ABU DHABI // The FEI CSI 4-Star showjumping competition will be the highlight of the inaugural Al Shiraa International Horse Show at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort from January 11 to 14.
Apart from the CSI 1-Star for juniors and young riders, the dressage over two days and various side events, the main competition will serve as a direct qualification for the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Canada.
Also up for grabs in the CSI 4-Star competition is a cheque of Dh1 million. Dh130,000 is the prize in the CSI 1-Star.
The events across the four days are expected to draw more than 150 riders and 300 horses.
“To qualify for the WEG, which is staged once in every four years, the riders will have to either do a clear round or maximum one fence down within the specified time,” said Mohammed Al Owais, sport director and one of the 12 riders representing the UAE in the main event.
“There are several qualification events around the world and if a rider can’t achieve it here he or she can try again in the next qualifier in the calendar.
“However, for us and the riders from the region, this certainly would be a wonderful opportunity.
“The dressage event over two days will be staged as a national championship as we didn’t get the opportunity to make it international, but we hope to achieve that status in the near future.”
According to Al Owais, each country can be represented by four riders.
“If there are four or more riders they must choose the best four to represent the country,” he said.
Al Owais will be on-board Tsunami, a nine-year-old stallion, and said they can go far in the Abu Dhabi event.
“It is a very tough course and qualifying won’t be easy,” he said.
“All we can do is give our best shot. I have a pretty good horse and all I can wish is to use the home advantage and hopefully come out with a good round on the day.”
The event is an initiative of Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza, president of the Al Shiraa Stables, and was established three years ago, to promote equestrian sport and breeding of Purebred Arabians for flat racing.
“Aside from promoting the equestrian sport, one of the major aims of this event is to instil the value of friendship between different countries and cultures,” event director Christine Stibi said.
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