Abu Dhabi: More than 70 riders are likely to start in tomorrow's Sorouh Challenge 120-km Endurance Ride, which kickstarts the season at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba.
The annual ride, sponsored by Sorouh Real Estate in co-ordination with the Normandy-based Breeding Stables of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, will be held along with an 81km Sorouh Challenge Ride tomorrow.
Big hit
Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC), said: "Over 70 entries have been received so far for the 120km ride while the 81km event has attracted over 150 entries."
"The total prize money for those who finish at the top is Dh300,000 while the winner will drive away a 4WD car," Sultan said.
"This season we have also decided to award a Rider's and Trainer's overall championship award at the end of the season for their performance here at the Emirates International Endurance Village," the official, himself an endurance rider, said.
Nader Al Aulaqi, Commercial Director of Sorouh, said: "This is the fourth consecutive year that Sorouh is sponsoring this ride and we thank Shaikh Mansour for giving us this opportunity. Last year this race was well contested and this year we are expecting to see a very exciting race as some of the world's finest endurance horse will be competing."
Lara Sawaya, Managing Director of Tasweeq, who also addressed the press conference, said: "The Festival of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Arabian Horse Flat-races in Europe was a huge success last season. We will be announcing the calendar for this season very soon."
