Amna Bani Hashem qualifies at Fatma Bint Mubarak’s Academy’s International Show Jumping Cup

Emirati award-winning female show jumper, Amna Bani Hashem drew attention as one of the leading females in show jumping by participating more than once at Fatma bint Mubarak Academy’s (FBMA) International Show Jumping Cup. This added to her existing list of equestrian accolades, and this is in line with her vision to represent the UAE at the Olympics one day.

Hosted annually, the FBMA International Show Jumping Cup is widely known for gathering female riders from around the world to compete for the prestigious title and is considered “a platform bringing together the most skilled horse riders on an international level while allowing Emirati talents to benefit from their expertise and to represent an image of the UAE, always striving to achieve more”. Among other contestants, Amna secured 4th and 6th places during the FBMA International Show Jumping Cup.

Together with her vision and goal to represent the UAE in the competitive sport, Amna aims to inspire other women along the way, paying testament to her belief that through determination and perseverance, it is possible to succeed in the “male-dominated sport, even without any sponsorship.

“Women are underestimated in sport, and this is a fact in many industries not exclusive to show jumping. Women need more sponsors to push them into the professional categories, as the sport is heavily dependent on finance,” said Amna.

Amna started her riding career as a teen with zero familiarity or prior experience and decided to pursue a career in show jumping when she realized one day that her love for horses felt "like a gift from God". After visiting a farm stable in Al Ruwayyah, Amna entered her first competition within the first three months of joining the sport. Without funding, and years later, Amna went on to win the UAE championship, recognized and awarded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and invited to complete leadership skills at the Royal Military College Sandhurst.

Amna will move on to compete at several championships throughout the year and will continue to pursue her vision of putting the country on the map for female sports, and inspiring women to achieve any goal or dream, no matter the obstacles.