Gulf-daily-news.com
Monday, February 15, 2010
A BRAND new four-wheel-drive vehicle will be awarded to the overall winner of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Endurance Ride Championship on Saturday, Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa announced yesterday.
The decision is part of Shaikh Nasser's approach to add more competitiveness to the upcoming championship, which is one of the major events of endurance season.
The prestigious event, to be held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir and sponsored by telecommunications company Batelco, will be over 100km and features four stages with top riders from Bahrain and the GCC taking part.
The first and second stages will each cover 30km, 24km for the third and 16 for the fourth and final stage. The veterinary examination is set for Friday between 3pm and 5.30pm.
Meanwhile, Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation's (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa gave his directives to the organising committees' members to step up their preparations.
Shaikh Khalid, who was recently crowned winner of the King's Cup ride which headlined a glittering equestrian festival, said the event is featuring men's and women's rides.
"Endurance activities in Bahrain enjoys the whole hearted support of His Majesty King Hamad," said Shaikh Khalid.
The Breef's chef said by visiting the championships regularly and extending full support to the riders, His Majesty inspired them to achieve higher goals.
"Without the extensive support and encouragement of His Majesty, this sport in Bahrain would never have reached to this level of professionalism and worldwide recognition."
Shaikh Khalid added that the present weather conditions will assist the participants in completing their respective categories' races.
He said the championship will be organised at halfway stage of the season as riders and horses should be at peak form. Shaikh Khalid extended his appreciation to Batelco for supporting the season events and urged other companies follow suit through sponsoring the federation's activities.
"Endurance riding is rationally known to be the ultimate challenge in this sport-supreme test of horsemanship for the knowledgeable rider, to bring his horse through a hard day of riding over long distance and variable types of terrain," added Shaikh Khalid.
"Endurance riders not only test the stamina of the horse but also the skills of the rider and the support crew."
Shaikh Khalid highlighted the point that endurance riding is a test of discipline, stamina, fitness, strength and patience.
One of the fastest growing sport in the world is the endurance riding.
Bahrain saw the real birth of this sport in its soil on April 7, 2000.
Inspired by the success of the first international championship, the Kingdom began to organise various types of championships from October to May every year.
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