Sharjah’s Suwaidi dominates Show Jumping Championship

Dubai: Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club’s Salim Khamis Al Suwaidi and his horse Espresso won the 21st Emirates Show Jumping Championship.

This competition showcased 15 classes over three days at the Emirates Equestrian Centre in Dubai, held under the supervision of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation (UAEERF) with Longines as the title sponsor, official time keeper and presenting partner of the Emirates Longines Show Jumping league competitions.

The championship started on Thursday and concluded on Saturday, before all eyes and horse racing crowds went to the Meydan to watch the Dubai World Cup 2019.

The Emirates Championship celebrated UAE riders from all categories approved by the UAEERF, who participated in the Emirates Longines Show Jumping League’s national and international competitions during the UAE’s show jumping season.

Children, Juniors, Young Riders, as well as Division 1 and 2 riders, rode in their respective classes with each category riding in three competitions - one on each day of the championship.

The results are judged according to the special rules for the championship and the riders’ results are carried over to the championship’s final day of competitions.

The championship carried a total purse of Dhs.400,000, which was distributed amongst winning riders.

Major General Dr Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, President of UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation said: “Following the biggest weekend in the equestrian world - where both the 24th edition of the Dubai World Cup and the 21st Emirates Show Jumping Championship took place –– we celebrate not only the UAE as a hub for equestrian sports but also our immense love and respect for the horse.”

He continued: “We would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his extraordinary vision and the ability to see the world as a true equestrian where the past and future are linked by the common thread of heritage and values.”

“Just as Sheikh Mohammad’s inspirational new book mentions that his first horse taught him that achievements are never accomplished without work; we, too, have seen this in our national riders who have put tremendous effort and dedication into what they do, every day.

“This is what spurs us all on to achieve more for the sport as we head towards the end of an incredible season which has seen more international show jumpers than ever before travel to the UAE to compete in world class competitions delivered by the Federation and venues across the UAE.

50 international riders, 180 riders from the Middle East including 100 riders from the UAE show this sport is growing year on year due to the facilities, events and quality of competition we now offer on UAE soil.”

Salim Khamis Al Suwaidi and his 10 year-old horse ‘Espresso’ from the Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club won the final two rounds not Against the Clock class with jumps placed at 150cm.

This was another title added to Suwaidi’s great record with ‘Espresso’, as he won a number of international show jumping championships during the season.

He also holds the title of winner of the Emirates Championship in the Division 1 category with his spectacular horse ‘Feline S’, which he won back in 2017.

Suwaidi came in first with a score of (3.04) penalty points in the three rounds. Sheikha Latifah Al Maktoum came in second on her horse ‘Cobolt 8’ with a score of (3.52) penalty points, and Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club’s rider Hamad Ali Al Kirbi and ‘Uxmal D’ysieux’ came in third with a score of (4) penalty points.

The Division 2 Riders’ competitions were concluded with a One Round with Jump-Off class where the course was designed with obstacles at (120cm) height.

Two riders succeeded in completing the jump-off round without faults. In first place came Muftah Jawhar Al Dhahiri and ‘Bell Bottom Blues’ from Mandara Equestrian Club, who completed the jump-off in (42.74) seconds, winning him the Division 2 title.

Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club’s Moh’d Yousuf Baker and his horse ‘Foss’ came in second with a time of (45.14) seconds. Mohammed Abdullah Ketait and his horse ‘Super Trooper’ from the Emirates Equestrian Centre completed the jump-off in (42.45) seconds with a score of (4) penalty points, landing him in third.