Huge number of participants for Show Jumping Cup

The Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA) has announced the launch of the 12th edition of the International Show Jumping Cup from Jan.2 to 5, 2025 at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

The Cup is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (Mother of the Nation), Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and the follow-up of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the FBMA and Chairwoman of both the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club and the Al Ain Ladies Club.

With a total prize pool of Dhs800,000, the event will host over 300 riders from more than 40 countries. The competition serves as a global platform showcasing exceptional talent and highlighting the UAE’s position as a hub for equestrian excellence.

Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza stated: “The 12th edition of this championship is a testament to the UAE’s growing prominence in equestrian sports. It reflects FBMA’s commitment to providing world-class platforms for Emirati riders to compete alongside international athletes for distinguished titles.

“We take pride in the tournament’s achievements and aim to strengthen the UAE’s presence on the global sports stage while empowering Emirati talents to represent our nation.”

This year’s event will feature 29 rounds across seven competitive categories, including CSI2, CSIYH1, CSICH-A, CSIJ-A, CSIY-A, CSIU25 and National Category.

Riders from around the globe and talented Emirati athletes will compete, making this an intense and highly anticipated championship.

Last year, the 11th edition of the event saw 233 of the world’s best riders competed across four days in one of showjumping’s showpiece occasions held at at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club.

More than 300 horses competed across 19 classes in six different categories, with a total prize fund of Dhs700,000 given out.

The UAE was well represented across the course of the competition with 97 riders, 44 male and 53 female.

The event categories included: CSICH-A, CSIJ-A, CSIY-A,* Nationals Special, CSIYH1* and the main showpiece CSIL2*.

Thirty-nine countries were represented across the four days of competition, an increase of five from last year’s edition, offering a special platform for local and international riders and showjumpers.

The final day’s biggest prize was won by Chloe Vranken who took first place in the CSIL2* (One Horse per Rider) — One Round with Jump Off over the 140cm fences. The Belgian national recorded a time of 38.35 in the second round to claim the 8,750 euro prize (Dhs35,000) on Emir De Vy ahead of a strong 26-rider field.

On board Jacarta Equigenne, Spain’s Maria Gonzalez laguillo finished in second, 0.57 seconds behind the leader, while Celine Schoonbroodt De Azevedo made it a second Belgian national in the top-three on Conseno Blue PS.

Eve McCoy, a UK national, was victorious in CSIL2* (One Horse per Rider) one round with jump off, adding to her first place accumulator finish. On board Cocktail D’Azur, McCoy produced two rounds over the 120cm fences to push the UAE’s Maryam Ahmed Abdulmalik Ahli on Don Juan 111 Z into second place — a time of 40.28 seconds in the jump off was just 0.22 ahead of the local rider. Greece’s Anna-Sophia Danalis took third on Coconut 53.