UAE to stage three major endurance rides in Italy

Abu Dhabi: The HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival will stage a series of endurance rides including the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance CEIO Cup for teams in Verona, Italy, later this month.

Details of the events, which will take place under the directives of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, were revealed at a press conference during the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) 2015.

The rides, which will be part of the Italian Endurance Festival, comprise the FEI World Championship for Young Horses (Under 7 years) on September 26 and the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance CEIO and the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival Cup rides on September 27.

Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the Shaikh Mansour Festival, confirmed that in 2016 the Festival will join hands with the sport’s governing bodies in France and Portugal to stage the same events in Negrespelisse, France, and Portugal during April and September respectively.

“In 2017 the festival stages the World Championship for Young Riders in Verona, Italy,” Sawaya said.

Italian official Diego Albieroe added: “We are honoured to be part of the Festival. These races are fundamental and crucial for the development of the sport and the promotion of tourism and business in Italy and the future of the young riders themselves.

“We have received 102 entries so far for the international championship and 10 riders will be flying the UAE flag in the competition. On September 22, there will be an international news conference to announce the details of the races.”

Sawaya also announced the Festival’s UAE team of riders.

The UAE riders in the CEIO Cup (for teams) are Afra Al Suwaidi, Aisha Al Romaithi, Alia Khafaji, Shatra Hajjaj and Aryam, while Khalifa Al Jahouri, Ahmad Al Dahim, Suhail Al Junaibi, Rashid Al Junaibi and Mohammad Humaid Al Nyadi will represent the UAE in the men’s competition.