ROYAL Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa expressed confidence that participants in the 80km Breef Qualifying Ride tomorrow will achieve honourable results.
With only one day remaining for the season’s second qualifying ride, Shaikh Nasser said he watched many riders who have developed their skills this year, which featured gruelling battle in the past races.
Shaikh Nasser said this season’s races were different from those of the previous years, noting that competition level was higher this year as all the stables headed into the season while vying for podiums in all races and categories.
Shaikh Nasser said this significant improvement in Bahrain endurance is a clear evidence of what Bahrain is receiving from the kingdom’s leadership and His Majesty King Hamad, who is always inspiring young riders with crucial directives.
To be held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, the ride is organised by the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef).
The ride is in line with the directives of Breef president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
On his part, Breef Endurance Committee chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa said the federation is now ready to host the race tomorrow in all areas, noting that the directives of Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid have noticeably contributed to overcoming many challenges.
Shaikh Daij stressed on the importance of this ride, which is an international qualifying event for the horses to become eligible for future international championships.
Tomorrow’s event will be divided into three stages, starting with 30km in the first stage. It will be followed by an identical distance of 30km for the second, and concluding with 20km for the third.
Registration continued yesterday with many riders from many stables submitting their names.
The veterinary examination is scheduled for today from 3.30pm to 5pm at the veterinary area at the endurance village.
Meanwhile, Fahad Al Rumaihi has been appointed head of the ground jury committee. Other officials are Mahdi Al Kulaiti, Ali Ghuloom and Ghalib Mukhtar, all from Bahrain, in addition to Jordan’s Haider Al Zubi.
Mohammed Dadulla is the technical delegate. The veterinary committee is headed by Dr Ebrahim Yousef of Bahrain and includes veterinarians Dr Mohammed Al Hammad of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain’s Dr Abbas Al Haiki, Dr Subah Al Kaabi and Dr Abdulrahman Abulshouk.
The veterinary laboratory includes Dr Farida Abdulrazzaq of Bahrain and Dr Milo Canabo of the Dominican Republic, while Ahmed Dhaif, Dr Abu Obaida Steven Panks and Merghani Jilanimen are other officials.