Big prizes on offer at Abu Dhabi women’s race

Gulfnews.com

Top competitors from the region will compete in event to mark UAE’s 41st anniversary celebrations

Staff ReportPublished: 18:09 November 29, 2012

Abu Dhabi: As part of the UAE’s 41st anniversary celebrations, the Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival will be staging one of the richest endurance events for women riders on December 1.

At a press conference to announce the event in the capital on Thursday Lara Sawaya, Director of the Festival and Head of International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) Ladies Racing said a vehicle and Dh800,000 would be up for grabs in the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance Cup.

“The event is being held under the directives of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs,” she announced.

“The 90km CEN ride is open to lady riders from Arabian countries and 19 riders from GCC and other Arab countries like Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Syria, Tunisia, Sudan and Jordan will be competing in what is richest event for a ladies endurance ride,” she said.

“This is the first time that riders from Arab countries like Tunisia and Algeria are taking part and this event will provide a huge boost to the lady riders practising the sport,” Sawaya said.

“Seventy lady riders from the UAE make it a 90-strong field and the ride will kick off to a mass start on Saturday,” she added.

“All participants and officials will attend a gala dinner tonight (Friday) after the preliminary veterinary check and we expect a large crowd of fans to encourage the lady riders and celebrate the UAE National Day,” Sawaya said.

The riders will have to negotiate four loops of 30kms, 24kms, 20kms and 16kms.