Alia praises UAE riders

Princess Alia bint Al Hussein praised the brilliant display by the UAE riders and congratulated General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum after their win in the fifth Wadi Rum International Endurance Ride here yesterday.

Speaking to Gulf News immediately after the ride, Princess Alia said it was a fantastic effort. "As you know we enjoy a very close friendship with the UAE and their victory in today's international ride makes us very happy," she said.

Commenting on the UAE riders' performance she said, "Obviously the presence of riders of such a high calibre is a great boost for us. The presence of the UAE riders in Jordan over the last few years has helped in a big way," she added.

"We have had a few FEI rides before but this has been an outstanding event. It helps when people praise this ride and the presence of riders from many parts of the world is an encouraging factor," Princess Alia said.

"We also hope to organise the Wadi Rum ride in a bigger and better way in the years to come," she said.

"Princess Haya (bint Al Hussein) has put Jordan on the world map with her efforts in the show jumping event and we hope to do well in endurance also," she said.

Princess Alia is the President of the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation, the organisers of yesterday's event here about 70km from the port city of Aqaba.