UAE: Endurance ride for ladies to be held on Friday

Gulf News article
By M. Satya Narayan Staff Reporter
Published: February 04, 2008, 23:31

Photo: Sorouh Salem Juma Al Ketbi (left) President of Al Asayel Endurance village Organising committee and Lara Sawaya of Tasweeq announce the Endurance Ride at Al Asayel Endurance Village at Le Royal Meridien hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi: The Second Round of the Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Challenge endurance ride for ladies will be held on Friday and will be followed by two endurance courses for FEI judges at the Al Asayel Endurance Village (AAEV) in Sweihan, Abu Dhabi.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Salem Al Ketbi, AAEV Organising Committee President said Friday's event is expected to provide some exciting fare as the tussle for overall champion enters a crucial phase.

Friday's 100-km ride will get off to a mass start at 6.30am and the ride will be run in four loops of 30kms, 30kms, 24kms and 16kms. Two Qualifier rides will also be held on the same day.

"We have 14 lady riders from the 31 who started who will be looking to garner some more points in the three-round Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Challenge," he said.

Explaining the challenge, Lara Sawaya, Managing Director of Tasweeq, said "Winners of each round will gain 130 points apart from the first prize money of Dh 30,000.

Additionally, 50 Bonus Points for a rider completing all three Rounds of the Challenge and 100 Bonus Points for a rider that completes all three Rounds of the Challenge with the same horse will be awarded," Sawaya said.

"Another 45, 30 and 15 points respectively for the top three best conditioned horses will also be added while a Dh 10,000 award for the Best Conditioned Horse winner of each round is also on offer," she said.

The Al Asayel Endurance Village in association with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation will also be holding two FEI Courses for Endurance Judges, the first time in the world it is being held only for women, announced Sawaya.

Ian Williams, Director of FEI Endurance will be conducting the courses.

"We have 14 lady riders from the 31 who started who will be looking to garner some more points in the three-round Challenge..."