Dubai: Next month’s UK Endurance Masters presented by Longines, will be staged under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The August 18-20 ride, which has the potential to become the most significant endurance event in Europe, is the third leg of His Highness’s Cup. The previous two legs were hosted in Spain and Italy.

Organisers of the Euston Park Endurance rides have announced that the investment in the UK Endurance Masters, including prize money and participation support, will be 2 million euros (Dh8.5 million), making it the world’s best supported endurance event. The competition will be centred on the FEI Best Condition Award, maintaining the emphasis on horse welfare.

The event aims to put the UK Endurance Masters on the international endurance map and firmly in the annual calendar.

The three-day competition will include state-of-the-art facilities and other attractions to attract a new audience to the sport. Staged across some of the best endurance tracks, the competition offers riders the challenge of a variety of terrains through Suffolk and Norfolk.

Organisers have already received 130 entries from 16 countries and that number is expected to rise given the attractive financial incentives on offer. The aim is to attract competitors from five continents.

Alongside the prize money, there will be a range of financial packages to make the ride more accessible to UK and international riders. There will be a finishing bonus (after passing the final vet check) for those completing the ride and a variety of horse and rider travel expenses: free entries and generous contributions to ferries, stabling, accommodation and mileage add to the attractiveness of competing at the Masters. One of the aspirations is to grow the sport amongst grass root participants.

Eligible entrants will be competing in the following rides: CEI1* 80km, CEI2* 120km, CEIYJ2* 120km and CEI3* 160km. National classes are scheduled for August 20, giving UK national riders the unique opportunity of experiencing a world-class track and facilities.

With new classes likely to be introduced in the next couple of days, more entries are expected but definite entries are open until August 11.