Lara Sawaya, Festival Director

       January 5, 2012, Abu Dhabi~ The HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for horses owned by private owners and the Al Wathba Challenge open ride will be held on January 6 and 7 respectively at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi.

The rides are organized by the Emirates International Endurance Village and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, SAS Investment Co LLC, Al Wathba Stables and Samawi Neon are the sponsors of the ride.

Friday’s  100k HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Endurance Cup for horses owned by private owners is a UAE national ride and will start at 6.30 am.

The ride will be run in four stages of 33kms, 27kms, 24kms and 16 kms.

A large number of riders are expected to start in this event which is being organized to encourage small and private stables to compete against each other and give them a better chance.

Saturday’s Al Wathba Challenge will be run over 120-kms and the event is a FEI two star ride. Also supported by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, SAS Investment Co LLC, Al Wathba Stables and Samawi Neon, this open ride will start at 6.30 am on Saturday and will be run in five stages of 33kms, 27kms, 24kms, 20kms and 16 kms.

Attractive prizes will be on offer for the winners of the two rides.

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