Friday, December 12, 2008

Bahrain: Riders for UAE event

Gulf Daily News

ROYAL Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and a group of Bahraini riders are set for a new challenge today, when the first round of the 120-km Endurance Horseride Grand Prix gets underway at 5am (Bahrain time) at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba, in Abu Dhabi.

Top riders from Bahrain, the UAE, and other invited guests will line up in the first of a three-race series, being organised for the first time by the Bahrain Royal Endurance Federation (Breef) in co-operation with the UAE Equestrian Federation.

Riding Omsura Nasrohn, whom he steered to win the Opening Season Championship held last month, Shaikh Nasser will lead the Bahrainis' hopes in this prestigious event which is only open to riders of 75kg weight and above.

Shaikh Nasser, the Breef president, will be joined by the federation's first vice-president and captain of Al Khaldiya Stables Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Other Bahraini riders in the fray are Shaikh Salman bin Saqer Al Khalifa, Abdulhaq Qadoori and Ghazi Al Dossary.

The Bahrainis will face a stern test in this race where they compete it out with the region's best riders, including those from the UAE.

Prominent riders from the UAE will be Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, his son Shaikh Hamdan and UAE's vice-president, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai besides Presidential Affairs Minister Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Nasser and members of the Bahraini riders underwent training yesterday at the race venue.

During their practice session, the Bahraini riders met with the UAE team members, including Shaikh Hamdan, who welcomed the Bahrainis and wished them the best of luck.

Both Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid were also present at the veterinary examination held yesterday to follow up the procedures and approve their participation in today's race.

This race, which coincides with the National Day Cup scheduled for the same day, will be divided into five stages.

The first stage will cover 32km, 30km for the second stage, 24km for third, 18km for the fourth and 16km for the fifth.

After this event, riders will then travel to Bahrain next month for the second round, to be held at the International Endurance Village in Sakhir on January 10 next year.

The third and final round of the series is scheduled for February 28 next year at Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Assalem.

The overall winner of the series will accumulate the highest number of points. The top 10 riders in each race of the series will gain points.

The organising committee earlier approved the points system for the series as the winner in each round will be awarded 100 points.

Eighty points will be given to second place, 70 for third place, 60 for fourth, 50 for fifth, 50 for sixth, 30 for seventh, 20 for eighth, 10 for ninth and five points for 10th.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Bahrain: Riders ready for Grand Prix race

Bahrain Gulf Daily News

SHAIKH Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa arrived in the UAE to lead Bahrain's top riders in tomorrow's first round of the 120-km Endurance Horseride Grand Prix at Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba, in Abu Dhabi.

Commencing at 6.30am (Bahrain time), the race will be one of three races in the 75-kg body weight series to be organised for the first time in the region with riders from Bahrain, the UAE and other invited guests in the fray.

Shaikh Nasser, the Bahrain Royal and Equestrian Federation (Breef) president and Royal Endurance Team captain, will be joined by Breef first vice-president and captain of Al Khaldiya Stables Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Leading prominent riders from the UAE will be Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE's vice-president, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai besides Presidential Affairs Minister Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Tomorrow's race will be divided into five stages - 32km for the first stage, 30km for the second, 24km for third, 18km for the fourth and 16km for the fifth.

Bahrain will host the second round, to be held at the International Endurance Village in Sakhir on January 10 next year while the third and final round is scheduled for February 28 at Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Assalem.

The overall winner of the series will accumulate the highest number of points. The top 10 riders in each race of the series will gain points.

Approved

The organising committee approved the points system for the series as the winner in each round will be awarded 100 points.

Eighty points will be given to second place, 70 for third place, 60 for fourth, 50 for fifth, 50 for sixth, 30 for seventh, 20 for eighth, 10 for ninth and five points for 10th.

Tomorrow's first round will coincide with the National Day Cup which is scheduled for the same day.

Both events were announced during a Press conference in Abu Dhabi.

It was attended by Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club director general Adnan Al Nuaimi, Hydra Properties chief executive officer Dr Al Fahim and managing director of Tasweeq Lara Sawaya, announcing the 37 National Day Cup and Giants Endurance Challenge.

Al Nuaimi said Hydra Properties and Shaikh Mansour's breeding stables in Normandy, France have joined hands to sponsor and support both races.

"It is also our privilege to collaborate with the Breeding Stables in Normandy, France, owned by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in sponsoring these two endurance rides and other events this season," said Al Fahim.

Al Fahim said that is the first time that Hydra Properties has been involved with the National Day Cup which is one of the most important events and most of the top riders in the UAE will be there to add to the prestige of the event.

"Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's breeding stables in Normandy, France is supporting the National Day Cup and the Grand Prix as part of its promotional campaign," said Lara.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

South America: News from Enduroonline.com

News from Enduro On Line www.enduroonline.com.br

RESULTS:
- Brazilian Championship CEN*, CEN** and 6ª round of Brasilia Championship

- Argentina Championship 120 km and 160 km and Cazón International Ride

- Endurance La Costa Atlantica, Costa Azul - Rocha, Uruguay

2010 WEG- Radio interview with USEF Endurance Director Vonita Bowers



The longest and most grueling equestrian sport and also one of the fastest growing, that's Endurance. Join us today as we speak to Vonita Bowers, Director of Endurance for the USEF about the sport and what we can look forward too in 2010. We also have lots of WEG news for you this week including paintings, winning geldings and cool WEG websites. Listen in...

2010 Radio Show Episode 15 - Riding for Endurance:

http://2010radioshow.horseradionetwork.com/2008/12/09/2010-radio-show-episode-15-riding-for-endurance/
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Bahrain: First of Grand Prix Series at Al Wathba







The first rides of the 120-km Grand Prix series will be held this Saturday. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, head a strong list of riders in the 120-km Giants Endurance Challenge to be held on Saturday at Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

This event will be the first in a three-round 120-km rides promoted by Bahrain's Shaikh Nasser, who will also be participating. The second event will be held in Dubai, and the third and final will be in Bahrain.

The championship was recently announced by Breef president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa at a Press conference held at Banyan Tree premises in Sakhir.

"This is a new idea of having Grand Prix endurance races like in the Formula One and it's just a beginning to have two countries hosting three different rounds," said Shaikh Nasser who confirmed his participation in this prestigious event.

"We are planning to have this championship on an annual basis and hopefully more countries will be included in the future," said Shaikh Nasser.

Shaikh Nasser said Breef will be inviting top officials and riders from all over the world as either participants or guests to witness this year's event. He added that this year's championship is expected to finish before March.

The Breef chief said the rider to accumulate the highest number of points at the end of three rounds will be crowned overall champion.

"It doesn't matter if you take part in one, two or all three races to win this competition. The idea is to get more points to become the champion," added Shaikh Nasser.

"The Grand Prix is open to all riders of all nationality. All are welcome to take part," he said.

In this specialised category of riding, every rider must weight 75 kgs or above without riding equipment and must be registered with the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Shaikh Nasser said the federation decided to organise this championship after it was approved by the FEI last year.

photos: Press conference announcing Grand Prix competition












UAE: Mohammad in Giants Ride even

photo: Adnan Sultan (right) Director-General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Dr Al Fahim, CEO, Hydra Properties and Lara Sawaya, managing director of Tasweeq announcing the 37 National Day Cup and Giants Endurance Challenge.

By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
Published: December 10, 2008, 23:40

Abu Dhabi: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, head a strong list of riders in the 120-km Giants Endurance Challenge to be held on Saturday at Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.

The Giants Ride is the first of the three rounds in the 75-kg Body Weight series and Saturday will also see the prestigious 120-km National Day Cup also being staged at the venue.

Hydra Properties and Shaikh Mansour's breeding stables in Normandy, France have joined hands to sponsor and support the National Day Cup and the Giants Endurance Challenge.

As well as Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Mansour, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority will also be in the contest. Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamed Al Khalifa and Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamed Al Khalifa are the two top riders from Bahrain who will stage the second round of the Giants Challenge.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club said: "The Second Round will be held in held in Bahrain on January 10, 2009 and Dubai will host the concluding race on February 28, 2009."

"It is also our privilege to collaborate with the Breeding Stables in Normandy, France owned by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in sponsoring these two endurance rides and other events this season," said Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, CEO, Hydra Properties

"This is the first time that Hydra Properties has been involved with the National Day Cup which is one of the most important events and most of the top riders in the UAE will be there to add to the prestige of this event," he said.

"Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's breeding stables in Normandy, France is supporting the National Day Cup and the Giants Endurance Challenge as part of its promotional campaign," said Lara Sawaya, managing director of Tasweeq.

"The campaign to promote Shaikh Mansour's breeding stables started with the Sorouh Cup Endurance Ride last month and will become more prominent as the season unfolds and will be associated with various equestrian events," she added.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Italy: European Championship, Press launch in Paris


In front of the French specialized Press, Assisi Endurance Lifestyle presented its rich and prestigious progam of events planned for the next September.

Full Report on Endurance.Net

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