RideCamp@endurance.net
RE: Camel Endurance?
Camel racing is a big industry in UAE, at least in
Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It's more like thoroughbred racking - round tracks, short
(2 miles?) distances. I don't think they do any long distance racing, at least
not the mainstream sport. The jockeys are small children - usally Pakistani.
When we were there in March for the World Cup, we drove through a camel racing
and training facility just outside of Dubai - mornings and evenings, on the way
to and from the stables. Often had to stop on the highway while large groups of
camels crossed - being ponied, or ridden by children or adult trainers. The kids
always waved, looked like they were having a good time. Colorful dress, and
colorful blankets on the camels. It was pretty cool. Out in the desert
while riding out from the stable we always encountered herds of camels. Adults
and babies. They would hang out at the stable too. My first morning there it was
foggy, I woke up early to a deep red sunrise and the silhouettes of camels in
the fog. Pretty exhotic! There were also a lot of race tracks and training
facilities scattered through the desert. It wasn't uncommon to see pickup trucks
on the highways transporting stock - tall camels tied into the backs of Toyota
trucks.
Ummm... sand, sunshine. Hard to imagine right now with
another snow storm on the way...
Steph
Do the Arabs engage in camel endurance
racing?
And just how long would a camel endurance race
be?
Just wondering...
Linda B. Merims
Massachusetts, USA
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