ABU DHABI // Maitha Al Hajri is confident of a strong showing from the Emirati riders in the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA) International Showjumping Cup.
The fourth staging of the event is set to draw more than 120 riders from 20 countries in the main FEI CSI 2 Star competition on February 24 and 25 at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
“The Emirati riders have won against some of the top foreign competitors on different occasions and I believe they can match them or do even better and win,” said Al Hajri at yesterday’s launch ceremony of the event at Marriott Hotel.
“I have two horses entered. Alaska, my main competition horse, and Babs Du Rouet. I competed in the main ranking class last year with Alaska and I hope I can do better this time around.”
Last year, Al Hajri finished 10th on Alaska, a 12-year-old bay mare, in the CSI 2 Star Table A and occupied the same position in the CSI 2 Star Accumulator on-board Babs Du Rouet, a 12-year-old chestnut mare.
“We all must face some tough competition in this event,” she said. “One of the early confirmations for the event is Marion Hughes, an Irish rider who competed in the Olympics even before I was born. So, she has a lot of experience.
“And there are many others. But I don’t think that us as Emirati riders have any disadvantage. We have beaten them on different occasion and it all comes down to who can do it on that day.”
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, board member at the FBMA, said the competition was one of the major events of their calendar.
“Our objective goal is to inspire the Emirati women to pursue leading roles in the sports and this competition is one that serves our mission to inspire them to reach their full potential in the sport.”
Adnan Al Nuaimi, general manager of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, said the two-day event also include CSI 1 Star competitions for Young Riders and Juniors, and Young Horses, besides other categories for the international and local riders.
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