UAE: Over 100 riders to battle it out for honours

Gulfnews.com

By M Satya Narayan
March 11, 2009

Abu Dhabi: Over 100 riders are expected to take part in Saturday's ADIHEX Emirates Championship 119-km endurance ride to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, director general of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, said the ride was being supported by the Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX), Sorouh Real Estate, and the Breeding Stables in Normandy of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

"More than 100 riders have entered and the winner will drive away with a 4WD car. From the second-placed rider onwards those who finish in the top will get a slice of Dh400,000 on offer as prize money," Al Nuaimi said.

Abdullah Al Qubaisi of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, who will be staging ADIHEX later this year, said, "Horse sport is an important part of the UAE's culture and we are glad to be involved in this event."

Al Qubaisi also introduced Captain Edward Olver, who will command The Musical Ride by Household Cavalry, making their Middle East debut in Abu Dhabi ADIHEX to be held between September 30 and October 3, this year. "It is a bridge between two cultures," he said.

Also speaking at the press conference was Sorouh's executive director of projects, Fahad Al Katbi, who said: "Sorouh's sponsorship of equestrian events in the UAE is part of its responsibility to the community. Through our broad range of sponsorship programmes we are working to support activities that contribute to the welfare of the community."

Abu Dhabi Sports Council's secretary general, Mohammad Al Mahmoud, said: "The ADSC is playing an active role in bring various domestic and international events under one umbrella to ensure better co-ordination and cooperation."

"We take this opportunity to announce that the Breeding Stables in Normandy owned by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has emerged as the leading stables for Purebred Arabian horses in Europe for the fourth consecutive year," said Lara Sawaya of Tasweeq Management.