Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be in the fray along with Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum in today's World Equestrian Games Endurance Pre-ride in Jerez, Spain.

Over 160 riders are expected to start the ride which is a qualifier for the endurance event in September's World Equestrian Games to be held in Spain.

Apart From Sheikh Hazza, Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan, the other UAE riders are Mohammed Ali Al Shaffar and Saeed Abdulla Al Ketbi.

In a statement to WAM, Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan Al Nahyan said all the UAE riders had completed their preparations for today's ride.

"Tomorrow's events is going to be very competitive as most of the top riders have entered. The UAE riders will do their utmost to keep the country's flag flying high," he said.

"Endurance in the UAE is always getting bigger, better and higher thanks to the support from the President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan," Sheikh Hazza said.

"All the UAE riders are well prepared and will be adopting different strategies for the pre-ride which is a very important event," Sheikh Hazza said.

The 152-km ride will be run in five stages of 40km, 36km, 30km, 26km and 20km. "The UAE riders went around the route and had a feel of the terrain. It is very tough and challenging," said Sheikh Hazza.

"We can witness various strategies in tomorrow's ride from riders who have come from European countries like Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden apart from Australia, South Africa, Colombia and Malaysia," he said.

Commenting on his own chances, Sheikh Hazza said: "I am not very highly skilled and experienced like many others here but I hope to stay focused and do my best for the country."