HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival to stage three big
endurance rides in Italy

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival will be staging important endurance rides including the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance CEIO Cup for teams in Verona, Italy on September 26 and 27, 2015.

Details of the three rides and other international events to be staged by the Festival under the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of  Presidential Affairs were announced at a press conference on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) 2015.

Dr. Abdulla Elreyes, Director General of the National Archives, Diego Albiero representing the Italian Equestrian Federation, Miguel Pinero from the Portuguese Equestrian Federation, Gerard Aurel from the France Equestrian Federation, Ms Lara Sawaya , Chairperson of the IFHRA,  Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival and Chairman of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities, Ahmad Al Qubaisi and Khalid Al Hammadi addressed the press conference.

"The endurance rides in Verona will be part of the Italian Endurance Festival comprising the FEI World Championship for Young Horses (Under 7 years) on September 26, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance CEIO and the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival Cup rides on September 27,” said Ms Lara Sawaya.

She also confirmed that the Festival will in 2016 joins hands with the Endurance governing bodies in France and Portugal to stage the same events in Negrespelisse, France and Portugal during April and September respectively.”

“In 2017 the festival stages the Word Championship for Young Riders in Verona, Italy,” Ms Sawaya said.

Italian official Diego Albieroe said, “We are honoured to be part of the Festival. These races are fundamental and crucial for the development of the sport and the promotion of tourism and business in Italy and the future of the young riders themselves.”

“We have received so far 102 entries for the international championship and 10 riders will be flying the UAE flag in the competition. On September 22, there will be an international news conference to announce the details of the races.”

Ms Sawaya also announced the Festival’s UAE team of riders. “The UAE will be represented in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance CEIO Cup (for teams) by Afra Al Suwaidi, Aisha Al Romaithi, Alia Khafaji, Shatra Hajjaj and Aryam while Khalifa Al Jahouri, Ahmed Al Dahim, Suhail Al Junaibi, Rashid Al Junaibi and Mohammed Humaid Al Nyadi will represent the Festival in the men’s competition,” she said.

“We are directed by HH Sheikh Mansoor to focus on the family and for this reason there would be plenty of entertainment for the children and family members in Italy. Promotion for the event will start from next week and above all there’s a draw every two hours for five lucky couples to visit Abu Dhabi to attend the finals of the Festival on November 8.

“The top five finishers in the FEI World Championship for Young Horses and the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival Endurance Cup and the first four teams in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Endurance CEIO Cup will also be invited to Abu Dhabi on the big day to join the 400-plus jockeys.”

“We would like to reiterate that all rules and regulations of the governing bodies will be adhered to in the races,” Ms Sawaya stated.
All events will be telecast live by Yas Sports TV, and streamed live on Festival’s web TV.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare with The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers and sponsored by Invest AD, National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC),  Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2015, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Al Wathba Center, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Yas Channel, Omeir Travels, Racing Post and Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival / Satya Narayan
Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf