Gulf-daily-news.comJuly 21 2012
THREE of Bahrain's most prominent riders will be in action today at the 120km Endurance Horse Ride at Compiegne, in France.
After their heartbreaking finishes at the recently-organised Endurance Horse Ride in Poland where riders were forced to make consecutive withdrawals, the Bahraini team hope to make a solid comeback today.
Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad will lead the Bahraini trio in today's ride. The remaining two are Raed Mahmood and Abdulrahman Al Saad.
It will be the second event for Al Saad, while Mahmood has been with the team since the start of their European tour in June.
The Bahrainis are currently preparing for the FIA World Endurance Championships 2012 that will take place at Euston Park near Thetford in the UK on August 25.
Shaikh Nasser said the team is keen to take advantage of today's ride ahead of the world championships, which will be over 160km.
In the world championships, featuring a total of six stages, riders from 44 countries from all around the globe are due to take part.
The Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee said the Royal Endurance Team will be the main sponsors of the Compiegne Ride.
Meanwhile, in line with Shaikh Nasser's directives, a Bahraini team of juries will be assisting the organisers at the race.
They include technical director of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation Haider Al Zubi, who arrived along with Dr. Abbas Al Haiki, Mohammed Dadulla and Dr Mohammed Al Hammad of Saudi Arabia.
The decision to have several members of the Bahrain ground jury at this ride was to take advantage of conducting one of the ideal races in Europe held under suitable weather conditions.
On their part, the jury members expressed thanks and appreciation to Shaikh Nasser for this gesture. They also noted the continued support of Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa throughout the season.
