Emirati riders Salem Al-Ketbi and Mansour Al-Farsi celebrate their 1-2 finish at the Longines FEI Endurance World Championship 2021.

Emirati equestrian champion Salem Al-Ketbi has been crowned winner of the Longines FEI Endurance World Championship 2021, which opened this weekend in Pisa San Rossore, Italy, the Emirates News Agency reported.

Adding to Al-Ketbi’s gold, another Emirati rider, Mansour Al-Farsi, claimed second spot and a silver podium finish, in a field of 80 celebrated international endurance riders from 32 nations.

The UAE has a long and successful track record in endurance sport, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum — vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai — crowned winner of the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championship for the individual and team categories in Suffolk, UK.

Taking part in Italy for the Emirates Knights team was Sheikh Hamid bin Dalmook Al-Maktoum, Abdullah Ghanem Al-Marri, Saeed Al-Owaisi, Al-Ketbi and Al-Farsi.

The team was also supported by Emirati diplomats who attended the race, including UAE Ambassador to Italy Omar Obaid Al-Shamsi and Secretary-General of the Emirates Equestrian and Racing Federation Dr. Ghanem Al-Hajri.