The Organizing Committee of the World Endurance Championships, which are taking place next month in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, have confirmed that they have received definite entries for 188 horses from 41 nations.

The horses are all due to start arriving in Dubai around January 8, allowing them time to acclimatize ahead of the competition which takes place on January 26-27, 2005.

At the final trial, which took place in Dubai last weekend held at the Dubai Endurance Village, the Organizing Committee and the FEI confirmed that everything had worked perfectly.

The village now looks forward to welcoming the expected 800 riders, crew members, team vets, team farriers, team doctors, horse owners and officials who will take part in what is likely to be the biggest Equestrian World Championship ever.

Full details of the riders and horses taking part will be published on the FEI web site in early January after the Christmas and New Year holidays.