UAE: HH Sh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Featured in CNN Video

CNN
January 21, 2013

Endurance racing in the Dubai desert

Francesca Cumani embarks on a 4X4 vehicle to track the competitors' as they take up the challenge of long distance racing


http://edition.cnn.com/video/?hpt=imi_t5#/video/sports/2013/01/21/winning-post-cumani-endurance-wrap.cnn

The FEI "Helmet Rule" at a Glance

THE FEI “HELMET RULE” AT A GLANCE

Starting 1 January 2013, the use of a properly fastened Protective Headgear will be mandatory while riding on the show grounds (article 140.1, General Regulations).

* This rule applies in all Disciplines

* “Protective Headgear” is defined as “appropriate helmet or Headgear that is in compliance with the applicable international testing standards” (Glossary, General Regulations).

* Failure to wear Protective Headgear where and when required after being notified to do so by an Official, shall result in a Yellow Warning Card, being issued to the Athlete.

In the field of play, the sports rules apply, and each Discipline has its own rule rules. See this page for details.

UAE: Jaume Punti and Maria Alvarez Featured in CNN Video

CNN
January 18, 2013

CNN's Francesca Cumani visits two endurance legends to find out more about the makings of a champion in the short video, "The Arabian horse: King of endurance". Featured are trainers Jaume Punti and multiple World and European Endurance Champions Maria Alvarez and Nobby, and the 2012 World Endurance Champion Intissar.

http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/sports/2013/01/18/winning-post-arabian-horses-endurance.cnn#/video/sports/2013/01/18/winning-post-arabian-horses-endurance.cnn

UAE: CNN films Dubai Endurance race

Digitalproductionme.com

by Chris Newbould on Jan 20, 2013

CNN has been filming in the region this month, when the documentary ‘Winning Post’ showcased an unusual race of 160 km, the HH Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, taking place at Dubai International Endurance City.

CNN's Francesca Cumani headed to the desert to meet with the horses, riders and trainers. With 40 percent of its registered riders being female, the sport is hugely popular amongst women. ‘Winning Post’ gathered with a small group of Emirati female riders and discussed the race as well as looking into how they took up the challenge of long distance racing.

2012 Round-the-World Endurance Riding Slideshow

January 17 2012

Leonard Liesens and Caroll Gatelier of Endurance-belgium have travelled around the world to experience the different flavors of endurance riding.

They created a slideshow showcasing these events from Europe, the USA, China, Russia, the UAE and Bahrain. It features several championships, including the Young Riders European Championship in Belgium, the European Championship in France, and the World Endurance Championship in Great Britain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KY-nE1EaVsE

UAE: Mohammed attends Endurance race

Gulftoday.ae

By Ahmed Tariq
January 20, 2013

DUBAI: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, witnessed the sixth edition of the Endurance race championship (Cup Mohammed Bin Rashid capacity) held at the Dubai International Endurance, along with Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, and Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and president of the Olympic Committee of Bahrain on Saturday.

Winners

Abdullah Ghanim Al Merri retained the title for the second time in a row, after clocking a time of 6:01:19 hours on “Blaine” from Nad Al Sheba stables, a difference of only one second from Saeed Ahmed Al Jaber Al Harbi, who came second on “Eclipse” of Stables team Fazza, while the third winner Italian Marco Sardo, clocked a time of 6:05:13.

For Abdullah Al Merri Cup champion the race came too hard at all levels especially the third stage in which his horse "Blaine" was nervous but he overcame this hurdle, getting better from one stage to another and making the final stage easier than the first four stages.

Merri followed the directions of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, which had a positive impact on the progress gradually from the back where he started the race in 16th place.

He then climbed to eighth place before falling to ninth in the stage before last where he jumped back to the third place before attacking a lead in the final stage. The champion revealed that this race was the first win of “Blaine” who gave a good performance.

He continued, “I am trying to win the title for the third time next year, while my next goal is to participate in the Cup of His Highness the Head of State and compete for the title.”

Second-placed Saeed Al Harbi was pleased with his rise to the podium in the Cup Mohammed Bin Rashid Endurance Cup, explaining that before the start of the race he did not expect to achieve this accomplishment, especially with the horse “Eclipse” racing in the 120 kilometres. “It was the first time Eclipse ran in the 160 km race, so I did not expect to complete the race,” he said.

For Al Harbi the third stage was the most difficult because of the strong competition between the jockeys and the entry of a large number on the last leg of the race, but managed to continue with the convoy and won the second place, one second behind the champion.

“This is the best result for me this season and I hope to achieve more accomplishments in the upcoming races this season, highlighted by His Highness the President Cup state,” he said.

Mohammed Issa Alaill, Deputy Director General of Dubai Equestrian Club, said: “The race saw a wide participation of the elite riders in the world for endurance, but the high level and determination by the riders of the state reflects their eagerness to compete strongly to win the trophy.”

He added: “Today’s race is the longest and the highest rated in terms of agenda of the Dubai International Endurance International Union, and suited for historic wins.”

UAE: Riders ready for Dubai endurance

Gulf-daily-news.com

January 19, 2013

THE Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup is all set to take place today at the purpose-built Dubai International Endurance City Course in Dubai.

More than 160 riders, including 15 international stars from Bahrain, the UAE and overseas, have enrolled for the sixth annual endurance championship. They are scheduled to compete over a 160km course.

Commencing at 6am (Bahrain time), the race is organised and hosted by the Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC), and presented by Longines.

Spearheading Bahrain in today's ride is the Royal Team, captained by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The Bahrain riders in the fray are Jaffer Mirza, Raed Mahmood and Abdulrahman Al Zayed. The Bahrain team is being managed by Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan.

This FEI-approved ride will be divided into five stages with the horses rested and refreshed after each stage.

Royal Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, along with other Bahrain riders and team officials, arrived in Dubai earlier this week along with their horses and equipment.

They visited the race venue yesterday where the horses also underwent a veterinary exam yesterday to determine if they meet the physical standards to continue at the next stage.

After the completion of each stage, the horses are rested and refreshed and undergo a veterinary exam to determine if they meet the physical standards to continue to the next stage.

The horse that finishes first, as well as all finishers, must successfully complete a post-race veterinary exam to determine they did not fail to meet the physical standards set forth by the sport.

It is only after the final veterinary exam that the official order of finish is determined and announced.

The race will be broadcasted on www.endurancebh.com, providing live updates of each stage, which is in line with the directives of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Last year, the race was won by 17-year-old Abdulla Ghanim Al Marri who claimed a 27-second victory over Bahrain's Ahmed Abdulla Al Hazza. Marri created a record by becoming the youngest winner of the event.

Race details were revealed during a press conference in Dubai. It was attended by deputy general manager of DEC Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, who told media persons that the international riders include three-star winners from Italy, UK, US and Australia. The prize money will be decided before the race, Adhab informed.

The trophy was also unveiled in the presence of Mahdi Al Basti, board member of DEC, Adhab, and Juan Carlos Capelli, vice-president of international brands, Longines.

Adhab expressed appreciation to our presenting sponsor, Longines, a distinguished brand that has been a major supporter of equestrian sports in Dubai.