Rashid lauds organisers

Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum lauded the improvement of the Egyptian horsemen and the organisation of the annual Al Ahram Al Araby Endurance Ride.

"The Al Ahram Al Araby Endurance Ride has won international recognition because of the high standards of competition and the excellent organisation of the event," Sheikh Rashid said in the event's official magazine.

"Despite the fact that the race course is mainly sands and rocks but it does not represent any difficulties for the riders of the UAE because of their vast experiences in this field."

"In all marathon races, the rides should face great difficulties and should be able to overcome these difficulties to emerge winners. It is how the rider and his horse overcome the natural challenges that make the champions in such races." Sheikh Rashid explained.

"We are happy to take part in the Egyptian Endurance Championship and to participate in achieving success to such an important event organised by our brothers in Egypt and we hope to see the equestrian sports spreading in all Arab countries in the near future as we hope to see the introduction of the endurance sports in the Olympic Games very soon."

Sheikh Rashid concluded by confirming that the UAE will provide all necessary support to their Egyptian brothers to gain experience and be able to organise bigger international equestrian events in the future.

The UAE's horsemen have finished all preparations to reconfirm their dominance of the championship according to Hussain Mohammed Hussain, the Secretary General of the UAE Equestrian Federation.

"All our horsemen are ready and all our horses are brimming to go," Hussain told the Gulf News yesterday.

"We are looking forward to winning most of the top positions with the participation of top riders like General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahayn, Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed and the other excellent riders from the UAE."