Asian Games: UAE riders to have light training

GulfNews.com
by By M. Satya Narayan

Esmail Mohammad, the UAE's endurance trainer, feels the return of bright and sunny weather should help the riders during the event on Thursday.

Dubai: After the wet weather, yesterday's warm sunshine brought the smiles back on UAE endurance trainer Esmail Mohammad's face, the man who is part of the UAE team aiming for a dream win in tomorrow's endurance event at the Doha Asian Games.

Esmail, who accompanied the eight UAE horses to Doha on Sunday, said they have all settled in well and worked through their paces in training over the last two days.

"Until this morning, we were a bit worried as major stretches of the terrain were wet and heavy. It would have been very treacherous for the horses. However, this afternoon it is bright and sunny and we hope this continues," Mohammad said from Doha.

All the horses trained over the last two days and the six-member UAE team of riders are expected to arrive in Doha today.

The UAE will be represented by the four sons of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the experienced foursome will be starting off as one of the favourites.
Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum will be creating history when they line-up for tomorrow's early morning start in the 120-km endurance event.

Sultan Bin Sulayem and Ali Mohammad Al Muhairi complete the six-member team. Meanwhile, Glenelg William is expected to be part of the six-horse pack which will be going in for the pre-ride veterinary inspection at 2pm this afternoon.

"Glenelg William had finished 10th last month in Dubai and is accompanied by Orkara, Kamel Armor, Jazyk, Muneef, Iknour De La Bire, Nashmi and Shahzani," said Mohammad.

The UAE riders will have a light training session with the horses this afternoon. The final decision on the team of four riders will be decided this evening. Endurance is one of the disciplines making its debut as a medal sport at the Asian Games.