Female riders on a countrywide tour to raise cash for charity

Fujairah: Seven young women have embarked on a countrywide tour on horseback during which they will visit all seven emirates to spread awareness of Arabian horse traditions and raise money for charities.

The female riders started their adventure yesterday morning on the east coast emirate of Fujairah and headed to their first destination, Ras Al Khaimah. They will continue to the other northern emirates and conclude their trip at Abu Dhabi.

In each emirate the women will plant a palm tree as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the Arab world to war, famine and disease.

The seven equestrians come from seven Arab countries and are mounting Arabian horses which are widely regarded as among the finest breeds in the world.

The women taking part in what organisers have dub-bed the Love and Faith Trip apparently had to acquire horse riding skills in a short period of time. The women were trained at the Al Ahli Horse Riding Club in Dubai, the main organisers of the trip.

The trip is in honour, organisers say, of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, and his continued work to keep the Arabian heritage alive through his personal dedication and organised events.

Organisers expect the trip to take 15 days and cover about 390km.