Sheikh Rashid gets direct entry for Europe

Defending champion Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum has been given a direct entry for Friday's European Open Endurance Championship in Ireland, which gives the UAE the advantage of an extra rider.

According to the format of the championship, each national federation can field six riders with four of them being eligible for the team championship. Only the host nation, which in this case is Ireland, can enter 12 riders. However, the defending champion is given a direct entry.

Sheikh Rashid won the individual gold in the 2001 edition held in Peruggia, Italy, while Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum finished second to complete a 1-2 for the UAE.

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister then finished 11th and this helped the UAE clinch the team gold for the second successive time. Earlier, Sheikh Mohammed had led the UAE team to the gold in 1999 in Spain-Portugal.

However, if Sheikh Rashid gains entry as the defending champion, then he will not be able to be part of the UAE's four-member team and will have to contest for the individual title only.

The UAE riders have been preparing for the championship by participating in various rides in Europe and a strong team is expected to enter.

Speaking from the Newmarket base of the UAE team, one of the training staff said the UAE horses were all in good shape and ready for the event.

Four horses from Newmarket will be moving tomorrow to Punchestown in Ireland, the venue of the championship.

Two Australian, three French and one US-based horse will join these four and the horses will begin training from Tuesday, the official said.

This year's European Open Championship will be over a distance of 160 - kms in Punchestown about 50kms from Dublin in Ireland.