The Sheikh Mohammed bin Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for Private Owned Horses will kick start three days of intensive action at the mirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi.
At a press conference held at the Eastern Mangroves Hotel, Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Federation, gave details of the three rides.
“The Sheikh Mohammed bin Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for Private Owned Horses on Friday will be run over 10 0-kms and so far around 50 have entered for the ride. An amount of Dh 350,000 will be distributed to all riders who finish the race while the winner will get a Nissan car,” Al Nuaimi said.
“The Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Festival will see over 150 horses compete in the 120-km Two Star ride on Saturday,” he announced. “The winner will get a car while all those who finish the ride will get a slice of the Dh 400,000 on offer,” Al Nuaimi said.
“The third ride to be held on Sunday will be the Giants Endurance Challenge, over a distance of 120 kms and with a total prize money of DH 500,000 plus a Bentley car for the winner and two more cars for the second and third-placed riders,” Al Nua imi said.
Lara Sawaya, Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and Head of Ladies Racing in IFAHR said, “On Friday the venue for the Sheikh Mohammed bin Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for Private Owned Horses will be named ‘Mohammed Football Wathbaland’.
“While the horses and riders will be competing on the loops outside the venue, inside there will be a few small football courts where around 30 boys in the age group of 6 to 8 years will play football games,” Ms Sawaya said.
“Five of these kids will be selected=”true”=”true” and will be awarded two Emirates airline tickets for them to be accompanied by an adult each to watch AC Milan, a club sponsored by Emirates, play a game. They will be given a few days free stay at the ‘Four Seasons’ Hotel in Milan and will get to meet the star players of the club and enjoy the facilities there,” she added
“It will be a family day out and three children from the public will also be awarded three pairs of tickets (through a raffle draw) to see a match in Paris by Paris St Germain, another club sponsored by Emirates airlines. They will stay at the |Four Seasons in Paris,” Ms Sawaya added.
Ali Al Muhairi, Racing Manager for Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Dep uty Ruler and Minister of Finance, said, “The Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Festival is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan. We are expecting a strong competition.” He also announced DH 10,000 to be distributed to four families who attend Saturday’s ride, encouraging complete families to come for the event.
Talal Al Hashemi, Abu Dhabi Sports Council representative said, “We are always supporting equestrian sport and with three rides for three different categories it will be an exciting three days.”
Mubarak Rashed Al Nuaimi, director of Promotion and Overseas Offices at Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority said, “All such activities which attract international riders as well as visitors is a boost to our economy and also puts Abu Dhabi on the world sporting map.”
Nadim Lahad, manager (Abu Dhabi Branch) Emirates airlines, “Our support for equestrian events along with other sport is well known and we are happy to be involved with the sport of endurance.”
Nafez Abara, project manager, SAS Investment, “We are proud and privileged to be part of these rides and we thank Sheikh Mansoor for giving us this platform.”
Abdul Karim Fairouz, general manager, Al Awani Enterprises Establishment, “As a leading name in equestrian business we are happy to be involved and support these prestigious endurance rides.”
Stephen Bowey, Executive Director (Corporate Development), Invest AD, “This is the fourth year that we are supporting the activities of HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival and almost every week they come out with something new.”
The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as the official carrier and sponsored by Invest AD, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Mauzan, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2013, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
