Dubai: Competitors in the ninth annual HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, presented by Longines on Saturday, will be vying for the honour to lift a unique trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the renowned 160km contest.
The trophy, created by Royal Jewellers Asprey of London, stands one metre in height and weighs 20 kilograms.
It is topped by a three-dimensional horse and rider - the figure representing the victory by HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. in the 2012 FEI Longines World Endurance Championships held in Euston Park, England.
Shaikh Mohammad’s arm is raised overhead in victory and holds a single .32 carat diamond in his hand.
Featured just below the trophy’s crown is the poem, ‘Entisar’, written by Shaikh Mohammed as a tribute to honour his horse following his famous victory. Expertly engraved in Arabic, the poem is repeated on the opposite side.
The trophy’s body is 85cm and is finely decorated with an Arabesque motif. Immediately below the horse and rider are two UAE coats of arms that face towards the front and back. The design is balanced by a pair of UAE flags prominently featured just below the trophy stem. The stem is adorned with a gold Arabesque motif and crafted from Lapis Lazuli, an intense blue-coloured stone.
Arabic calligraphy, created by Dubai artist, Mahmoud Al Abadi, features on the body of the trophy and provides the event’s title – HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup.
The trophy was handcrafted and exclusively designed by Asprey International Limited who have also designed and manufactured famous sporting trophies like the Race To Dubai trophy and the Dubai World Championship (DWC) trophy.
In addition, Asprey are the makers of the ICC cricket trophies, Wimbledon championship runner-up and winner’s salvers as well as the FA cup trophy and medals.
