Catriona Moon, who has twice represented the senior British Endurance riding team, is the sole UK-based British rider invited to take part in the FEI 3* 160km Presidents Cup ride across the Abu Dhabi desert on 11 February.

Tough race

The Presidents Cup is one of the toughest endurance rides worldwide. The 160km course is across the desert and will include crossing steep sand dunes.

Catriona, who works in Dorset as a vet for the Kingston Veterinary Group, will ride her 13-year-old mare Leila whom she partnered to finish strongly in the 2011 FEI European Endurance Championships in Florac, France.

Catriona and Leila have been training hard for the competition. “It is likely the temperature in Abu Dhabi will be in the high 20s, so Leila has been wearing lots of rugs and is training with two exercise sheets to try to get her used to being warm, which isn’t easy in the British winter," said Catriona.

Abu Dhabi bound

The duo will fly out to Abu Dhabi on 7 February with their crew of Catriona’s mother Jackie Moon and Zofia Lisowski.

Emma Miller, Head of International at Endurance GB said: “We are delighted Catriona has been invited to take part in the Presidents Cup, she really deserves this chance and we wish her and Leila the best of luck."