With plenty to look forward to

Sheikha Latifa Al Makhtoum's performance at the Beijing Olympics was the highlight of the year in show jumping for UAE.

Show jumping will kick off in Sharjah today at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club under the patronage of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation. Last season saw several achievements in the sport, with the UAE show jumpers doing well at several competitions, including that of Sheikha Latifa Al Makhtoum at the Beijing Olympics. During the season the UAE Federation held 27 national and three international competitions.

This season features 29 competitions, of which the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club will play host to 10. The Sharjah Racing Club will feature eight, Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club and the Emirates Equestrian centre will host five each and one competition will be held at the Al Safinat Stables. The UAE will also host the qualifying rounds for the World Cup Arab League 2009 in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. At the beginning of the season, His Excellency Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, as the chairman of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, appointed Sheikh Shakboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan and Sultan Abdullah al Marzouki, as members of the Higher Committee of Show Jumping. Sheikh Shakboot was made the head of the UAE team.

The first day's competitions in Sharjah will feature four events including clear round jumping with style (Class 1.D), one round not against the clock (Class 2, C2), clear round jumping (Class 3, B3) and clear round jumping (Class 4, A3). The second day will feature clear round jumping with style (Class 5 D), two phases (Class No 6. C2), two phases (Class No 7. B2) and one round with jump-off (Class No 8. A2).

The officials for the competitions include Lisa Hareb, Atef Shawky, Khalil Ibrahim, Aziz Haroun, Ali Muhajer and Yousif al Mahmoudi. [e-mail]