This month’s international show jumping world cup qualifier, to be held at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, shows the city’s love of horses is rubbing off. We saddled up and headed to the hub of equestrian sport in the capital to find out more
Oxer; Jump-off; Time allowed. These are everyday terms to a show jumper but to the regular sports fan, the discipline remains somewhat of a mystery. But show jumping is steadily gaining in popularity in the UAE, with more international shows being held here every year.
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (ADEC), the annual competition is a vital step towards realising the leader’s vision to make Abu Dhabi a ‘cornerstone’ for equestrian sport. With that in mind, Abu Dhabi has hosted various events including a full season of flat races, young rider endurance championships and show jumping grand prix. But it’s the capital’s annual world cup qualifier that is putting Abu Dhabi on the international map for show jumping.
The sport
Show jumping is considered one of the most challenging of any sport, where both rider and horse train year-round to stay in tip-top shape. There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to clearing the fences. Horse and rider must work together to reach the speed, agility and accuracy needed to complete a course. It’s also one of the few sports where men and women compete against each other and there is no age limit for the athletes.
The competition
While each country has its own governing body for equestrian sports, Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) regulates international equestrian events, including show jumping. This month’s show will give riders a chance to win points towards qualifying for the FEI world cup and also gives regional riders the chance to earn points in the Arab League.
The Abu Dhabi leg hosts 11 classes from international junior to grand prix with a total prize of AED 1,125,000 on offer.
The riders
This month’s world cup qualifier will showcase some of the best regional and international talent with riders from the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, Ireland and Italy.
Some of the most noticeable riders from the UAE expected to take part include Sheikh Shakhboot Al Nahyan and Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum. Keep your eyes out for Ahmed Al Junaibi, currently ranked joint 9th place with Mohammad Ahmed Al Owais in the Arab League, as he battles for a spot in the World Cup.
Riders are allowed to compete with up to two different horses as they are scored as a ‘combination’ of horse and rider.
The course
Every competition is different, with a designated course designer planning out a series of fences to be ridden in a specific order. The Abu Dhabi qualifier will be planned by French course designer Frank Rothenberger who is sure to challenge riders with bright fences and tricky turns.
The riders are allowed to ‘walk’ a course before the competition begins in order to familiarise themselves with the fences, but horses are not allowed inside the arena until it is their turn to jump.
A course is typically made up of ten to 16 obstacles, or fences; these days fences come in all shapes and sizes including one inspired by the Grand Mosque itself.
The riders are given a time limit, known as time allowed, which they must keep within. The horse-and-rider combination begins with a score of zero, and receives penalties, known as faults, for any errors around the course. Faults are incurred if a horse knocks a pole or refuses a fence. In order to progress into the next round, or jump-off, they must have jumped a clear round with no faults.
Last year’s event saw over 1,500 spectators across the three-day show. The free event is open to all spectators whether you are familiar with the sport or not. There will be a raffle prize and tack shops – for riding paraphernalia – from local vendors.
The show runs from 9th to 11th January and entrance is free. For more information, visit: www.adec-web.com
Rachael Peacock
Saddle up
ADEC offered to open up its stable doors for us to have a go at the thrilling sport of show jumping, so we sent along our resident expert Rachael to get back in the saddle:
“Aurore, our trainer from ADEC, was fantastic. She was encouraging and positive, which was what we needed after having a long break from jumping.
“When we went in the morning there were plenty of other riders warming up their race horses and others training their show jumpers which made us feel like part of a horsey community.
“The outdoor arenas are a decent size; the surface is nice and springy (this is important when jumping) and there is a selection of modern fences to practice with. Most importantly, ADEC has a wonderful selection of horses of all breeds, shapes and sizes for their students to learn on.
“Show jumping is definitely a challenging sport but the rewards are incredible. It’s one of the few disciplines where you aren’t reliant on yourself; both you and the horse are athletes working together.
“Don’t expect to be jumping 1.20m straight away. Start small and perfect the basics before moving up. Jumping is an adrenaline rush and the sense of connection and communication between you and the horse is unrivalled.
“Riding takes dedication. Begin with weekly lessons so you can build up your confidence with other riders and just have fun.
“The experts at ADEC offer lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders to gain experience in the saddle. Whether you’re a confident rider or a nervous wreck, the trainers provide a safe and encouraging environment for riders to learn.”
For more information, visit: www.adec-web.com
