Markan" from MRM Stables. His race followed a similar pattern of improvement, starting from 33rd place and finishing with a time of 4:07:09. Omar Mohammed Al Neyadi rounded out the podium in third place riding "Van La Majorie," completing the course in 4:07:10 after leading briefly during the third stage.

Endurance racing has grown significantly in the UAE over recent years, with the country becoming a major hub for the sport in the Middle East. These multi-stage competitions test both horse and rider stamina over long distances, requiring careful pacing and strategy. The sport attracts significant investment from local stables and has helped establish the UAE as a center for equestrian excellence in the region.

The results show how endurance racing rewards consistency and tactical riding rather than pure speed. Masa's comeback victory demonstrates the importance of managing your horse's energy across multiple stages, something that separates endurance racing from other equestrian disciplines.