The First Round of the three-round His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Challenge endurance competition for ladies will be inaugurated on Friday, January 18, 2008, at the Al Asayel Endurance Village, Sweihan, Abu Dhabi. This is the second consecutive year that the Challenge is being held. It has attracted around 40 lady riders already and the ride is being sponsored by Hydra Properties. The ride will start at 6.30 in the morning.

The second and third rounds of the race series will be staged on February 8 and March 3.

Some of the riders contending for the Round I ride include Sheikha Alyazia bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Sheikha Hissa bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Sheikha Madiya Hasher Mana Al Maktoum, Sheikha Maryam bint Omer Al Qassimi, Sheikha Asma Taleb Al Qassimi, Shamsah Awad Al Otaiba, Claude Flavie Deriaz, Margaret Wade, Martha Mary Misheff, Sue Sidebottom, and several other riders from countries including France, Germany, Uruguay, US, Australia, Great Britain and Canada.

The ride will be in four loops of 30, 30, 24 and 16kms respectively.

A press conference was held at the Al Asayel Endurance Village on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 to announce the details of the three-round series which was attended by representatives from the sponsors and the Village. The Al Asayel Endurance Centre will henceforth be called Al Asayel Endurance Village.

Salem Al Ketbi, President of the Organising Committee, said that any changes have been brought into the Village in Sweihan. A new logo has been designed for the championship and the prize money is eye-catching.

During the first round, the first placed winner will receive DH 30,000, DH 20,000 for the second winner and DH 15,000 for the third placed rider. A car has been kept aside for the overall winner who has accumulated the maximum number of points at the end of the three-round series, according to Lara Sawaya, Managing Director of Tasweeq.

Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, CEO of Hydra Properties, said in a message that under the guidance of Dr. Sheikh Sultan, the Al Asayel Endurance Village has evolved into another of the UAE's major venue with a focus on women riders.

The Emirates International Endurance Village, in cooperation with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, will be staging the 120-km Abu Dhabi International Book Fair- Sorouh Cup endurance championship on Saturday, January 19, 2008.

The FEI CEI Two-Star ride will be run in five loops of 32 km, 30 km, 24 km, 18 km and 16 km respectively and will be flagged off at 6.30 am. Over 140 entries have already been accepted by the UAE Equestrian Federation for this esteemed ride, which is sponsored by Sorouh Group and Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

Addressing a press conference at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on January 16, 2008, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Club, stated that total prize money of Dh 400,000 was on offer for the ride.

Juma'a Al Qubaisi, Director of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, present at the press conference stated that the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair-Sorouh Cup is a new and important addition to the endurance competitions in the country.

Baher Ahmad, Marketing Manager, events, for Sorouh said their company's support reflects their commitment to sports and knowledge.

Omair Hussain Al Beloushi, from Al Reef Stables, clinched the160-km Dh 1.5 million His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup staged at the Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Assalem, Dubai, on Saturday, January 12, 2008. By winning the coveted place, he also beat the world record as Omair and Charlandre El Sharif shaved off over 13 minutes from the existing record. The previous record for a 160-km event was held by Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Nahyan on ZT Faraventure (6:41:33) which was created at the His Highness The President's Cup ride in February in 2007.

The ride will also go down in history for also attracting the most number of riders for a non-championship ride as 137 riders participated in it.

Beloushi, who was riding 11-year-old chestnut gelding Charlandre El Sharif, dominated most of the six loops and completed the distance in a time of 6 hours 28 minutes 28 seconds. The prestigious event, organized by the Dubai equestrian Club, was sponsored by Omega.

The 22-year-old young rider Omair, who created a world record for the 100-km distance with the same horse last year, said he went for the record. Yousuf Ahmed Al Beloushi, also a popular endurance rider, is his uncle and trainer. Omair received a standing ovation as he cantered home holding the UAE flag and his effort earned him the fabulous trophy, a Nissan 4x4 vehicle, Dh250,000 and a watch from sponsors Omega. The Al Reef youngster has so far won eight rides and dedicated his success

Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri from Al Wathba Stables finished second on Leblond and carried home Dh 200,000 and a Nissan 4x4 vehicle, while Mohammad Rashid Saeed Al Subosi on Genio II finished third and also drove away with a Nissan 4x4 vehicle and Dh 150,000.