January 3, 2013, Abu Dhabi ~ Under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Festival will be held at Frontiera in the neighborhoods of the Portuguese capital of Lisbon over three days from April 25 – 27, 2014.
“The event will host a number of races including ***160km, **120km, 120km (*1 star open for junior and young riders) and 80km Qualifier,” said Lara Sawaya, Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival Chairman of Ladies Racing Committee International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) and president of the Higher Organizing Committee of the Endurance Festival.
The unique event is organized as part of the sixth edition of the HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival which also includes the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship IFAHR, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup, Wathba Stud Farm Cup, International Arabian Horse Conference London 2014, The Mother of UAE Oscar Darley Awards, Hollywood, HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Endurance Championships, Italy and the Apprentice Jockeys (EARS) Championship.
Sawaya said: “Under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 15 riders (men and women) from the UAE will be invited to take part in the 120km Ride (two stars) which is open and riders will accumulate points for the Triple Crown which will be held in Portugal, France and Italy. The total prize-money for this championship will be Euro 50,000 ($68,000) which will be be distributed among the top five finishers. Riders must participate in all three rounds to qualify.:
“The presence of the UAE lady riders in Portugal provides a good opportunity to prepare for the 120km HH Sheikh Fatima bint Mubarak (Mother of UAE) Endurance Championship scheduled in Garda, Italy on July 25. The race will be streamlined via Abu Dhabi Sports Channel and the Web Stream of the www.sheikhmansoorbinzayedfestival.com. This is in addition to the documentary which will be presented during the World Arabian Horse Conference London 2014,” Sawaya confirmed.
Portuguese Consul to the UAE, Manuel Miranda, hailed the strong ties which link them with the UAE, “It’s an honor for us to host this festival which is unique of its kind to promote our cultural identity and introduce the tourist attractions of Portugal. The area in which the race will be held is only 20km from the capital city Lisbon and renounced of its attractive natural places,” he said.
The HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare and Fegentri with Arabtec Holding PJSC as the Official Partners and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), Al Rashid Investment, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, the HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2014, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah and Racing Post.
~end press release