Saturday, February 18, 2023 – 3:28 PM
ABU DHABI, 18th February / WAM / The Endurance Cup Championship of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, will start at 6:30 am tomorrow (Sunday), on the fields of the Emirates International Village of Endurance in Al Wathba, with the support and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, President of the Emirates Global Capacity Village.
A group of the best male and female riders from all stables at the state level, Gulf and Arab countries, as well as a group of international riders, are participating in the race. 280 male and female riders have been registered to compete in the 160 km race in 6 stages.
The organizing committee of the race, which will reach its 24th edition tomorrow, revealed its details during a press conference held yesterday, Friday, at Al Wathba Resort Hotel in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Dr. The Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba, and Mohammed Ali Al Hadhrami, the village’s events manager.
At the beginning of the conference, Ghanem Al-Hajri welcomed the attendees and guests, and said: “We are happy to be supportive of this distinguished tournament, which bears a name dear to hearts.” He conveyed the greetings of the Chairman and members of the Federation’s Board of Directors to the audience.
He stressed that this important event in the country’s endurance racing agenda will witness the application of all applicable procedures and wished for active and safe participation. Straight up, good luck to everyone.
For his part, Yaqoub Al-Saadi said: “I extend my sincere thanks to those in charge of organizing the precious Cup in its 24th edition, and these major championships and other events and races will remain a practical embodiment of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, so that the Emirates will always remain an oasis To give and move towards everything that is better.”
He added: “I affirm and am confident that this year we will witness a tournament befitting the name that bears a symbol and slogan first and foremost, and befitting the sport of ability, and what it has achieved through the great efforts, care and continuous directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed.”
Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court.
On behalf of Musallam Al Ameri, Muhammad Ali Al Hadhrami welcomed the attendees and said: “The Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba has completed its preparation to organize and host the race, which is being held under the auspices and support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, President of the Emirates Village.” The global ability to jump.
He added: “We are very happy to organize and host the precious Cup in the Leap of Glory, which is a tournament dear to our hearts, through which we renew the pledge of allegiance and loyalty to the leader, His Highness, the President of the State.”
He said, “The village team has made great efforts to organize an ideal tournament, full of love, happiness, and high spirits, and the number of registered participants has reached 280 male and female riders,” indicating that GPS tracking technology will be used during the race.
The Organizing Committee has issued an elegant booklet for the championship, which includes the results of the racing champions since its inception, race tracks and details, an overview of the Al Wathba area, as well as the achievements of the Global Village.
The race distance of 160 km was divided into six stages, the distance of the first, which was demarcated by blue flags, is 40 km, the second, which was demarcated by green flags, 28 km, the third, which was demarcated by yellow flags, 28 km, and the fourth, which was demarcated by red flags, 24 km. And the fifth stage, which was marked with brown flags, 20 km, and the last stage, which was marked with white flags, 20 km.
The organizing committee of the tournament has set a number of conditions that must be adhered to, namely that the minimum age of the horse must not be less than 8 years or more, the maximum heartbeat of the horse is 64 beats per minute, the minimum permissible weight is 60 kg, and the minimum speed is 14 km. /hour.
The championship is considered one of the most important stations of endurance races, and the race is held in the individual system, as well as in the team system, “4 riders per team” to enrich and add more excitement and suspense, and each four riders have the right to form a team, provided that it is completed by at least three racing riders, and the best time is calculated for them Which raises the pace of competition.
And the knight Ahmed Saleh Al-Shehhi holds the title of the last version after he was crowned on horseback “Arizona” for Al-Bawadi Stables, in the race that witnessed a record participation of 396 male and female riders.
Dubawi Stables won the title for the past two editions of the teams championship, and the team members, led by coach Ali Al Muhairi, won the title for the second time in a row during the last edition after they covered the 160 km race distance in a total time of 20:29:17 hours. The team consisted of Mansour Khamis, Rashid Ali Al-Muhairi, and Muhammad Juma Al-Muhairi.
Asim Al-Khouli
