Dubai’s first-ever FEI Eventing competition to be held at Emirates Equestrian Centre on Dec.7

 Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Some of the UAE’s best equestrian athletes will look to make history by becoming the first-ever winner of an FEI-sanctioned eventing competition in Dubai when the ‘FEI WEC - Category A and National One Day Event’ is held at Emirates Equestrian Centre on Saturday.

The inaugural event is being sponsored by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation (UAEERF) and is organised jointly by the UAEERF and the Emirates Equestrian Centre with the intention of enhancing the quality of Emirati riders and getting them the necessary points and experience needed to qualify for international eventing competitions, with the Olympic Games, seemingly, the ultimate target.

Eventing has been part of the Olympics’ schedule since the 1912 Stockholm Games and the maiden championship shows the UAE’s ambition in wanting to secure more spots for its athletes at the quadrennial games.

A FEI WEC - Category A event is considered a top-tier preparatory or qualifier competition designed to prepare athletes for the first levels of FEI competitions and is open to equestrian athletes aged 14 and above.

Organisers are expecting a healthy turnout with this first-of-its-kind event promising to set the standards nationwide for competitive eventing, which consists of a formidable combination of the three major equestrian events of jumping, dressage and cross country and blends athleticism with artistry and precision, whilst celebrating the synergy between horse and rider.

According to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), eventing ‘is truly a complete sport that tests both the horse and rider in all aspects of horsemanship, and one of the three Olympic disciplines’.

Commenting on the inaugural edition of the competition, Ali Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of Dubai Racing Club, which manages the Emirates Equestrian Centre, said: “This is the start of something really big and we look forward to hosting this FEI WEC - Category A event as it gives our equestrian athletes a change to perform on the world stage.

“This is a really great platform and we encourage our athletes to make the most of this opportunity.

“Dubai Racing Club has evolved into one of the most dynamic equestrian organisations worldwide with a wide range of offerings and facilities that go beyond the purview of racing and cater to other equine sporting disciplines. Eventing is a sport that we support fully as we hope to nurture the next generation of equine stars that will make the country proud.”

Tahra Ahmad, the manager of co-organisers Emirates Equestrian Centre, added: “This is a great way to promote the sport and get our riders the experience needed to qualify for FEI competitions so that they can eventually qualify for Olympic Games in the future.

“Equestrian sport is very much an integral part of UAE culture and is steeped in the traditions of our country, with our riders doing the country proud over the years and we are expecting a large turnout of nearly 80 riders.

“I would like to thank the UAEERF for choosing the Emirates Equestrian Centre to host this first-ever FEI competition and we will do our very best to ensure the event is worthy of its status. We would like to wish all those participating in this historic event all the very best.”