15 March 2018, Dubai UAE ~ The week-long Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup Festival opened on March 12, 2018, and includes a highly compelling mix of endurance rides, catering to individual and private stables, ladies riders and mares. Topping the program is the CEI** 120 km Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline scheduled for March 17, 2018.
The festival is sponsored by Meydan Pillar Partners Emirates Airline and is being held at the purpose-built state-of-the art endurance facility, Dubai International Endurance City.
Named for His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, the five-day festival opened with the CEN 100 km Dubai Crown Prince Ride for Ladies on Monday March 12th. This was followed by the CEN 100 km Dubai Crown Prince Ride Restricted to Private Stables/Individuals on Tuesday the 13th and the CEN 120 km Yamamah Endurance Cup for Mares on Wednesday March 14th.
The Yamamah Cup has a special significance for the Crown Prince, as it is named after the mare he rode to win the 2014 World Equestrian Games-Endurance Gold medal.
The finale, the CEI**120 km Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, will be staged on Saturday, 17 March 2018. Several foreign riders and World Champions have been invited to compete alongside local talent.
One of the many roles carried out by HH Sheikh Hamdan, that of Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, where he serves as an inspirational role model for locals and expats alike. A world-class endurance athlete himself and winner of several prominent international titles, he works tirelessly towards motivating locals to take up and excel in the sport.
The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival is one such effort, which allows regional riders and horses to compete against world athletes.
Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, General Manager of DEC, said: “The Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Festival is one of our flagship events and we are proud to welcome all participants, both local and international, to our world-class venue at DIEC.
“Our inspiration comes from the vision of our leaders HH Sheikh Mohmammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,” he continued. “Both are great supporters of equine sport in the region and globally. Both are international endurance riding champions who lead by example and continue to inspire, making them vital ambassadors for our sport.
“We would also like to thank Emirates Airline for their support and sponsorship of the Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup. We look forward to another successful renewal and wish all competitors the very best of luck.”
Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Centre, said: “Emirates has a longstanding relationship with horse racing and equestrian sports, in our home of Dubai and across the globe and we are honoured to support this year’s HH Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup. This race is a testament of a horse’s endurance and the intricate skills of riders. Emirates is incredibly proud to sponsor this exceptional event and we are confident that this year’s race will be successful.”