The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, in co-operation with the Dubai Equestrian Club, is organizing Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Challenge II at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, on Thursday, March 16, 2006.

The Challenge has attracted a huge field comprising over 90 endurance enthusiasts. The Round I of the Sheikh Rashid Challenge, which was held on December 22, 2005 at the Dubai Endurance City, had also attracted a huge participation.

The CEI 3-star, 120-km Sheikh Rashid Challenge ride will be run in five stages of 32 km, 30 km, 24 km, 18 km and 16 km respectively. It will feature horses aged six and above and the ride is scheduled to start at 6 am.

Some of the riders vying for the Championship include Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Sheikha Madiya Hasher Mana Al Maktoum, Jaber Bittar, Jesus Manuel Berna, Yousef Ahmed Al Bloushi, Hasan Ahmed Mohammed Al Bloushi, Khalid Abdul Rahim Al Hammadi, Yousef Abdullah Al Hammadi, Ali Yousef Hussain Al Hammadi, Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi, Hassan bin Ali, Khalifa bin Ghalaita and several others.

The UAE Federation is also organizing a Federation Qualifier on the same day at the same premises. The 80-km Qualifier will be run in three phases of 32 km, 30 km and 18 km respectively and is likely to feature around 50 riders. The qualifying rides are organised at regular intervals by the UAE Equestrian Federation to help riders and horses to qualify themselves to ride in higher category rides.

As is the case during all the endurance rides in the UAE, whips, spurs and long reins are not permitted during the ride. The riders have been requested that they make sure that their horses are sufficiently warmed-up before being taken inside the vet gate. No more than two persons and the rider will be permitted to accompany a horse inside the vet gate at any time.

The riders have also been instructed that they must wear hard type riding helmets and shoes with heels.

It is also forbidden to give water or any other kind of assistance from inside a car. Any horse that is retired after the start must be shown to an official Ride Veterinarian before it leaves and venue. Furthermore, crewing of horses is not permitted in the entrances or inside the vet gate. All the participants have been requested by the Federation to follow these rules to make the rides smooth and trouble-free.

In the Sheikh Rashid Challenge ride, The Best Condition Competition is restricted to the first ten horses that cross the finish line.

Over 80 riders have confirmed their participation for the Emirates Challenge endurance ride to be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, on Thursday, March 9, 2006.

The CEI 3-star, 120-km Emirates Challenge ride will be run in five stages of 32 km, 30 km, 24 km, 18 km and 16 km respectively. It will feature horses aged six and above and the ride is scheduled to start at 6 am.

Some of the contenders taking part in the ride include Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Sheikh Abdullah bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Jaber Bittar, Jesus Manuel Berna, Yousef Ahmed Al Bloushi, Omair Hussain Abdullah Al Bloushi, Ahmed Hassan Ahmed Al Hammadi, Khalid Abdul Rahim Al Hammadi, Khalifa Ahmed Atiq Al Marri, Khalifa Matar Mohammed Al Neyadi, Abdullah Saeed bin Huzaim, Abdullah Thani Ahmed Al Dalali, Layla Abdul Aziz Al Redha, Salem Rasahid bin Ghadeyar, Mubarak Khalifa bin Shafya, Ali Mohammed Al Muhairi, Thani Mohammed Al Muhairi, Hassan bin Ali and Sultan Ahmed Al Bloushi.

As is the case during all the endurance rides in the UAE, whips, spurs and long reins are not permitted during the ride. The riders have been requested that they make sure that their horses are sufficiently warmed-up before being taken inside the vet gate. No more than two persons and the rider will be permitted to accompany a horse inside the vet gate at any time.

The riders have also been instructed that they must wear hard type riding helmets and shoes with heels.

It is also forbidden to give water or any other kind of assistance from inside a car. Any horse that is retired after the start must be shown to an official Ride Veterinarian before it leaves and venue. Furthermore, crewing of horses is not permitted in the entrances or inside the vet gate. All the participants have been requested by the Federation to follow these rules to make the rides smooth and trouble-free.

In the Emirates Challenge ride, The Best Condition Competition is restricted to the first ten horses that cross the finish line.