The ride, 160-km long  is being jointly organised by the Emirates International Endurance Village and the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation and under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Mohammad Al Sayed, Chairman of the Organising Committee, mentioned that  some of the riders who were in the UAE for the World Championship will also be seen in action here. He added that they have invited some of the established riders from nine countries to add the usual international flavour to the premier race.

“The President’s Cup is the most significant endurance race in Abu Dhabi and we want to showcase this ride to the world as one of the best around the globe,” Al Sayed told reporters in a Press conference here at the Sheraton yesterday. “The UAE is comparatively new in the sport and the President’s Cup has only a brief history unlike the famous Tevis Cup in the US. But I can assure you that this race draws the best riders and the horses, and is on the road to become one of the famous races around the world.”

“The captain of the Italian team which won the gold, Gianluca Laliscia, along with the team silver-winning Australians Peter and Penny Toft will be riding. Almost all the top UAE riders will also be taking part,” Al Sayed said.

The sponsors for this year’s  event  include :  Omega (Crown Jewel sponsor),  Emirates Call (silver sponsors) and United Design, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates Motor Company, Paris Gallery (bronze) and Bovis Lend Lease and Max Group as support sponsors.

 “A team of foreign officials and veterinarians approved by the FEI will be flown in to conduct the ride,” he said.

“International riders treat the President’s Cup as a very important event on the international circuit. The good response of both the sponsors and the quality of riders is a certificate of the status of this event,” added Hussain Mohammad.

“The facilities at the Endurance Village here have been constantly enhanced as per the instructions of Shaikh Mansour. Many of the foreign riders are accommodated in the on-site villas managed by the Abu Dhabi National Hotels Company. The facilities for the media have also been improved with wireless connections on site,” added Al Sayed.