Bahraini Crown Prince Cup is set for tomorrow

The Crown Prince Cup Endurance Horse Ride Championship is all set for tomorrow night at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.Top riders from all over Bahrain will vie for cup glory in today's race, which is the concluding event of the 2012/13 endurance season.Starting at 5pm, the Crown Prince Cup's first-ever night ride will feature two races. The main event is over 120km, divided into five stages. The first and second stages will be over 30 kms each, 25km is for the third, 20km for the fourth and 15km for the fifth stage.An additional 80km qualifying ride is lined up on the sidelines of the feature race, and gives riders the eligibility to compete in major international endurance championships.Stables from all around Bahrain have finalised their preparations for the prestigious trophy in today's race, which is under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.Stables taking part are the Bahrain Royal Endurance Team, captained by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Al Khalidia Stable, led by Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.Other entrants will come from the GCC, including young Qatari rider Shaikh Abdulla bin Mishal Al Thani, who is taking part in the qualifying ride.The grandson of the Emir of Qatar Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani looks to successfully complete all stages and become eligible to compete in the 2013 FEI World Junior Championship for Juniors and Young Riders that will take place on July 27 in Tarbes, France.Both Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid said today’s race is expected to feature tough competition among several prominent riders, who have prepared well for this event.The race, to be held for the first time at night, will be open to all riders, men and women, of different ages and nationalities. This will be the fifth time the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) to organise this ride.The veterinary inspection will be taking place today between 3pm and 4.30pm, just 30 minutes before the start of the ride. Maximum weight allowed for the 120km ride is 75kg with the saddles.After the race, the top three riders will be honoured at the prize-distribution ceremony.The ride will be telecasted live on Bahrain TV Sports Channel as race update will be available on the federation website www.endurancebh.com.Meanwhile, the race officials have been announced, as Carol Bunting of UK was named president of Ground Jury, which also includes Fahad Al Rumaihi, Ali Ghuloom and Mahdi Al Kalaiti, all of BahrainHaider Al Zubi is the chief steward, Ghalib Al Alawi was named technical delegate, while Abdulla Al Rumaihi was named the event steward.Mohammed Al Hammad of Saudi Arabia was appointed president of the seven-member Veterinary Commission.Other members include Tunisia’s Yassine Motemri, Mohammed Shafi of India, Khalid Al Ruzaiqi of Oman and Bahrain's Abbas Al Haiki, Ebrahim Yousef, Subah Al Kaabi and Abdulrahman Abulshouk.Bahrain’s Fareeda Abdulrazaq and Caonabo Melo of the Dominican Republic are the treatment veterinarian, while Mir Ghani is the lab technician source : BNA