Abu Dhabi: More than 100 riders have confirmed their participation for the Shaikha Fatma Bint Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ladies Endurance Cup and the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for private owners to be held on Friday and Saturday respectively at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba.

On both days, total prize money of Dh500,000 and a car is up for grabs.

The top-three finishers in the race also get a direct entry into the Shaikha Fatma Bint Mubarak Endurance Championship in Italy.

“Apart from the automatic entry, these top-three finishers will get a chance to go to Portugal and France before heading for Italy’s race. The will also be receiving a specially made gold chain with diamonds and sapphire,” said Lara Sawaya, Director of HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival.

She added that the winner of Saturday’s race will also get a Rolex watch and a chance to go for the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference in London later this year, courtesy Emirates Airline.

Jiu-jitsu championship

A jiu-jitsu championship will also be held on Saturday along with the event.

“For one day, the Endurance Village will be called Mohammad Wathba land. A jiu-jitsu tournament called Shaikh Mohammad Bin Mansour Jiu-Jitsu Championship will also be a yearly affair. The uniform for the bout is also specially designed and will be given to the participant as a token of appreciation.”

The jiu-jitsu competition will be held in three categories and AED20,000 is up for grabs. “These events will be conducted under the aegis of the Abu Dhabi Education Council and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and we appreciate their support. We have already planned to make it a yearly event. The top three winners from each group will also receive an iPad,” revealed Sawaya.

“All the necessary arrangements have been completed as per the directives and instructions of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club,” added Adnan Sultan Sail Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Arabtec is the sponsor for the event and the Director of Communication Ashraf Zeitoun, speaking on the occasion, said: “We are extremely pleased to be a part of the prestigious event that has deep roots in the Arabian culture. We would like to keep our support going in future.”