Bahrain: Bahrain set to host Giant race

Gulf Daily News
January 03, 2010

THE Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) is gearing up to host the second round of the 2010 Giant Endurance Horseride Challenge on Saturday.

The event, one of three rounds this year, will be held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir and covers a total distance of 120 kms.

In last year's Bahrain round of the series, the UAE's Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum raced to victory after a fierce battle with prominent riders from across the GCC.

Breef's president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa has already issued directives for the successful conduct of this prestigious event to be organised by the Kingdom for the second consecutive year.

Shaikh Khalid has also directed the organisers to announce valuable cash prizes to each rider who successfully completes one of the five stages. The top three riders at the end of the championship will also be honoured.

The Breef's chief thanked Unicorn Investment Bank for sponsoring this event, especially its chief executive Majid Al Refai and wished for this support to continue in future competitions.

He said Saturday's ride will be open to everyone, adding that all participating riders must weigh at least 75 kgs without riding equipment.

The third and final leg will be held in Dubai in the last week of this month and points accumulated over the three rounds will decide the overall champion.

In the first round of the series, which took place at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, last month, four Bahraini riders failed to impress.

The Bahrain team were spearheaded by Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa and Ahmed Janahi. All four pulled out at different stages of the ride.

The overall winner in the first round was Majed Al Jahouri of the UAE. He was followed by Federico Zubiaurre of Uruguay in second place while Ahmed bin Harmash of the UAE was third.