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Organized by the Bou Theib Endurance Village AL KHATEM, ABU DHABI - UAE CEI*** 240 KM (80 KM X 3 DAYS) 3rd - 5th JANUARY 2008 Equestrianism in the UAE Endurance Festival Begins Full Results -2008 (pdf) (2007 Results)

Bou Theib Endurance Village Organizing Committee:

Ground Jury Presidente: Mr. Albert Dollinger (SUI)
Members: Mr. Horst Mueller (GER), Mr. Dhafi Rashid Al Marri (QAT), Mr. Abdul Aziz Sheikh (IND), Mr. Mohd Essa Al Adhab (UAE), Mr. Khalfan Al Yammahi (UAE), Mr. Abdul Wahab (EGI), Mr. Mahmmod Osman (EGI)
Foreign Technical Delegate
Mr. Vijay Moorthy (IND)
Chief Steward
Mr. Muftah Al Harrasi (OMÃ)
Veterinary Commission
Presidente: Dr. Carlos Ponferrada (ESP)
Foreign Veterinary Delegate: Dr. Yassine Motemri (TUN)
Members: Dr. GVD Westhuizen (RSA), Dr. Hallvard Sommerseth (NOR), Dr. Piotr Szpotanski (POL), Dr. V.C. Thomas (IND), Dr. Ibrahim Al Hassan (JOR), Dr. Andrew Dalglish (GBR), Dr. J.N. Thejasvi (IND), Dr. Kuldip Kuhad (IND), Dr. Mohd Moosa (EGI), Dr. Shafy Mohammed (IND), Dr. Saad Al Helaly (IRQ), Dr. Roula Shaban (UAE)
Treatment Veterinarians: Dr. Martha Misheff (USA), Dr. Mohd Azhar (PAK), Dr. Lulu Skidmore (GBR)

The United Arab Emirates link with horses date back to nearly six million years. Throughout this period, horses have always been a focal point of Arab culture but the beauty of this deeply-rooted story is the smooth adaptation of this traditional habit into the modern equestrian fraternity.

The foundation for the gigantic steps taken by present-day equestrian activities in the UAE was laid under the directives of the Rulers of different emirates in the United Arab Emirates who firmly believed that today’s youth should be in touch with their ancestral past and the fact that equestrian activities have been passed on from father to son since centuries, has given this sport the maximum attention.

These same ideals are currently being pursued by UAE President HH Sh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who have ensured the development of the equestrian sports through their keen interest and involvement. With His Excellency Sh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, directly supervising the equestrian activities in the UAE and also promoting the sport in other parts of the world, the sport gets abundant boost.

Equestrian activities in the UAE are multi-faceted. The events are held throughout the year with some of the events easily among the biggest and the best in the world. Broadly, the various equestrian activities are flat racing, endurance riding, show, jumping, polo, dressage and eventing, the last two being still in their infancy in the country.

While pursuing all these equestrian activities, the UAE gives top priority to the welfare of the horse. Having been companions of the proud Arab since time immemorial, these noble creatures are treated like family members and the country can boast of one of the best equine-care-services in the world.

The first modern desert endurance ride took place in the UAE, a sport loving country, on January 7, 1993. Camels competed against horses in the dunes of Dubai and horses took the first 15 places.

There are three self-sufficient ultra-modern endurance centers or villages in the country, which are comparable to the best anywhere in the world, and several riding clubs and equestrian establishments. Dubai International Endurance City, Seih Assalem, Dubai; Emirates International Endurance Village and Bou Theib Endurance Village, both in Abu Dhabi, are the common endurance riding centres in the country.

Endurance riding has captured the top position in the equestrian sports held in the United Arab Emirate. Many Members from the Royal families of the country and Their Highnesses and Rulers of different Emirates regularly take part in endurance competitions alongside large numbers of UAE nationals and resident foreign riders and visiting riders from abroad.

All endurance rides are electronically monitored ad receive comprehensive media coverage. The United Arab Emirates is working closely with several others in globally developing Endurance. In 1998, for the first time the UAE hosted the World Endurance Championship and the record number of participants in this competition gained the country an entry into the Guinness World Records as the organizer of the Biggest Equestrian World Endurance Championship 1998. The country hosted the second World Endurance Championship in 2005 which again attracted a record number of participants.

