Dubai: The fourth and only international round of the Gulf Elite Tour, hosted by Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club (SERC), is set to kick off on Thursday under the rules and supervision of the FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports).
The events’ sponsors include Longines, Mil Capital, Jumeirah Hotels, Generosity Water and JLL. The show jumping event spans three days and culminates on Saturday, January 27.
The total prize money for the show is Dh400,000 with the ten classes, held over the three days to include the Longines Speed Challenge, the Mill Capital Masters, Jumeirah Mini GP and the Longines GP. Fences will range from 120cm in the first round up to 145cm height in the Grand Prix.
The Tour will see a number of world-class riders from over 30 countries will be in action.
Riders to watch out for include Pieter Clemens (Belgium), Tina Lund (Denmark), Andre Sakakini (Italy), Frédéric David (France) , Nigel Coupe ((Leading Showjumper of the Year 2017) and Emma Victoria Finnie (Great Britain), Prince Mansour Al Soud and Ramzy Al Dahami (KSA), Mohamed Al Gaiar (Egypt), Haytham Eid (Lebanon), and from UAE, Shaikha Latifa Bint Ahmad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Shaikh Ali Bin Jamal Al Nuaimi, Salem Khamis Al Suwaidi and members of the UAE Nations Cup winning team including Abdullah Al Merri, Shaikh Majed Bin Abdullah al Qasimi, Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, Mohammad Al Kumaiti and Mohammad Al Hajri.
Shaikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Co-Founder and Ambassador for the Gulf Elite Tour, said: “This event will see fantastic, international competition and it will include some class formats that have not yet been seen this season, such as the Mill Capital Masters.
“We hope to make an impact on this year’s equestrian calendar.”
Event Director and CEO, Rosanna Chopra said: “It is a great honor and privilege to bring our event to Sharjah.
“The facility is exceptional, the support we have received is incredible and I am in no doubt that we are in for a great weekend of competition, high stakes and I suspect a lot of fun. We plan to put on quite a show!”
