Club specialises in training and showjumping activities

Abu Dhabi: The management of the Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club (AAESGC) gives a lot of importance to equestrian activities as it was founded as an equestrian club before adding more sports to its calendar and also because equestrian is deeply rooted in the heritage of the country.

"We specialise in showjumping, teaching youngsters and hosting local and international championships," Ali Farouk, the former captain of the Iraq showjumping team and trainer at the Equestrian Club said.

The AAESGC has achieved great success and made a name for itself in the international arena when they hosted the Al Ain International Showjumping Championship, a qualifier for the World Cup in February. All participants from 28 countries had praised the facilities at the club and the hospitality of the organisers.

"We are proud of our facilities which enable us to host domestic or international showjumping events. We have an indoor air-conditioned arena to host the competitions in any weather, 155 air-conditioned stables, an 80 metres swimming pool, four equestrian surface arenas, 15 sand paddocks and three walker machines.

Additionally, there is also a 3,000 metre international standard race track (tabita sand) where the horses are kept in top shape and which will host flat horse racing competitions at the start of the new season in the UAE.

"We have about 200 riders, locals and expatriates, to whom we teach the basics of the sport in two daily sessions — a morning session from 7-9 and an evening session from 5-9.

"At the moment we have 50 horses for training purposes and for competitions, in addition to 20 live-in privately owned horses whose owners rent our stables for their upkeep," Farouk added.

The AAESGC will host four rounds of the UAE Showjumping Championship in the new season.

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