Abu Dhabi: After the sensational triple medal haul by the UAE endurance team which included a team gold medal as well, a group of UAE show jumpers will compete against the world's best in the Team Championship, starting tomorrow, at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky, Lexington, US.
The UAE team — which include the experienced Shaikha Latifa Al Maktoum, who has already participated in the Asian Games and in the Olympics — will make their debut in the show jumping team championship event.
Shaikha Latifa will be on Kalaska de Semilly and the other members of the UAE team are Shaikh Shakhbout Bin Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan (Muscaris D Ariel), Shaikh Majid Al Qasimi (Co-Jack) and Ahmad Al Junaibi (Picobello Wodiena).
A press release from the Emirates Equestrian Federation quoted Shaikha Latifa as saying: "I have put in a lot of time and effort to prepare the horse [Kalaska de Semilly] for this competition and I expect good results."
Shaikh Shakbout said he was satisfied with his horse Muscaris D Ariel, which accompanied him on several competitions last year. "This is the first time I am participating in such a big competition and I am proud to represent the UAE in the international arena.''
Shaikh Majid Al Qasimi is also representing the UAE for the first time. He thanked the Emirates Equestrian Federation for giving him an opportunity to participate in The UAE President's Cup in Abu Dhabi at the beginning of this year which enabled him to qualify for the WEG.
Taleb Daher Al Muhairi, secretary-general of the Emirates Equestrian Federation, said: "This is a significant moment for the UAE team and all eyes are focused on the country. The UAE jumpers have put in a lot of effort to participate in this event."
He added: "Having already won the gold, silver and bronze medals in the endurance event during the championship, expectations will be high. The competition is certainly going to be very tough with strong contenders from all over the world, especially Europe, but we have lot of confidence in our jumpers."
Jumpers from 41 countries are expected to take part in the event which starts at the Kentucky Horse Village today. A total of 136 riders and 138 horses from 27 countries will be in the fray.
