Britain: Endurance Team set for UK race

Gulf-daily-news.com - Full Story

22 May 2008

BAHRAIN's Royal Endurance Team arrived in the UK yesterday prior to their participation in the Endurance Championships for the Kingdom of Bahrain Cup scheduled for Saturday near Nottingham.

The team will be led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and features the participation of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, captain of Al Khaldiya Stable which is under the umbrella of the Royal Team.

This prestigious event, featuring 160km and 120km races, will be the second consecutive appearance for the Bahraini team with Shaikh Nasser coming second overall in last year's championship.

Shaikh Nasser said the championships is one of several events in Europe which the team is looking forward to enter as part of their preparations for the upcoming World Cup to be hosted by Malaysia this year in November.

Confidence

"Taking part in these races will give our riders more experience and confidence ahead of the World Cup. The team members have showed performed well during the national championships and now its time to prove themselves on a higher level," said Shaikh Nasser.

"We have been keen to allow all team riders to make this trip and take part in such races which will lift their morale as they prepare to compete with top riders from Europe," he said.

"Our main aim is to take part in 160km races as many as possible as we are hear up for the Malaysian race. Everyone here is determined to put up a good show in this race and continue our serious training ahead of the World Cup."

On his part, team manager Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan said the team decided to start their preparations early this season for the World Cup.

He said the team will be split into two squads with the first taking part in the 160km race while the second will be participating in the 120km event.

Dr Khalid has arranged the shipment of the team horses from France. The horses are expected to reach the UK today.