OMEGA supports Endurance Cup

11 January 2008
Khaleej Times
DUBAI — The prestigious Swiss watchmaker OMEGA announced its partnership with the Dubai Equestrian Club as 4-year sponsor of the His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup Endurance Race, which will take place at the Dubai Endurance City under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on January 12, a Press release said.

"Endurance horse racing is a sport that demands perseverance, dedication and a great deal of understanding between the horse and its rider," said Nayla Hayek, member of the Swatch Group Management Board of Directors. "OMEGA appreciates and thrives on such qualities through creating watches that are assembled with extreme devotion and built to last," she added.

Endurance is a relatively young sport but one that is exceedingly challenging for the competitors, their steeds as well as the timekeepers due to the distances involved. The 160km race requires the horses to be checked by veterinarians at numerous intervals along the way before being allowed to continue. Competitors' times must be clocked at the different gates and a complete overview of time maintained throughout the race which can last well over 10 hours.