Abu Dhabi: More than 150 riders have confirmed their participation in Saturday’s National Day Cup endurance ride to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.
The National Day Cup is a CEI two-star event with a 16-year history.
Top riders from the UAE and some international riders will run over 120km for a prize fund of Dh500,000. The winner will take home a large share of the total prize money, a four-wheel drive car, a Rolex watch and a painting from the Schubel Gallery.
“We have exerted continuous efforts to implement the directives and instructions of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, to complete all necessary arrangements for this race in order to reflect the honourable image of the UAE, which has become the cornerstone of the equestrian world,” said Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
“I would like to take this opportunity to convey sincere thanks and appreciation to Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the official sponsor of this important event for supporting the equestrian activities. This strong support reflect very clearly through the UAE’s achievements in this noble sport.”
Lara Sawaya, of Tasweeq, added: “We will be having more entries coming in and it should reach the 175 mark. There will also be a team of researchers coming from Liverpool John Moores University, who will address everyone after the race and will brief the jockeys on health aspects.”
Saturday’s ride is due to start at 7am and will be run in five loops of 30km, 28km, 26km, 20km and 16km.
