Dubai: The newly-instituted Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup FEI CEI 2-Star 120km endurance will have an inter-stables competition when the ride is staged for the first time at the Dubai International Endurance City this Thursday.
Each of the 20-odd major stables in the UAE can field a maximum of four riders or a minimum of three who will also be competing in the open individual ride. Smaller private stables and individuals can also form joint teams and participate in this ride.
The winning stable will be decided after tabulating the times of the top three riders from the team.
In addition, the Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum Challenge, a CEN 102km endurance ride will also be held on the same day. This ride will be restricted to private stables and individuals so as to give them a better platform to participate and qualify for the bigger events.
"We already have huge fields for both these rides," stated Ali Mousa Al Khamiri, the general manager of Dubai Equestrian Club.
"There are a lot of horses in the UAE right now and they want to compete. The second ride is supposed to give local riders more of a chance to qualify to the bigger events," he added.
The 120km ride already has 148 entrants who are confirmed, while the second ride meant for private stables and individuals has 89 horses confirmed so far.
The closing time for the acceptance of entry forms for both these rides 12 noon today.
There are attractive prizes on offer in both rides with the 120km winner driving away with a Range Rover, the second placed rider getting a four wheel drive (4WD) Lexus and the third placed rider winning a Land Cruiser.
The top three among the best conditioned horses will get a Nissan Patrol, Dh20,000 and Dh10,000 respectively.
Riders from the top stable of the day will earn special gold medals and share a total of Dh100,000, while riders from the second best stable will win Dh70,000 and silver medals. The third-placed stable will get Dh50,000 and bronze medals.
"This ride will be held at the same time every year from now on," said Salem Rashid Gadayer, the racing manager for Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
"It will be held one or two days before the Dubai World Cup and we will get better and grow each year," he said.
The pre-ride briefing will be held at the Vet Gate at 5.30am on March 26.
