Abu Dhabi: More than 100 riders are expected to take part in Saturday's 120km Shaikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge endurance ride to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, director-general of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, said: "This ride has been a very important event in our annual calendar.
Two-star event
"The 120km event is a CEI Two-Star event and almost all the top riders are expected to take part. The total prize money on offer is Dh400,000, including a four-wheel drive car for the winner."
Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi, racing manager for Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, said: "We have been supporting this ride under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan since 1999 and it has always attracted a good number of entries.
"We are thankful to Shaikh Hamdan, who has always supported equestrian activities in the UAE."
Al Muhairi, who was a member of the UAE's gold-medal winning squad in last year's World Endurance Championship, won the event last year on Fenwick Cadenza.
Lara Sawaya, Director of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, said: "With over 100 entries and very friendly climate, an interesting endurance challenge is all set to unfold on Saturday."
