Desert Endurance Horse Marathon - Wadi Rum (45 images)

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Each year, a series of endurance horse races are held in the desert surrounding the Wadi Rum Protected Area. Sponsored by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum of the UAE, the marathon attracts competitors from throughout the Kingdom and the region.

As the race is governed by a stringent set of international regulations, controls are made at regular intervals to ensure that the horses maintain a healthy temparature and heartbeat given the challenging desert conditions. Any horse...
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  • Final preparations for the 6 am start.

  • Empty horse runs await inter race checkups.

  • Riders nervously await the start.

  • A stallion gets skitish in the last seconds before the start.

  • And they're off. 2009 desert Marathon begins.

  • Bedouin along the routs have camped overnight for this vantage spot.

  • Two riders racing early in the first leg.

  • Finding their pace.

  • Sunset a dust silhouette the riders.

  • Despite the desert sun, the early morning air is visible in the breath of horse and rider.

  • Two bundled riders brave the arly morning cold.

  • Three riders come around the jebel.

  • Riders and trainers in jeeps silhouetted against the rock plateaus.

  • A lone rider comes over the dune against an orange sky.

  • Approaching the deeper sand.

  • Approaching the deeper sand. B/W

  • Arabian sinking in deep sand.

  • Rider down after accident.

  • Passing in front of the old fort.

  • Two riders pacing past the old fort.

  • Trainer's rally jeep coming into deep dunes.

  • Three riders trotting into the dunes.

  • A young arab boy competes in this endurance ride.

  • Water is supplied at regular intervals to ensure horses stay fit.

  • A rider almost falls in front of the old fort.

  • A city jeep gets stuck in the deep sand dune.

  • A horse continues after losing rider.

  • An officer in the army security forces.

  • A bedouin with his falcon watches the finish line.

  • A close-up of the bedouin and his falcon, a traditional hunting means.

  • Princess Alia.

  • A young boy dressed as a soldier.

  • Ali, animal health specialist.

  • Horses are checked after every stage to ensure optimal health conditions.

  • A rider who's horse has been disqualified for health reasons.

  • Dr Ali checking the heart rate of a horse.

  • A disqualified horse is given an IV of saline.

  • A trainer running her horse before the medical check.

  • The desert marathon winner.

  • The winner

  • A white arabian.

  • Final checkup before a winner can be confirmed.

  • Awaiting nervously the decision.

  • The trainer congratulating his winning rider and horse.

  • A rider finishes.