A three-member committee from the Asia Equestrian Federation held a meeting in Abu Dhabi on Sunday with the officials of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and discussed equestrian activities during the forthcoming 15th Asia Games, scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, from December 1 to 15, 2006. Hussein Mohammed Hussein, Secretary General of the UAE Federation, chaired the meeting.

Members of the Asian Equestrian Federation at a meeting with the officials of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation,
in Abu Dhabi, on Sunday.

The members of the Asian Federation included Mr. II-Hong Kim, Secretary General of the Asian Equestrian Federation, Mr. Won-Oh Park, Secretary General of the Korean Federation and Mr. Mehdi Nikooee, Chairman of the R&R Committee and also Council Member.

The meeting discussed at length the problems faced by some of the Asian Federations willing to participate in the Doha competitions due to the exorbitant costs of transportation of horses from the Asian countries via Europe and then to Doha. In lieu of this, the Asian Federation members suggested Dubai could be considered as the intermediary place from where the horses could be sent to Doha.

Hussein Mohammed Hussein expressed UAE's readiness to provide all possible facilities to make this event a success. Hussein requested that the suggestion should be put forward in the meeting of the Organising Committee in Doha. A joint technical meeting attended by both the parties could follow this to discuss the other procedures. He also requested for a list of the participating countries to be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in the UAE to make sure that those countries maintained the quarantine procedures in accordance with the UAE regulations.

Mr. Hong Kim explained that they were working on appointing endurance technical committees. He said since endurance was not very popular in the East Asian countries and that the Asian Federation did not have sufficient experience in selecting the ride officials, the FEI had prepared a list of officials. The FEI recommended that the list be presented to Hussein Mohammed Hussein, who is also the Chairman of the Asian Endurance Committee, who on his behalf offered all the support from the UAE technical committee to make the event successful.

Mr. Hong Kim also sought advice and help from the UAE Equestrian Federation keeping in mind the humble standard of endurance rides in Asian countries. He suggested that a seminar should be organized on endurance on the sidelines of the General Assembly meeting of the Asian Equestrian Federation to be held in Malaysia from April 27 to May 2, 2006.

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The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, in cooperation with the Boudthib Endurance Village, is organizing Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Nahyan Challenge Cup for Juniors and Young Riders at Boudthib Endurance Village, Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi, on Thursday, March 2, 2006.

The CEI, Two-star, 100-km ride, which will be run in four phases of 30 km, 30 km, 24 km and 16 km respectively, has so far attracted over 30 riders. The ride is scheduled to have a mass start at 6.30 am.

The Federation is also organizing two Federation Qualifiers on the same day at the same venue. The 84 -km Qualifier, which will be run in three phases of 30 km, 30 km and 24 km respectively, will feature around 50 riders and will start at 6.45 am. As many as another 50 riders will vie for qualification in the 46-km ride which will be run in two phases of 30 km and 16 km respectively and will be flagged off at 7 a.m.

The UAE Equestrian Federation organizes Federation Qualifiers at regular intervals to help riders and horses to qualify themselves to ride in higher category rides.

The rides are held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Emirates Heritage Club. The Boudthib Endurance Village is part of the Emirates Heritage Club.

The Emirates Heritage Club is closely involved in the development of several traditional and cultural activities and sports in the country, including endurance riding. The club also provides vital training facilities for children in the UAE and its modern and excellently planned endurance village has become a training ground for several aspiring young endurance riders.

Boudthib is located past Al Wathba on the left side of the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain highway. One can also reach the Boudthib endurance Village from different emirates by following these directions:

From Abu Dhabi- On Al Ain Road at exit for Zayed Military City, turn left and follow signs.
From Dubai- On Abu Dhabi Road at Al Mafraq bridge take exit to Al Ain Road and continue up to exit for Zayed Military City, turn left and follow signs.
From Al Ain- On Abu Dhabi Road at Al Khatem Bridge exit right and follow signs.

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