February 7, 2014, Abu Dhabi ~ International riders are set to make the lineup for the Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge Festival CEN 120km endurance ride at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday, February 8 with 146 on the starting list.

 Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club said:

“Under the directives of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club; all arrangements are well in place to host the race at the state-of-the-art endurance venue.”

 Speaking to newsmen at the Eastern Mangroves Jannah on Thursday, Al Nuaimi noted that a mouthwatering prize-money of Dh1m has been provided by the patrons of the race to be distributed proportionately among the riders which cross the finish line besides a brand new car to be won by the winner.

Lara Sawaya, director of the Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival thanked Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum for supporting the festival efforts to promote the equine sports with this prestigious competition.

 “The festival is opening channels of cooperation to promote the Arabian horse around the globe thanks to the farsightedness vision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan,”

 Meanwhile, the organizers reiterated that riders who are weighing below 65kg will be ineligible to take part in the race. And under the FEI Code of Conduct, at all stages during the preparation and training of competition horses, welfare must take precedence over all other demands. This includes good horse management, training methods, farriery and tack and transportation.

The race will be held in five loops marked in yellow, blue, red, orange and white with holds as noted:  Loop 1 Yellow 40km, hold time 40 minutes, Loop 2 Blue 27km, hold time 30 minutes, Loop 3 Red, 19km hold time 30 minutes, Loop 4 Orange, 18km hold time 40 minute and Loop 5 White 16km. All other rules and general conditions for endurance rides apply.

Salem Al Sabousi, racing manager for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum conveyed the greetings of the patron of the race and his commitment to continue his strong support for the equine sport in all arenas.

Start List:

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