Bahrain: Riders ready for junior endurance

Gulf-daily-news.com

MORE than 60 riders are in the fray for today's 120-km Junior Endurance Horse Ride Championship at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.

The championship, organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef), is the third event of the season.

Entries from different stables in Bahrain have confirmed their participation in the ride, including the Royal Endurance Team, Al Mugheirat Stable, Ahmed Al Fateh Stable and Al Asayel Stable.

Salman Al Rumaihi from Al Mugheirat Stable said his riders are confident of accomplishing remarkable results in today's first ride for juniors.

He said the team members have been training since the start of the endurance season and are looking for a podium finish.

Al Rumaihi thanked Supreme Council for Youth and Sports president and chief of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Haamd Al Khalifa for his continued support to endurance riders.

On his part, Royal Endurance Team's coach Abdulrahman Tayem expressed satisfaction over the training programme of his team competing in the junior ride.

He said that the team had been working hard in the past few weeks and the Royal Endurance Team's young riders are very keen to participate in such events which is a good opportunity for them to gain experience.

The 120km ride comprises five stages, including 30km each for the first and second stages.

The third stage will be over 25km, the fourth will be 20km and the fifth and final stage 15km.

An additional qualifying ride will take place on the occasion. The ride, which is open for young riders seeking experience, will cover a total distance of 85km.

It will be divided into three stages with the first being over 30km. The second is also set at 30km while the third will be over 25km.

Meanwhile, Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Shaikh Nasser visited the endurance village yesterday and witnessed the veterinary examination.

Shaikh Khalid said the federation has always been seeking the development of riders and endurance horse ride in the kingdom.

He admired the level of competition during the season's early rides, adding that more excitement is in store in future events with top stables from across Bahrain keen to take part.

The veterinary examination was held from 4am to 5.30am at the veterinary area in Sakhir. The organisers also announced that the maximum weight of the rider should not exceed 70kg, including the saddle.

Breef's general secretary Ghaleb Al Alawi was named technical representative for today's ride, while the veterinary committee is headed by Dr Ebrahim Yousef.

Other committee members are Dr Mohammed Al Hammad, Oman's Dr Thani Al Shakili, Dr Mohammed Al Dhaen of Saudi Arabia besides Dr Khalid Ahmed, Dr Abbas Al Haiki, Dr Ebrahim Yousef, Dr Sabah Al Kaabi and Dr Abdulrahman Abulshouk, all of Bahrain.

Mahmood Abdulsaheb was appointed chief steward, Mohammed Abdulla is the chief referee with Abdulsamad Al Busta, Mahdi Al Kelaiti, Fahad Al Rumaihi and Haider Al Zu'bi being the other referees.