Dubai The focus will be on riders from GCC countries when the HH Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival hosts two endurance rides this weekend at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.
The CEN 120-km Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge will be held on Friday, while the CEN 120-km Emirates Championship (Open) will be held on Saturday.
Highlighting details about the rides Adnan Sultan Al Nuami, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club said: “The CEN 120-km Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge is an Open ride, but only riders from GCC countries will be considered for the prizes.
“The three top riders from Gulf countries will win a 4WD vehicle each, while the fourth and fifth finishing GCC rider will get Dh100,000 and Dh90,000 respectively. “Another Dh40,000 will be distributed for those GCC riders finishing 6th to 10th, while all the other riders who complete the event will get a share of Dh30,000,” he added.
“The Emirates Championship CEN 120km (Open) event will see the top six riders driving away with a 4WD vehicle each.”
Lara Sawaya, executive director of Shaikh Mansour Festival added: “We thank Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance for his constant support of endurance riding and other equestrian sport.
“We also thank Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs for his support.”
The HH Shaikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society.
It is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carrier.
Invest AD, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2015, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Centre, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and Racing Post are the sponsors.
