Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club and the Emirates Equestrian Federation have joined forces to organise the "2019 Sharjah Ruler Cup International Show Jumping Championship" at the prestigious Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, SERC
SHARJAH, (Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2019) Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club and the Emirates Equestrian Federation have joined forces to organise the "2019 Sharjah Ruler Cup International Show Jumping Championship" at the prestigious Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, SERC.
The event is being held under the directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and enjoys the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council.
More than 160 riders from 42 countries, including some of the top jumpers from the UAE, are expected to participate in event that being held under the supervision of the International Equestrian Federation, FEI, and enjoys a title sponsor in leading luxury watch manufacturer Longines.
UAE riders will be joined by contingents arriving from Algeria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Ireland, Jordan, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Comoros, Spain, Syria, Switzerland, Greece, Sweden, Ukraine, United States, Libya, Kuwait, Bolivia, Palestine, Canada, United Kingdom, Iran, Lebanon, Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Iraq, Japan, Thailand, Latvia, and Taiwan.
Among the local hopefuls are Sheikh Ali Al Qassimi, Sheikh Ali Al Nuaimi, Sheikh Majed Al Qassimi and also Abdullah Al Muhairi, Nadia Taryam, and Mohammed Sultan Al Yahya’ie, who will ride in the competitions for the younger age groups.
Like in previous years, the 2019 Sharjah Ruler Cup International Show Jumping Championship will be held in two parts with the CSI 3* event from January 24th to 26th, 2019, serving as a prelude to the spectacular CSI 5* event that runs from January 30th to February 2nd, 2019.
A total of AED750,000 (€174,000) in prize money is up for grabs during the first week of the event and will be spread out over 20 competitions in the various classes – CSI 3*, CSIYH1*, CSIOY, CSIOJ and CSIOCh. Both the indoor and outdoor arenas will be used to host the competitions with 11 categories slated for the outdoors and nine to be held indoors.
The feature among the first weekend’s action is the CSI3* Sharjah Grand Prix presented by Longines, which will be held at the outdoor arena and carries a prize purse of a massive €50,200. The Sharjah Grand Prix will see riders and horses compete over two timed rounds.
Sharjah will also host the first of three annual FEI Group VII Finals starting this year, with action to be seen in the Children, Juniors and Young Riders categories. Subsequent finals will be held in 2020 and 2021.
Sultan Khalifa Al Yahya’ie, the Director-General of Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, said, "It will be different this year and much stronger than last year. This event is the biggest of its kind in the region and it is both indoor and outdoors with some of the best riders from the region and overseas arriving to compete."
"This year we are also hosting the Group 7 Series finals here and that should be an exciting series of competitions as well. Additionally, there will be a meeting for the Group 7 nations of the FEI that will run on the sidelines of the event. So we have a good schedule of events lined up."
Dr. Ghanem Mohammed Al Hajri, the Secretary-General of the Emirates Equestrian Federation, EEF, added, "We are very pleased to be here and represent the EEF, which is responsible for overseeing equestrian events taking place across the UAE and this is part of a long schedule of show jumping events in the country that have been designed to improve the quality of UAE jumpers.
"The infrastructure and facilities here are second to none and that’s why we attract many top riders from around the world. The fact that we will have 42 different nationalities represented here says a lot about the competition."
Joining the roster of sponsors apart from Longines are Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Al Shira’aa, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharjah sports, Sharjah Equine Hospital, Cavalor and Al Sakb Equestrian.
Speaking on behalf of title sponsor Longines, Regional Brand Manager, Patrick Aoun said, "Longines’ support for Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club is not new.
"We have been in partnership for at least 15 years and one of the reasons for that is the club management always delivers. This is indeed an international event because there are 42 countries participating and that is a really large number.
"Sharjah is well-equipped to host an event of this scale because they have an indoor and outdoor facility that is top class. When it comes to the elements needed to succeed everything is in place here.
"It gives us the chance to maximise our reach in terms of visibility and the message we want to convey which is we are there for the sport."
A large number of spectators are expected to visit SERC during the course of the competition and Al Yahya’ie believes the entire family will be entertained.
"We want to invite families and equine lovers to come and enjoy the great atmosphere during the days of the competition because it is bound to have something for everybody. The best riders will be on the show and we must arrive in numbers to support our UAE teams," Al Yahya’ie said.
