Junior jump-off

Abu Dhabi: Young show jumpers from the region had a field day when they clinched the first three places at the FEI Children's International Jumping Final on Thursday at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

While Syrian lads managed to grab the first and third places, UAE girl Aisha Al Shamsi kept the country's flag flying high by winning the second place. It was a moment of great pride for the host country as another girl from the UAE, Madelaine Wilson, jumped away with the top honours at the Farewell Competition.

As many as 28 competitors, including four from the UAE, took part in the championship which was being held in Abu Dhabi for the second time. Youngsters from as far as Bolivia, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Qatar, South Africa, Russia, Syria and the US were in the country for the four-day event. It was opened by Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, FEI President and wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Qualified

The four-day event being held at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club was organised by the Emirates Equestrian Federation under FEI supervision.

A total of 14 riders took part in the Farewell Competition and another 14 vied for the Championship Final. The Farewell Competition was open to those who were not qualified for the finals. The finals featured 50 per cent of participants from the 1st and the second qualifying competitions.

Syrian rider Mohammad Jabri could not contain his excitement when he finished the jump off in 46.77 seconds with no faults to be declared the world children's champion. After winning the championship Jabri said it was a beautiful experience for him to be the world champion. While commenting on the level of competitions he said it was very touching and challenging. "The jumping arena in the UAE is brilliant. I was very lucky to work with the horse which was brought from Syria and I had sound knowledge of the horse. The championship was very competitive and the fences were difficult to jump but I managed it and I am indeed very happy," he said and added that he wanted to add more feathers to his cap by taking part in several competitions.

Al Shamsi finished the jump-off in 49.55 seconds riding seven-year-old Ograaf D'adriers. The young rider dedicated her prize to Shaikha Shamma Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, and was very modest in her comments, saying she was happy to reach even the finals.