Three UAE nationals Complete FEI judges' Course in Poland
Part of Federation's move to boost Endurance

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation deputed three UAE endurance enthusiasts to attend a FEI Endurance Judges' and Endurance Veterinarians' Course held in Warsaw, Poland and they successfully completed the course. The three-day judges' course was conducted by FEI Judge Ms. Carol Bunting whereas the Veterinarians' course was conducted by Dr. Halvard Sommerset.

The three UAE nationals included Ahmed Al Hammadi, who is currently working as Celebrations ceremonies director at the Abu Dhabi Mounted Police, Capt. Mohammed Essa Al Adhab from Dubai Mounted Police and Mohammed Khalfan Al Yammahi, who works at GAMCO in Abu Dhabi.

Capt. Mohammed Essa is already an international FEI judge and was still keen to take part in the course to enhance his knowledge. Ahmed Al Hammadi, who is currently a candidate judge, participated in the course to get himself elevated to the international judge status whereas Mohammed Khalfan, who is a steward, wanted to be a Technical delegate.

Ahmed Al Hammadi started his career as a rider by joining the Abu Dhabi Mounted Police in 1991 where he worked for three years. He has undergone several training courses in different countries including Jordan, France and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

All the three participants attended the course to update themselves on the new FEI rules and regulations, part from being technically certified. Hammadi particularly thanked the UAE Equestrian Federation for giving them all a chance to participate in the course so that "we hope we can form a nice team in the UAE and help each other in the development of the sport in the country."

The UAE Equestrian Federation deputes riders, trainers and other endurance-related officials to participate in international seminars, symposia, workshops and FEI courses, so that they can be abreast with the latest technological development in the field.

UAE Equestrian Federation Committed to implement FEI decisions

The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation is pleased to state that the endurance season during 2004-2005 was immensely successful due to unlimited support from the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of other emirates.

The success achieved by the UAE in this sport in mainly because of its high organizational capacity from all concerned directly or indirectly with the sport, so much so that the country has become the endurance capital of the world.

In this direction the Federation wishes to reassert that it will continue to cooperate and coordinate with all concerted bodies in this noble discipline to achieve further success in the field of equestrian games in general and endurance in particular.

At this point the UAE Federation also finds it relevant to explain the events that unfolded following the World Endurance Championship, held at Dubai Endurance City, on January 27, 2005, and the decisions taken either by the Organising Committee or the Federation Equestre Internationale, FEI, on the issue regarding the horse Hachim ridden by Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Federation received a letter from Mr. Alexander Mclin from the FEI legal department on May 2, 2005, regarding the decision of the FEI judicial committee on the positive medication case of Hachim.

The three-member committee, comprising Mr. Ken E. Lalo as chairman with Mr. Erik Elstad and Mr. Philip O'conoor as members, was set up investigate the positive test case in the urine sample taken from Hachim.

The judicial committee studied the facts presented by the FEI legal committee and also the documents presented from several concerned parties.

The panel confirmed the presence of "methylprednisolone" in the urine sample taken from Hachim. The judicial committee also confirmed the "improper" procedures followed by the Organising Committee.

Accordingly, the FEI Judicial Committee considers Sheikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the winner of the World Endurance Championship 2005 and has decided that the Sheikh Hazza should be awarded the Gold Medal and all the other relevant prizes.

The judicial committee also decided that each party bear its own costs and this should be published on the FEI website.

The UAE Equestrian Federation, in its capacity as a member of the FEI, wishes to state that it adheres to all the decisions taken by the FEI and will continue to strive for the development of this noble sport.