UAE: Stage Set for UAE Cup

Khaleejtimes.com

6 February 2009

ABU DHABI - The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup endurance ride will be held on Saturday at the Bou Thib Endurance Village, Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi, a press release said.

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, in cooperation with the Emirates Heritage Club, Abu Dhabi, is organising The President Cup for Junior and Young Riders. Over 50 youngsters have already confirmed their participation for the CEN-JY, Two-star, 120-km ride, which will be run in five phases of 30 km, 30km, 24km, 20km and 16 km respectively. The ride will begin at 6.30am.

The day will also feature two Federation Qualifying rounds of 44km and 80km respectively which has attracted a field of over 90 riders. Qualifying riders are organised by the UAE Equestrian Federation every week to enable the riders to qualify to participate in longer-distance rides.

All the rides on Saturday will be held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Emirates Heritage Club.

Shaikh Abdullah bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Shaikh Saqr bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Ali Ghanim Al Marri, Khalifa Ghanim Al Marri, Rashed Salem Mohammed Al Faresi, Mohammed Hatim Jumaa Al Junaibi, Hussein Ali A Marzouqi, Uma Mencia Uranga, Hamdan Mousa Mohammed Ali Hammadi, Hamad Ibrahim Abdullah Al Marzouqi, Naser Khamis Ali Saeed, Rashed Ahmed Al Baloushi, Abdul Aziz Salemeen Al Ameri, Ahmed Saeed Mohammed Al Faresi, Nasser Khjamis Al Saeed are some of the contenders for the juniors championship.

The Emirates Heritage Club is closely involved in the development of several traditional and cultural activities and sports in the country, including endurance riding.
The club also provides vital training facilities for children in the UAE. The opening of its modern and excellently planned endurance village has been welcomed by the equestrian fraternity as an important step in the development of endurance riding in the UAE.