Issue No. 611
Sports
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7 - 13 November 2002 Issue No. 611 Sports |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Recommend this page | ||
Mansoura and Reham
REHAM Ashraf El-Qallah, 15, was by far the youngest competitor in the race. Her Mansoura -- whom she has been training for almost two years -- is the centre of her life. Unlike other teenagers her age -- who are engrossed in make- up and singers and clothes -- Reham thinks of nothing but her horse; 11-year-old Mansoura that belongs to the Police Academy, the team Reham rides for.
Reham and Mansoura, a promising pair
When they first 'met', Reham shares, their characters matched, they clicked, and a lifetime friendship started straight away. Three times a week, for three hours after school, Reham and Mansoura share. And Mansoura, she says, supports her with all her woes. In return, when she's out on her teenage shopping sprees, Reham puts Mansoura before herself. She brings her carrots, sugar and always forgets her sun block.
Reham, who weighs only 45 kg, reveals that she had to gain 30kgs to be able to join the third Al-Ahram Al-Arabi International Horse Endurance race given the 75kg minimum weight requirement in senior competitions. The extra weight was certainly a burden, but she managed, getting through three loops of 80.5 km -- a distance which none of her team completed.
"I can really feel Mansoura now," said Reham hugging Mansoura after the race. "I felt she wanted to complete the race but I had to stop her for her sake and she liked my decision."
Why, though, a horse?
Her father, Dr Ashraf Al-Qallah, is a Vet in Equine Epidemiology Diseases and the only international vet in the International Equine Federation. Her mother, Dr Malaka, is a vet as well and a referee in the race. Her grandfather, Dr Fouad, is an international referee in show- jumping and a referee in the endurance races. Her sister is a show-jumping champion.
Makes sense; it's in the genes.
What, though, keeps a young girl like herself going and committed and disciplined to her horse?
"The first lesson I learnt was that a horse, mainly an Arabian, will take care of its owner as no other horse will," she says. "For it has not only been raised to physical perfection, but has been instilled with a spirit of loyalty unparalleled by that of any other breed. If you're looking for a companion who'll be your partner in adventure or competition -- and your friend for life -- then a horse, especially an Arabian, is for you."
Reham chatted, and laughed, and shared openly and willingly with both her fellow riders and the press. At the end of the day, however, she walked off, side-by-side, with only her best friend.
My diary:
At 3:30 the alarm rings, shattering the silence, awakening me from my dream of a vast desert, a horse and the sky. In five minutes I am up and dressed. I am excited and ready to race.
We drive through the streets in silence, pass by the stables to pick up my horse, and I shower her with hugs and love.
We are at the race and ready. After being checked by the Veterinary Commission, we take off. It's 6am.
After every loop, we enter the vet gates. Mansoura is healthy and happy. We pass the tests.
Different colours mark the five loops where we enjoy the panoramic, historic view. I am reminded again of the greatness of my country.
It gets hotter, but with Mansoura I feel I can do anything.
At the end of the third loop we say our good- byes to the participant. We have completed what we could and had set out to do. We did not receive a prize, but we were honoured for our first achievement in an international race. I am happy.
Back to the stable, a good clover meal, a chat in the stables, a night hug. I am happy. Mansoura and I must rest from the race and get ready for our next big event.
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