Dubai Horse festival extended after inaugural success
Following its successful debut earlier this year, the HH Sheikha Maryam bint Mohammed Al Maktoum Dubai Festival of the Horse is set to become a three-day show for its 2014 renewal.
The Emirates Equestrian Centre (EEC) released its 2013/14 calendar yesterday, revealing the expansion of the show on February 13-15, having been a one-day event last May.
The festival represents a new concept in equestrian competition in the UAE, offering spectators the chance to watch the country’s top showjumpers, dressage riders and cross country riders compete in separate events on the same day.
The other highlight of the EEC season, the CSI3*-W Dubai Showjumping Championships, are scheduled from January 30-February 1 2014, and once again it is set to attract the best Arab League competitors as well as top international showjumpers.
Last season’s Dubai showpiece was won by UAE’s Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed Al Maktoum, who beat out a host of Olympic riders and medallists to take top honours with her mare Peanuts de Beaufour.
The EEC’s competitive season got underway last Monday, with the first in a series of 10 dressage and cross country training shows. Also on the calendar are six national dressage shows, as well as provision for cross country riders.
The FEI World Dressage Challenge, in which the UAE are the reigning champions, will take place on December 18 this year, while the Dubai Dressage Championship will bring the season to an end over two days from April 14-15, 2014.
Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, Deputy General Manager of Dubai Equestrian Club, the body which oversees the operations of the EEC, said: “It gives us great pleasure to see the HH Sheikha Maryam bint Mohammed Dubai Festival of the Horse expand in only its second year.
“This was a hugely popular and successful show for both spectators and competitors in its inaugural year.
“The Dubai Showjumping Championships is another major event on the UAE calendar which has always been well-supported by our own international riders as well as stars from around the world, and we look forward to hosting this exciting event once again.”
For more information about EEC events please call 050 5537 986/050 5587 656, email: info@emiratesequestriancentre.com or visit www.emiratesequestriancentre.com
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