October 9 - Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (pictured) makes his return to international riding next Wednesday (14 October) following a six-month doping ban in the test event for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games.



The Sheik was banned from competition for six months after being found guilty of doping his horse Tahhan at an event in Bahrain, in January and, again, in another event in Dubai the following month.

Traces of banned substances Guanabenz and Hydroxy-Stanozolol were found in the horse's system.

It was particularly embarrassing for his wife, Princess Haya of Jordan, who is President of the FEI and has campaigned to clean up equestrian's doping and medication problems.
 

His six-month suspension ended on October 3 and a spokesman for the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) confirmed that the Sheik is now "free to ride in international competition".


Riders from the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Romania and Spain will compete in the Kentucky Cup Endurance in preparation for next year's Endurance World Championship at the 2010 Games.


The team from the UAE will be led by Sheikh Mohammed and his son Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, will also ride.


Kentucky Cup Endurance will feature both a 75-mile (120 km) race and a 100-mile (160 km) race comprising a series of loops through the Kentucky Horse Park and surrounding properties.