Dubai: UAE showjumper Abdullah Al Merri takes all aspects of his sport seriously — the training, preparation, execution. Al Merri has mastered it, and it showed on Friday night at the Emirates Equestrian Centre (EEC) as he bagged the main showjumping class at the inaugural Festival of the Horse.
The multi-discipline event, a first of its kind in the UAE, was designed by Shaikha Maryam Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with a vision to make it an feature on the international equestrian calendar.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was in attendance as large crowd cheered the participants competing in the separate Olympic disciplines of showjumping, cross country and dressage.
Al Merri, a policeman by day and showjumper by night, has been a long-standing member of the national showjumping team.
He was delighted at winning the high-class competition aboard the eight-year-old mare Alaska, a horse that he acquired four years ago and who has become his trusted ally.
“Honestly it feels like I have just won the first Dubai World Cup,” said Al Merri, who has competed in the UAE’s colours at major showjumping events around the world.
“From small beginnings the Dubai World Cup has grown to become one of the most important race days in the world, and this show could follow in the footsteps of that.
“We have started here today and who knows where it will go from here. I want to thank Shaikha Maryam on behalf of all the competitors for the opportunity we have had today.”
Arif Ahmad on Tjo O Tjim finished runner-up while Salem Khamis Al Suwaidi took third place on Feline S.
Tracy Wyngard-Gill, another EEC rider, won the dressage event on Erkan with a score of 70.6 per cent, while Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club’s Susanna Foustok and Tristan claimed second with 69.44 per cent. Christina Calin Thompson from Reem Al Abbar Stable was third with 67.69 per cent.
“Dressage is a growing sport in the UAE,” said Wyngard-Gill. “This show, and the exposure that it will bring in the future could really change the path of dressage in this country. The more people that compete at dressage the better and if we get international riders coming into the country that will only help increase the level still further.”
The opening cross country class was won by Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club’s Mohammad Al Nakhi on Pikanjo, while the Pony Club showjumping class went to Abigail Mason and Pepsi from EEC.
As part of the Meydan Group, the Emirates Equestrian Centre is overseen by Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC), a body which serves to organise and host quality equestrian sports for the people of Dubai and the UAE in the disciplines of endurance, dressage, showjumping and eventing.
