Interview with Sheikh Mohammed after the Dubai Endurance City Masters Ride

Question: Your Highness, congratulations on your victory in the Masters ride. Would you like to tell us about the World Masters Series, which you lead after twelve months?

SM: The final ride of the Masters series will be in March and will reunite all the top international riders. Naturally we're counting the points from the races that lead up to it.

Question: Your Highness, The Italians have told us that the Masters rides in the Emirates are more difficult than those in Europe.

SM: Every course poses different challenges to the horse and the rider. In Europe, there are mountains and valleys; here the terrain is flat and sandy, which means that the course is faster here. The top riders know how to gain points wherever they are.

Question: Your Highness, considering the UAE's victories in the world championship in Spain, and looking ahead to the final Masters ride, the FEI-UAE World Cup, will the strong competition from Europe and the United States force you to reconsider the composition of the national team or will we compete with the same team?

SM: Our hopes always rest with our riders, the horses, the quality of our training and our team spirit.

Question: But will the UAE team remain unchanged? Or have you seen new talent emerging?

SM: The team will remain unchanged. However, the country that hosts the ride is normally allowed to enter two teams. Thanks be to Allah, there are definitely some talented new riders coming through.

Question: Your Highness, what are your thoughts on using advertising to attract spectators and to transform the race into a tourist attraction.

SM: That's a good idea. It would also be a good thing for the sponsors, as the publicity would bring them international renown.