ABU DHABI: 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 of the President of the UAE Show Jumping Cup and FEI’s Longines League of Nations, affirmed the continuous efforts and preparations by all committees to ensure the successful organisation of both championships, which are scheduled to take place from 8th to 11th February at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort.

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 reimagines the storied history of the FEI Jum
ping Nations Cup with a unique, unified, and global format.

The inaugural Longines League of Nations season will see 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 secure one of the coveted spots at the Longines League of Nations Final in Barcelona (ESP) where the best eight nations will battle for the title.

Al Yahyai explained that the FEI’s recognition of the UAE’s hosting of the championship was not arbitrary but was the result of the trust in the country’s competence in hosting international equestrian events and the professionalism of the Emirati personnel in organising such tournaments.

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. The programme aims to prepare the team ahead of their participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics, through their involvement in several international championships.

Source: Emirates News Agency