Endurance Great Britain has terminated a lucrative “blanket” sponsorship deal from Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Meydan corporation, in the wake of continued welfare concerns in the Middle East.

It was announced at the beginning of January that Endurance Great Britain (EGB) had accepted  a three-year deal, which would have covered EGB’s entire international calendar, the cost of new technology, training bursaries and allowed for new ride opportunities in Great Britain.

EGB chairman John Hudson told members: “Sponsorship negotiations with Meydan will be suspended until further notice. This has been an extremely difficult decision but we believe, in view of the current national and international sensitivities and pressures surrounding the sport of endurance, it would not now be in Endurance GB’s interests to enter into a sponsorship agreement.

“We will be looking at ways to try and deliver at least some of our exciting plans,” he added. “Although without sponsorship this will be a significant challenge.”

See Pippa Cuckson’s full report from The Daily Telegraph here.