US Riders in the UAE/President's Cup

[guest@endurance.net]

Jennifer Nice jenn_nice@hotmail.com
The three US riders invited to compete in the 160 km President's Cup, Hal
Hall,  Marcia Smith and Heather Bergantz, plus Tom Johnson, arrived in Abu
Dhabi with their horses last week. The horses all travelled well and have
settled in to the quarantine yard at Al Wathba Endurance Stables. They
have been training on the course and carefully studying the routes. All
three are ready and eager for the February 7th event.
Yesterday they took part in an 80-km ride (on other horses) to get the
feel for competing in the UAE and the vet gate system that is used here.
Aside from the incredibly windy day, everyone had a great time and
finished well. Hal's wife, Ann, and their two children arrived yesterday
and Heather's fiance, Jeremy, arrived last night. Skip Lightfoot, owner of
Crystals Charm (Red), is due to arrive in a few days.
Rumor has it that Tom Johnson has been challenged to a man vs. horse race
over 80 km of the President's Cup course. No details to report on that as
yet, however.