UAEs best dressage riders on show

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Instead of shipping horses to one international venue horse and rider combinations remain in their home countries while international judges visit and rank competitors based on their performances of set dressage tests.

Susanna Foustock competes in the 2013 FEI World Dressage Challenge at Emirates Equestrian Centre. Supplied photo

Dubai — Emirates Equestrian Centre (EEC) is preparing to host the UAE’s best dressage riders on Wednesday for the annual FEI World Dressage Challenge an international competition that the UAE won in 2012.

The event is designed to allow riders in developing dressage countries that do not have their own dressage Grands Prix to compete against other nations without the need for expensive and time-consuming international travel. Instead of shipping horses to one international venue horse and rider combinations remain in their home countries while international judges visit and rank competitors based on their performances of set dressage tests.

Countries are divided into geographical zones with the UAE falling into Zone 4 alongside Cyprus Greece Malta and Turkey. The UAE leg which is supported by Dubai Equestrian Club Emirates Equestrian Centre and the Emirates Equestrian Federation is sponsored by Bonjour Equestrian Supplies and is open to 40 competitors.

In 2011 the UAE finished 10th out of 53 participating countries but in 2012 UAE riders leaped into the global top spot. Cristina Calin-Thompson finished top of Zone 4 in the Prix St George category with a score of 66.5 per cent on Reem Al Abbar’s bay gelding Webster while Lynn Al Redha won the Medium section with 70.9 per cent on Legrande. Last season saw the UAE’s riders combine to a 12th-place finish overall.

“The UAE has consistently performed well in this competition” said Lilian Sternvad dressage coordinator at EEC who has been organising the event at the facility since 2003. “The FEI World Dressage Challenge is a vital tool to assist the development of the sport in smaller dressage countries. The riders compete under international rules and at international levels against riders from other countries.”

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