(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) The Muscat Showjumping Series will offer an international family-friendly spectacle starting with the National Day Grand Prix event on November 24th and 25th, it was announced today.
Oman's rich and enduring affection for the horse will be reinforced by the showcase event at the Olympic Equestrian Training Centre in Al Felaij, under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Shabib bin TaimourAl Said,adviserto His Majesty the Sultan for environmental affairs.
Designed to be an equestrian experience that can be shared by the whole family, the Muscat Showjumping Series offers a friendly atmosphere, good weather and plentiful food and refreshment options. Other showjumping events are planned from December 22nd – 23rd as well as March 6th – 7th and March 30th – 31st.
The Muscat Showjumping Series has emerged from collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, the Olympic Equestrian Training Centre and the Tanfeedh economic diversification strategy, with tourism one of three industries prioritised under the project. There is a growing global demand for equestrian sports, and showjumping in particular, which Oman is ideally positioned to satisfy.
'The Tanfeedh initiative is all about engaging the private sector to maximise our potential in key industries,' said Salim Adi Al Mamari, Director General of Tourism Promotion, Ministry of Tourism.
'We are delighted to be working with the Olympic Equestrian Training Centre. With Sultan al Tooqi winning silver, Oman's first ever Olympic medal, in the showjumping event at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, there is already a legacy of talent.
'Worldwide, the economic impact of the equestrian industry is $300bn. We now hope to build a tourism legacy around the equestrian events that are hosted here in the Sultanate.'
And he added: 'This new partnership aspires to create a solid foundation for tourism, where the success of an equestrian event will translate into year-round visitors to the country, benefitting the Sultanate long-term.'
The Olympic Equestrian Training Centre venue was established by Hamood al Tooqi, Sultan al Tooqi's father, in 2010. The privately-funded 23,000 sq m world-class facility is focused on creating international and Olympic standard riders.
'I would like to thank Tanfeedh for joining forces with us to help create the Muscat Showjumping Series, and what will be a great inaugural event,' said Hamood al Tooqi. 'We are ready and waiting to welcome families to the centre, and they will find a great atmosphere and a thrilling spectacle of showjumping and equestrian skill.'
The event is supported by the Oman Equestrian Federation (OEF), which itself was formed in 1983 to promote equestrian events, with Olympic disciplines such as dressage and showjumping increasingly the focus in recent years.
OEF Secretary General Ahmed Al Abri said: 'We are delighted to support the Muscat Showjumping Series as it fits perfectly with our mission to promote and develop showjumping across Oman.
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