Endurance Festival today and tomorrow

dubai — The FEI Meydan World Championship highlights the opening day of the Meydan sponsored Italia Endurance Festival to be held in Italy’s Verona province on Saturday and Sunday.

Among those sitting on the panel at the press conference was Mayor of the Scaligero capital Federico Sboarina, Diego Albiero, President of the Organising Committee of Italia Endurance Festival and Event Director of the Festival and President of Garda Endurance James Coppini .

The Organising committee president paid tribute to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his guiding vision that has been instrumental in the growth and development of endurance riding world-wide, while also thanking Meydan the main sponsors for the event.

James Coppini, the event director, added that the Italia Endurance festival wasn’t just about horse racing, but also an effort to consolidate and boost sporting, social and economic ties between Italy, Dubai and the UAE, and bring together endurance riding and a love for horses with tourism and international relations.

Coppini made a special mention thanking Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, General Manager, Dubai Equestrian Club for his support in facilitating all the arrangements for the festival.

Later in the evening a grand opening ceremony was hosted by the organisers at the Parco Giardino Sigurta, where representatives from 33 countries were welcomed and presented on stage. A spectacular entertainment programme featured horses to demonstrate the special relationship between the horse and rider.

The highlight of the evening came when Mohammed Essa Al Adhab was presented a portrait of Sheikh Mohammed created by international artist Mauro Malacarne.