During the 2006-2007 season, the UAE staged 24 FEI competitions, two National rides and 25 Qualifying rides. The season also witnessed several firsts including the three-day Ladies Endurance Championship and rides for smaller stables.

One of the most eagerly awaited events of the year, organized by the UAE Equestrian Federation is the His Highness The President of The UAE Prize for Pure-bred Arabian. This flat-racing event, exclusively featuring Pure-bred Arabian Horses, is held every year in several major European capitals and the US from June to November. The idea behind these races is to boost the status of this noble breed of horses which were earlier dismissed off as not fit for flat-racing.

Bou Theib Endurance Village, A School for the Future Riders

The Bou Theib Endurance Village, situated in Al Khatem, near Abu Dhabi, is the second endurance village in the state capital and the third in the UAE. It was commissioned in 2004 and the inaugural ride in April was a highly successful ride for the junior riders. The other two venues include Dubai International Endurance City, Seih Assalem, Dubai and Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.

Ever since its inception, the Bou Theib Endurance Village has witnessed several achievements. Its success lies in the fact that several endurance rides have been held in the venue along with equestrian festivals and also the highly functional endurance school. Not only is the Bou Theib Endurance Village one of the best training centres for preparing riders, it also gets the best riders from all over the globe who come to the Village to participate in the rides. The Village has been a centre of attraction and has organizes successfully many endurance rides in cooperation with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation. From the day the doors of the Village opened, it has hosted over 15 major international endurance rides and several Qualification rides.

The 100-km Al Ain Endurance Cup for UAE riders is being held to mark the 36^th National Day celebrations. The Village organizes such rides to mark special occasions to show its support to the initiatives launched by late HH Sh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan which are currently being pursued by President HH Sh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Supreme Council members and Rulers of other Emirates.

Bou Theib Endurance Village comes under the wings of the Emirates Heritage Club which was established in 1993 under instructions of HH Sh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. In June 1997 Emirates Heritage Club was made an independent authority belonging to Abu Dhabi Government to be headed by Deputy Prime Minister Sh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Emirates Heritage Club aims to educate the new generations the heritage of their forefathers through developing the traditional activities, carrying out the studies and research works, spreading the cultural awareness among the people of the United Arab Emirates, and also to deepen the national feeling towards their country’s culture.

In this regard, the club carries out several activities through its various departments and branches. This comes as a result of the encouragement showered by HH SH Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Though the Village is almost similar to the other two endurance venues in the country, the exciting part of this Village is that the route takes the riders through forest area and provides variety and colour. The Village is backed by the best administration, technical team and has a strong supporting team including vets, trainer etc.

The Village was constructed keeping in mind the welfare of the horses. As such trotting lanes, veterinary clinics, quarantine are all equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment which can compete with any international endurance sites. Currently the Village has 10 air-conditioned stables, with each one of them accommodating ten horses. Special stables have also been built to house the participating horses. The Village has four veterinary gates with most advanced equipment for time keeping, camera, television which will all ensure absolute accuracy.

The Village also has a hotel with 72 single and double bedrooms. This hotel hosts not only the participating riders but also students who attend some special courses in the Village.

After successful festival last year, the Village is hosting the Endurance Festival this season too which will be held from January 3-5, 2008. The 240 km Sh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup will be run for three days with the riders covering 80 km each day. The Festival will also host two other 120 km endurance rides apart from two qualification rides.

The Academic wing of the Village organizes several equestrian related courses for junior riders. Some of the successful students have already taken part in international competitions. Emphasis is laid equally on theoretical and practical sessions under the supervision of experience people from the equestrian discipline. And under the directives of HH Sh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the courses offered are free charge.

Riders also receive lessons in dealing with horses and the welfare. They also get good lessons on how to handle the horses under difficult circumstances including stress, anxiety and ijuries.

Sh Sultan bin Zayed’s main intention is providing these facilities to the youngsters are to help them understand the culture, heritage and the history of the country.

The Village is situated about 60 km from Abu Dhabi on the highway to Al Ain. It is near the Shooting Range with Zayed Military City Road on one side and the other area ending near the Seih Al Shuaib Road.

Though the Bou Theib Endurance Village will host many major rides, they would like to lay emphasis more on training young riders.