Arab League Show Jumping qualifier Federation competition Panel holds meeting
	The members of the Competitions Committee of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation held their 10th meeting to discuss various issues on the agenda. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Majid Al Qassimi, Chairman of the
committee and Vice President of the Federation along with members Hussein Mohammed Hussein, Sultan bin Khalifa, Ahmed Ateeq Al Rumaiti and Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi. The panel discussed several issues relating to FEI World Cup Show Jumping Arab Cup Qualifier which will be held in January in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. The UAE Equestrian Federation will dispatch invitations to all the Federations in the region to participate in these events. It was decided that the number of participants will not exceed10 from each federation (four riders with two horses per person, one trainer, one supervisor and one groom for two horses). While discussing the budget allocated for the Arab League Qualifier in the UAE, the committee also recommended that all the participating horses should be transported by air only for safety purposes. It was also suggested that a separate panel should be appointed to look into the details of the participants not only in the UAE events, but also outside the country, their visas, hotel accommodation, quarantine and movement of teams. The committee also recommended that a book, published by the UAE Equestrian Federation last year during the Arab League, should republished with necessary amendments and changes, FEI rules, ranking of riders and also the results of the last Arab League Qualifier. The committee has given a green signal for participating in the III International show Jumping Championship, which will be held in Alexandria, Egypt, from December 9 to 11. This event is a qualifier for 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. It has given assent for the UAE team's participation in International Kingdom Competition which will be held in Saudi Arabia from December 19 to 21, 2005. The committee suggested that special emphasis should be laid on training young riders and juniors in show jumping because of the advanced level achieved by them in this equestrian sport, which is an Olympic event. The committee felt the need for study in this direction which can thro light on how to train these youngsters and make them better riders. A study will also on the UAE's participation in the forthcoming Asian Games in Doha and recommendations will he submitted to His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Federation.

Show Jumping competitions in Dubai
Eric Levallois bags top spot

Eric Levallois paired superbly with Covers' Pride from the Emirates Riding Centre to win the Class 10 -A1 (One Round with Jump Off) show jumping championship held over the weekend at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club whereas Mohammed Al Kumeiti won a double by clinching the second and fourth places. The two-day events featured a total of 11 classes, which catered for all categories of riders, including Children's Clear Round Jumping and Junior's Clear Round Jumping. The competitions were organized by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation.

Kumeiti rode Al Bareq and Ivamantie respectively. Adel Khamis from Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club riding ةclair Day, and Fahed Ibrahim, riding Diabolo, from the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Centre, SERC, finished in the third and fifth places.

In another category of equal importance, Class 9-B1 (One Round Jump-Off), Mohammed al Hajri from Al Safinaat Stables finished first riding Degenhardt's Caprisio. Second place went to Rashid al Hosani from ADEC who was riding Gitane du Brumans II.

Other results are as follows:
Class 9-B1 (One Round with Jump-Off)
3rd place: Abdullah Al Zaabi, RG, (Kokie)
4th and 5th places: Hamad Ali Al Kirbi, Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Centre, (Liebe and Henreb)

Class: 8 C-1- Competitions in Two Phases:
1st place: Salim Ahmed Al Suweidi, SERC, ( Suzuki Ratkerane)
2nd place: Ahmed Al Sowaidi, Emirates Heritage Club, (Homa Lineke)
3rd place: Michelle Woolmer, Zabeel Stables (Cartier EZ)
4th place: Mohammed Al Nowais, ADEC, (Jeune Boy)
5th place: Cristina Calin, Zabeel Stables (Heartem Knight)
6th place: Sheikh Ahmed Sultan Al Qassimi, SERC, (Millstreet)

Class: 5 A2- One round with Jump-Off
1st place: Ahmed Ameen, AJEC, (Caleelo)
2nd place: Ahmed AL Juneibi, EHC, (Kerman de l'Abbaye)
3rd place: Mohammed Al Oqais, Al Safinaat Stables, (Luzia)
4th place: Adel Khamis, ADEC, (Eclair Day)
5th place: Abdullah Humaid, SERC, (Quatro-H)

Class: 4 B2- One round with Jump-Off
1st place: Nadia Taryam, SERC, (Coralle 26)
2nd place: Hamad Ali Al Kirbi, SERC, (Genial IV)
3rd place: Mohammed Al Hajri, Al Safinaat Stables (Degenhardt's Caprisio)
4th place: Abdul Rahman Al Habsi, ADEC, (Family du Montois)
5th place: Bader Al Zaabi, ADEC, (Icard des Bois)

The Show Jumping competitions will be next held at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on November 23 and 24, 2005. The UAE Equestrian Federation organizes show jumping competitions every weekend during the winter in different parts of the Emirates including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.

Sheikh Mohammed to ride In Al Wathba Cup
UAE Endurance Season begins on Nov 17

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Minister of Defence, will be taking part in the inaugural endurance season of the year which will be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, on Thursday, November 17, 2005. Also featuring in the list of over 90 endurance riders are Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Princess Haya bint Al Hussein. After a highly successful 2004-2005 endurance season in the UAE, endurance riding will kick-start on Thursday with the CEI, three-star 120-km Al Wathba Cup.

The day will also feature Al Wathba Cup for Young and Junior Riders which is a CEI, two-star, 100-km ride.

The 120-km Al Wathba Cup will be run in five stages of 32 km, 30 km, 24 km, 18 km and 16 km respectively and will feature horses aged six and above and will be flagged off at 6 am. The Al Wathba Cup for Young and Junior Riders will be run in four stages of 32 km, 30 km, 24 km and 16 km and will have a mass start at 6.30 am.

The current season will witness 27 endurance rides and will be held at the Emirates International Endurance Village, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, Boudthib Endurance Village, Al Khatem, Abu Dhabi and Dubai International Endurance City, Seih Assalem, Dubai. The category of the rides includes those for children and juniors, Open and Federation Qualifiers. The 2004-2005 season witnessed 26 endurance rides, featuring a total number of 1,728 horses of which 683 completed successfully.

The Emirates International Endurance Village is unique in terms of architecture and the facilities provided. Endurance riders from different parts of the globe stand amazed at the marvel of this Village which is a good blend of new and the old. The Village is built in such a way that it reflects a healthy harmony between heritage and modern age. The superb design of the Village reflects a combination of Islamic and Arabic architecture. The Village has to its credit the most advanced equipment, highly trained staff at the veterinary section and computerised time-keeping and latest and modern state-of-the-art equipment to monitor welfare of the horses.

Hussein Mohammed Hussein, Secretary General of the Federation, said in remarks that the forthcoming endurance season will also feature top-class national and international riders.