The UAE has been invited to take part in the Emirates airline CEI 2-star International Endurance Challenge to be held at Punchestown, Ireland on May 19, 2002.

The ride is part of the International Sport Horse Show to be held from May 16 to May 19, 2002. It is being organised by Eventing At Punchestown Limited and sponsored by Emirates airlines.

A strong international field is likely to take part in Emirates Endurance Challenge, which is Ireland's biggest ever endurance competition. The ride will run over 120 km and will form part of the prestigious FEI Emirates Endurance World wide Rankings and the new World Masters Series.

In addition to the Emirates Endurance Championship, the International Horse Show will also include The IFG International Three Day Event, earlier known as The Punchestown International Horse Trials, Grand Prix Show Jumping and The Paddy Power International Hunt Chase Relay competition.

The Federation Equestre International, FEI, has also awarded both the 2003 European Endurance Riding Championship and 2003 European Eventing Championship to Ireland. Both the events will be the feature events at next year‚s International Sports Horse Show which will be held at Punchestown from September 18 to 21, 2003.

At this year's Horse Show, the world's leading horse trial competitors will be competing in the IFG CCIO, three-star International Horse Trials, over a new cross country course being designed by Tommy Brennan, whose European Championship course in 1991 received world-wide recognition and acclaim.

In addition to the CCIO 3-star event, there will be a CCI two-star class and a CCIY, two-star class for young riders. More than 160 riders from all over the world are expected to take part in the events.