Dh250,000 Festival of the Horse at EEC on Friday

The Dh250,000 Festival of the Horse, a new concept in UAE equine competition will take place on Friday, May 10, at Emirates Equestrian Centre (EEC) under the patronage of Sheikha Maryam bint Mohammed Al Maktoum.

This show represents the first time that the separate disciplines of showjumping, cross country and dressage as well as young rider classes have been held at the same show on the same day in the UAE.

With the highest prize money on offer for a class in both cross country (Dh35,000 across two classes) and dressage (Dh55,000 across one class) the show will also feature a Dh160,000 showjumping class and draws its competitors from a select list of the UAE’s best riders.

It is presented as a celebration of horsemanship in the UAE and features a host of free family entertainments running alongside the high-calibre equine competitions.

Abdulla al Marri, a showjumper based at EEC who has represented the UAE all over the world at many international events said: “All of us train very hard yet some of us are not exposed to every discipline out there because we are all focused on our own sport.

“Personally I am looking forward to being able to see the best of the UAE’s dressage and cross country riders in action as we rarely get to see what they can do in competition. And the same goes for them, they will get to see us. It will be great to see them excel at the sport they train so hard for.”

Al Marri, who heads to a summer season in Europe following Friday’s event, added that spectators can expect to see the top riders in the UAE.

“It will be a tough competition,” he said. “We have just had our championships and it will be many of the same riders competing again, so it’s really going to be the best of the best in every discipline.”

Visiting youngsters can take advantage of facepainting, a kids’ zone, pony rides, and a bouncy castle.

There will be a free raffle featuring prizes including televisions, ipads and mobile phones. A live band will further add to the festival atmosphere.

The competition starts at 4.30 pm with cross country, before moving on to Pony Club showjumping at 6 pm. The showjumping and dressage in the main arenas both get underway at 6.30 pm.

Emirates Equestrian Centre is located next to Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa and Dubai International Endurance City.

 

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