Mohammed leads strong squad

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, leads a strong team of riders from the UAE who are expected to dominate the fifth running of the 120-km Wadi Rum Endurance Ride.

This event gains added importance after it was named as one of the three Masters Endurance events to be staged in the Middle East, the other two venues being Egypt and the UAE.

The event, which was won in 1999 by Sheikh Mohammed, has attracted over 110 riders from Syria, Kuwait, Sudan, Palestine, Germany, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Chile, the UAE and hosts Jordan.

Organised by the Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation (RJEF), Princess Alia bint Al Hussein, RJEF President is head of the Organising Committee.

RJEF Press Officer Sinan Nashashibi said tomorrow's ride has one of the biggest total prize money on offer in an equestrian event in Jordan.

"A total of 400,000 Jordanian Dinars has been allotted to the riders who successfully complete the 120-km event," he told Gulf News yesterday.

While Sheikh Mohammed will be starting out to defend the title he won last time out here, Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, will be looking for his second win in a row after winning the Al Ahram Endurance Ride in Egypt before Ramadan.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the reigning World Junior Champion will also be in the fray, while the one rider that most will be waiting to see is the new world champion, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Ahmed, who created history after winning the World Endurance Championship at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, will be making his first appearance since that famous win.

Faisal Seddiq Al Mutawa, Sultan bin Sulayem, Saeed Abdullah Al Ketbi, Mohammed Ali Al Shafar along with some more riders will constitute the UAE challenge.

Hosts Jordan, who are growing into a major force in the region's endurance scene, are expected to enter around 70 riders.

"Some of our top riders who will be participating are Mohammed Abu Homara, Mohammed Ibrahim Hassan, Subhi Khaleel Al Gawarsha," Nashashibi added.

"The RJEF has a lot of experience in organising international equestrian events. In the past we have organised the seventh International Equestrian Championship, The Middle East Championship and the 14th Arabian Horse Show," he said. "Jordan, like the UAE, has a strong association with horses," he added.

The 120-km ride, which is being sponsored by Emirates airline, will be run in five stages.

Fact file

Ride: Fifth Wadi Rum International Ride
Venue: Wadi Rum, 67 kms from Aqaba
Status: FEI Masters Series Ride
Total riders: Around 120
Distance: 120 kms
Stages: Five (30, 25, 33, 17 and 15kms)
Prize money: 400,000 Jordanian Dinars
Start: 7.00 am (9.00 am UAE time)