Bahrain: Riders gear up for endurance event

Gulf-daily-news.com

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

THREE cars will be given away to the top three riders in the Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa Endurance Horseride Championship on Saturday.

The decision was announced yesterday by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation's (Breef) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa prior to the inaugural event of the season.

The ride, set to take place at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, will be over 100km and promises to feature some of Bahrain's top riders representing different stables.

Shaikh Khalid said additional cash prizes will be presented to each rider who completes one of the stages within the ride.

He confirmed that the awards scheme aims to bring the attention of riders in Bahrain to participate in the opening ride of the season, adding that more prizes will be provided in future competitions later this year.

Meanwhile, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president, chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee and captain of the Royal Endurance Team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa hailed the efforts of the federation ahead of the new season.

He highlighted the valuable prizes being allocated in each ride and believes that the season will feature gruelling battle among Bahrain's riders.

The season's opener will be followed by the 120km National Day Championships on December 24 which is open to senior and junior riders.

The Breef Senior and Junior Championships will then take place on January 8, next year, and is over 120km.

The fourth competition on the Breef's calendar will be 120km His Majesty King Hamad Championship, the most awaiting event of the year, scheduled for February 5 and is open for seniors and juniors.

The federation will then organise the Shaikh Nasser Championship on February 19 and is over 100km.

Another Breef event for the seniors and juniors will take place on March 5 and is over 120km.

That will be followed by the 120km His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Cup for seniors and juniors, the first night endurance ride of the season, to be held April 1.

The season is set to conclude on April 22 with another night ride titled the Season Ending Championship, which is over 120km.