Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, won the opening round of the Giants endurance series, a CEI two-star race over 120km, at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba yesterday.
Sheikh Hamdan, a member of the UAE's gold medal-winning endurance team at the World Equestrian Games in the US in September, rode Naif, a nine-year-old gelding, to victory in over 4hrs 33mins.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, came from far behind to take third place on Dourmane.
Rashid Ali, an Indian rider for the Al Aasfa Stables in Dubai, was second on Kumait.
Sultan Ahmed al Baloushi of the Al Reef Stables retained the National Day Cup, the main race, for a purse of Dh300,000 and a vehicle, also run over 120km.
Al Baloushi crossed the finish line in little over 4hrs 18mins on Trajano, an 11-year-old grey gelding.
He won the title last year on Elphyn Silvermoon.
Ahmed Mohammed al Subosi, on Madji Du Pont, was just under two minutes behind in second place for Emirates Stables.
Yahya Sughayer Ajtebi, on Betshouf, was third for the Al Aasfa Endurance Team.
Sheikh Hamdan had entered in the National Day Cup but switched to the Giants series, which is for riders with a body weight of 75kg and over.
Bahrain's challenge ended early in the race as Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Sheikh Khalid, his younger brother, both were eliminated as their horses, Statesman Of Chevoux and Al Truk, went lame at the end of the third and second loops, respectively.
apassela@thenational.ae
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Naga
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
