Bahrain: Riders gear up for Endurance

Bahrain Gulf Daily News Article

Riders gear up for Endurance
Published: 13th March 2008

Endurance.Net Coverage

RIDERS from Saudi Arabia and Jordan have confirmed their entries for His Majesty King Hamad's Endurance Horseride Championship scheduled for Saturday at 5am at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

Among the prominent riders from Saudi Arabia are Prince Abdulla bin Fahad Al Saud, Humood Al Shimirri, Nawaf Al Otibi, Abdulla Al Bahyan, Bader Misfir and Mansoor Al Shimirri.

From Jordan, six riders are in the fray. They are Jehad Shaltoogh, Lorance Al Fayez, Subhi Khalil, Shakeeb Wahbi, Musamah Balawna and Abdulhamid Al Saleh.

The event consists of races for senior and junior riders, both over 120km. Each race will be divided into five stages with 30km for the first two stages, 25km for the third, 20km for the fourth and 15km for the fifth.

Veterinary examination is scheduled for tomorrow, starting at 3pm at the veterinary area at the village. The examination will continue until 5pm.

The organisers are presently preparing the endurance village for the prestigious event by installing new facilities like the a special stand for the podium.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Hashim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa said that the development made by the equestrian sport achieved by this sport on the international level is a result of the directives and efforts of Shaikh Nasser.

He said these directives and encouragement have put the equestrian sport on the world map through the achievements made over the last few years.

"Bahrain's endurance horseride sport has made large strides, taking it beyond the local and Gulf geography and recording unique and brilliant results for Bahrain in the world circles all within a period of not more than eight years since the Royal Equestrian Association was formed," said Shaikh Hashim.

"The keenness and follow-up of Shaikh Nasser and his judicious leadership of the federation has put the equestrian sport on the world map in record time, making it a competitor to be reckoned with against Gulf championships and on international levels."

Shaikh Hashim said Bahrain has proved its ability also to stage and organise the strongest championships and to compete in them at the same time, adding that the world at large has seen the World Junior Championship which has won high praise by all teams participating in it, in addition to the successful annual organisation of His Majesty King Hamad Championship in which all champions from the Gulf countries participate.

He added that Bahrain is also able to organise the World's Senior Championship, given its potential which contributes to the success of the event.

Shaikh Hashim said that His Majesty the King's directives and constant follow-up of the equestrian sport is a strong moral support for Bahrain's riders.