ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Preparations are on track for The President of the UAE Show Jumping Cup and the international federation-conducted Longines League of Nations, which will be held simultaneously at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort.
This was affirmed on Tuesday by Sultan Mohammed Al Yahyai, Member of the Board of Directors of the UAE Equestrian And Racing Federation, Chairman of the Federation’s Show Jumping Committee, and Deputy Chairman of the Organising Committee for the event to be held from February 8-11.
The President of the UAE Show Jumping Cup will witness the participation of between 50 and 60 riders representing the elite of the equestrian world, along with the top 10 international teams, alongside the UAE team in the Longines League of Nations, in the presence of Ingmar de Vos, President of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), and the heads of state of participating countries, Al Yahyai said.
The FEI’s new series is building on the storied history of the FEI Jumping Nations Cup with a unique, unified, and global format where 10 teams will pit collective skills over four qualifying events. The inaugural one is at the 1.6-kilometre expanse of Al Forsan.
The new League of Nations season will see 10 of the world’s best Jumping teams compete against each other at four qualifiers in Abu Dhabi (UAE), Ocala (USA), St. Gallen (SUI) and Rotterdam (NED), in order to make the cut for the final in Barcelona where the best eight nations will battle for the title.
Al Yahyai also announced the launch of an intensive programme to prepare the UAE Show Jumping team, under the supervision of Al Shira’aa Stables and its owner and founder, Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA), and Chairwoman of the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club and Al Ain Ladies Club.