Milena Mendez dominates 120km Ladies Ride at endurance festival

Prodigious endurance rider Milena Mendez set the tone for the 19th His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival, demonstrating skill, strategy, and stamina to win the festival's opening event at Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Al Salam on Tuesday.

- Leslie Wilson Jr [e-mail]

Murwais Azizi, founder and chairman of Azizi Group, presents the winners with their silverware in the presence of Ahmed Rashed Al Kaabi, general manager of Dubai Equestrian Club; and Dr Ghanem Al Hajri, secretary-general of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation.

Riding in the Ladies Ride sponsored by Azizi Developments, the Argentina-based rider overcame an early deficit aboard the M7 Endurance Stables-owned and trained Goldstream to dominate the gruelling 120km four-loop course, finishing more than three minutes clear of a strong field.

Endurance riding, often described as the equestrian equivalent of a human marathon, challenges both horse and rider across long distances, testing resilience, pace management, and partnership with your horse.