DUBAI (January 2, 2019)—Meydan Group has announced dates for the four-day HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Festival of endurance riding, from Thursday, December 27, 2018—Friday, January 4, 2019. The festival is headlined by the prestigious HH Sheikh Mohammed Endurance Cup, a keenly anticipated ride on the international endurance calendar. The 160 km ride is an annual tribute to the vast impact HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has had on the sport of endurance riding and global equestrian sport. His vision and passion for the sport have combined to take endurance riding to new heights in the region and worldwide.
Pillar Partners Longines, Azizi Developments and Al Tayer Motors extend their support of the HH Endurance Cup Festival, which opens with the two Azizi Developments-sponsored rides: the 100 km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Ride for Ladies (December 27), followed by the 100 km HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Ride restricted to private stables (December 28). A day later the prestigious Al Tayer Motors-sponsored 120 km Gamilati Cup for Mares (December 29) adds variety and significance to this already exciting and unique event. Finally the showpiece 160 km Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup presented by Longines is scheduled for January 4, 2019.
During the course of the festival, the purpose-built Dubai International Endurance City will prepare to host some of the most formidable, resilient and skilled horse-and-rider combinations from around the world.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, is a multiple winner of the CEI3* 160km HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup presented by Longines. The most recent running was won by Saif Almazrouei aboard Nopoli Del Ma, staving off the challenge from an impressive 360 competitors from 44 countries, including former world and European champions.
Farhad Azizi, CEO of Azizi Developments said: “Azizi Developments is proud to be associated with the 12th edition of HH Endurance Cup Festival as a key sponsor partner of Meydan. We are inspired by the passion of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to promote endurance racing, which instills the values of resilience, courage and determination in its participants. As a leading real estate developer operating in the UAE, we are committed to supporting events that celebrate the vision of the UAE’s leadership and play a significant role in enhancing Dubai’s image as a competitive destination for sports on the international stage.”
Al Tayer Motors and Land Rover, the exclusive sponsors of the annual Gamilati Cup for Mares, are pleased to have the competition held during the HH Endurance Cup Festival for the second consecutive year. “The UAE is among the world’s leading nations in endurance racing and the HH Endurance Cup Festival provides an unmatched opportunity for the sport’s leading international riders to compete in a beautiful setting. This race marks our eighth year of being associated with the prestigious Gamilati Cup for Mares and as one of the UAE’s leading automobile dealerships, we are pleased to play a significant role in supporting Dubai’s growth as an international sporting destination,” said Ashok Khanna, Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President of Longines and Head of International Marketing, said: “As the Official Partner, Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of Meydan, we are delighted to be part this year again of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup presented by Longines, one of the highlights of the UAE endurance season. Longines’ passion for equestrian sports dates back near 150 years and our brand finds in these disciplines, including endurance, the perfect illustration of its core values, namely Tradition, Elegance and Performance.”
Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, which organises all endurance activity held at the DIEC, said: “This Festival began as a single race of great significance, the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, and has now extended to four prestigious competitions underlining it as the main focus of the UAE endurance season, which we know is being strongly anticipated by both competitors and spectators.
“The four-day festival of rides is a small effort to pay tribute to the vision, leadership and deep commitment of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed towards the sport of endurance riding. A former World Champion himself, HH Sheikh Mohammed has steered the endeavor to grow the sport locally and on the international stage, leading by example both as a patron as well as a competitor. We would like to extend our appreciation to our key sponsors Longines, Al Tayer Motors and Azizi Developments, who are major supporters of equestrian sport in Dubai and around the world.
“We look forward to showcasing local talent and world-class endurance athletes, while highlighting the growth in the region and encouraging greater participation and improved performance internationally. Horse welfare is central to all our events, and we have in place world class veterinary facilities and staff on duty to ensure completion of all compulsory checks and due diligence in keeping with internationally stipulated standards.”
About Endurance Riding
Endurance riding requires the rider and horse to work in perfect harmony as a combination. They must manage pace to complete extreme distances in the shortest riding time while passing stringent veterinary examinations that ensure the horse is fit to continue. The event will be divided into multiple stages. After the completion of each stage, the horses are rested and refreshed and undergo a veterinary exam to determine if they meet the physical standards to continue to the next stage. The horse that finishes first, as well as all finishers, must successfully complete a post-race veterinary exam to determine they did meet the physical parameters set forth by the sport rules. It is only after the final veterinary exam that the official order of finish is determined and announced.
About DEC
As part of the Meydan Group, the DEC serves to organise and host quality equestrian sports for the people of Dubai and the UAE in the disciplines of Endurance, Dressage, Show Jumping and Eventing. The DEC also supports international equestrian sports around the world. The DEC organises and promotes the sport of Endurance and all competitions held at Dubai International Endurance City. They also assist in the coordination and support of select international events. Through their subsidiary, the Emirates Equestrian Centre, competitions in the disciplines of Show Jumping, Dressage and Eventing are held, and riding lessons and training in equestrian sports are also offered