Sharjah Equestrian Centre to host inaugural competition

The show jumping season begins tomorrow with the inaugural competition scheduled to be held at the Sharjah Equestrian Centre Indoor stadium.

The first day of the two-day event, which starts at 8pm, will feature Class 1, 2 and 3 categories and the second will feature class 4, 5, and 6 categories.

A purse of Dh13,500 has been kept aside for the winners, according to a press release from the UAE Equestrian and racing Federation. The championship is being organised by the Federation.

The UAE Federation holds several national and some international show jumping competitions every year over the weekends during the winter months.

They are mainly held at The Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, the Abu Dhabi Mounted Police, Emirates Riding Centre, Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, Jebel Ali Equestrian Club and Ajman Equestrian Club.

The 2004-2005 season will witness 27 competitions altogether. Ten competitions will be held at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club including one CSI-W event.

Sharjah Equestrian Club will see off seven competitions including one CSI-W, the Emirates Riding Centre will host only one CSI-W, the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club will feature five competitions while the Ajman Equestrian Club and Abu Dhabi Mounted Police will host two each.

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, which adopted a long-term plan for show jumping, has ensured the all-round development of this attractive equestrian sport.

The progress in the field has resulted in a number of praiseworthy achievements both within and outside the country.

Due to the encouragement given by the President of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the sport is attracting more and more young national riders.

The Equestrian Federation has also put into motion a long-term training plan for the UAE jumpers.

While training camps are held in the UAE, some of the more promising jumpers are sent abroad to undergo focused training under international experts in the field.