The UAE's endurance riders might have to draw on their experience on European courses to overcome the expected soggy conditions at two simultaneous events today.
The CEI two-star ride at Dubai International Endurance City sees a strong team of UAE riders led by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Minister of Defence, and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The 120-km event will be the final competition ahead of next month's World Endurance Championship on January 27 and both Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Mansour have qualified to compete.
Today's ride in Seih Assalam is being held at the same time as the 120-km CEI two star ride in Bu Deeb Endurance Village.
About 50 riders are expected to start the Bu Deeb ride, organised by the Emirates Heritage Club (EHC) under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of EHC.
Apart from Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Mansour, the other top UAE riders at the Dubai ride are Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum and Princess Haya Bint Hussain of Jordan.
"The climate is very different to the one experienced by the riders in the events prior to this and it will be different again during World Championship," said Esmail Mohammad, trainer of endurance horses for Shaikh Mohammad.
"It is raining now but hopefully it will stop. In any case, most of our riders are experienced in rainy conditions, thanks to their success in Europe," said Esmail, who has been involved with most of the triumphs carved out by UAE riders.
"Some of the horses that have qualified for the World Championship will also be running tomorrow. However, more than the horses, the riders will also be using tomorrow's ride to get themselves fit," he said.
The Dubai ride is being sponsored by Banat Al Reeh magazine and will be run in five stages of 32km, 32km, 27km, 18km and 11km. About 65 riders are expected to start at 6am today.
A total of Dh220,000 will be on offer for riders in the Bu Deeb ride which is expected to start with about 50 riders. The winner will receive Dh50,000, and a trophy while the first three riders and the three best conditioned horses will also receive trophies and prize money.
Quite a few riders who compete will also be awarded prize money in the 120-km ride, which is the first open ride to be held here at Bu Deeb Endurance Village. The ride is sponsored by Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
"We only hope there will be no windy conditions tomorrow," said a ride official.
