Dubai to have indoor showjumping school

Dubai will have an indoor school for showjumping soon.

"We are planning to build an indoor school at the Dubai Equestrian Centre (DEC)," remarked Ian Kerr, the organiser of the Maktoum International Showjumping Challenge and DEC trainer to the Gulf News yesterday.

"The plan to set up such a school is to coach riders during summer. Every year we had to stop our activities at the DEC from June and then open only in September owing to the extreme heat. An indoor school will help us to give training throughout the year," remarked Kerr, who will be completing a decade as trainer with the DEC, next year.

The DEC was established in 1983. Over the last 17 years, the Centre has progressed at a tremendous pace. "I am completing nine years here and each year it has been getting better," said Kerr.

The DEC which started off with just 20 horses has now a training centre of 140 horses. "The popularity of the sport has been increasing with every year," said Kerr.

The DEC has plans to rope in international stars to train the riders in Dubai. "We have been in touch with the great Olympic star, Nick Skelton from England. We have just started negotiations with him, and hopefully, we should get him to train our riders at least twice a year here," added Kerr.

"The sport's increasing popularity has been a great encouragement for the organisers to plan out big international events. The Maktoum International Showjumping Challenge is the biggest show we have ventured upon. After this show, we will get together and chalk out our future plans. For this show we could only bring in three top international riders like Michael Whitaker, Geof Billington and Peter Charles. We want to organise something bigger than this event next year with at least nine of the best riders of the world," said Kerr.

There are also plans to modify the course at the DEC to stage high competitions and give top class training. "We have flown in a very good course builder, Echard Hilkard from Germany. He is studying the course and will give us suggestions on the modifications. We badly need to do it as we are getting bigger and better with every year," said Kerr.

The most encouraging aspect, according to Kerr, is the interest for the sport among the nationals. "A lot of nationals are coming into the sport and are doing well. Even riders as young as seven are coming for training."