MRM Stables aim to defend Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup

Dubai: MRM Stables will look to defend their crown in the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, the feature of the 17th edition of the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival at Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC) in Seeh Al Salam, to be held from January 7-11.

MRM Stables claimed a sensational victory in the last edition, courtesy Saif Al Mazrui and his mount Magic Glenn Torque.

M7 Stables got last year’s festival underway winning the Ladies event after Shaikha Ahmed Al Shehhi’s success aboard Waterlea Sikorsky, while the Private Stables competition was won by SS Stables’ Uruguayan rider Bryan Ferreira partnering Mario. Al Wathba Stables are holders of the Yamamah Endurance Cup for Mares having claimed the trophy after Abdul Rahman Al Ghailani’s victory on the back of SV Jessica.

All of the UAE’s leading long-distance stables and riders will be seen in action at four-day festival, organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club in association with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation. The Festival is one of the most prestigious events on the annual endurance calendar of the UAE, with the cream of Emirati riders locking horns with some of the best UAE-based international riders.

The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival comprises four rides starting with the 101-km Dubai Crown Prince Ride for Ladies on January 7. The Ladies event is followed by the 101-km Dubai Crown Prince Ride for Private Stables, which runs over the identical course on January 8. The third ride on the programme is the 120-km Yamamah Endurance Cup for Mares on January 9, while the fourth and final competition is the showpiece Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, sponsored by Emaar Properties (120km), on January 11.

Endurance riding requires rider-horse pairings to traverse extreme distances across challenging terrain, with the competition intensifying as tactics come into play even as the mental and physical demands of the sport test both rider and horse. With rider and equine welfare paramount, each of the rides on the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival are contested over a four-loop course.

Speaking of the event, Sheikh Rashed Bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Equestrian Club, said: “The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival is one of the most sought-after events on the global endurance riding calendar.

“With four rides on the programme, including the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, the festival pits the best riders and horses against each other and the results have been there for all to see. We’ve had some terrific finishes over the years with none of the teams giving even a little away and going all out to win.”