Abu Dhabi : The spotlight will once again be on Abu Dhabi as the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club plays host to the President of the UAE Showjumping Cup which starts today.
With a strong field of showjumpers led by reigning world champion Jos Lansink of Belgium, a total purse of 500,000 euros (Dh2.6 million) and a free raffle for three cars will make this venue located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai a hive of activity over the next three days.
Lansink, who won the world title in Aachen, Germany in 2006 and will be defending his crown in Kentucky, US, this year, said he will be gunning for the President's Cup, which is a five-star event and carries a total prize money of 300,000 euros.
Growth in stature
"This is brilliant weather and my horses are coming from -10 degrees to this warm spring weather. Some of the best riders are here and I am confident this event will grow in stature," the Dutch-born Belgian told a press conference yesterday.
"I will be riding Valentina van't Heike here and this is a horse that I am hoping will be my partner at the world championship," said Lansink, who will only be taking part in the individual events.
One of his main opponents will be Ireland's Cameron Hanley, who said that it will be the team title in the Nations Cup on which the Irish will be concentrating.
"Dermott Lennon [2002 world champion] is part of our team and we are keen to do well," Hanley said, adding that his team of riders had decided to start a fund for the Haiti earthquake victims. "It is a small gesture and we hope to do our bit," he said.
Switzerland's Clarissa Crotta, who was a team gold winner at the world championship, said, "Abu Dhabi is amazing and the facilities here are unbelievable. Though I will be gunning for the Grand Prix this year, next year hopefully we will come here as a team," Crotta said.
Best riders
Taleb Daher Al Muhairi, general secretary of the Emirates Equestrian Federation, said, "We are proud to host some of the world's best riders. Next year we will see this event get bigger with a larger purse on offer."
"We have three cars, one to be raffled each day, while there will also be hundreds of other prizes for the spectators. We will see the UAE riders and some of the best in the region take on the best in the world and it will be a high-quality three days of showjumping," he said.
There will be a separate Heritage Village with a children's entertainment area, food courts and other features to attract people of all ages.
Sponsors for the championship include Emaar, Longines, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Meydan and Al Masood Automobiles, among others.
