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HRH Princess Haya opens Children's jumping Championship HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, FEI President and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Dubai Ruler, inaugurated the FEI Children's International Jumping Final at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club premises at a glittering ceremony on Monday evening. As many as 28 jumpers including four from the UAE, are vying in the championship, which is being held in Abu Dhabi for the second time. Youngsters from as far as Bolivia, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Qatar, South Africa, Russia, Syria and the USA are in the fray for the four-day event. The inaugural day witnessed the warm-up competition which will lead to first qualifying competition the following day. HRH Princess Haya said in a message before the opening that the UAE, along with 50 other member-countries of the FEI, takes pride in creating and participating in various tournaments arranged for those eager to learn, particularly children and youth. "As the President of the FEI, I am fully confident that these tournaments will continue to evolve and progress over the course of the years, ensuring further development of the sport through successive generations of well trained riders". "Horse riding, as a local tradition across much of Arabia, particularly the UAE, continues to preserve the passion and devotion of the nation’s ancestors while keeping pace with the progress of the sport in the contemporary world. An essential part of Arabian life, equestrian sport continues to thrive across the UAE, gaining increased international recognition for various achievements that are second–to-none", she added. His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman, Emirates Equestrian Federation, said the Federation is pleased to host such an esteemed event following the competition's success in 1999-2000. "Such an endeavour also introduces an international audience to Abu Dhabi and the UAE, thus building a bridge between different cultures." Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, Secretary General, Emirates Equestrian Federation, said it was a moment of great pride for the Emirates Federation to be involved in a competition of such magnitude. "Events like this not only benefit the jumping discipline but also build a competitive spirit at a younger age to reach higher standards." Alex McLin, FEI Secretary General, applauded the riders whose efforts have brought them through the FEI series of Children’s competitions throughout the world to qualify for these finals. "Since the introduction of the International Children’s Jumping Competition in 1995, the interest and dedication from National Federations and organisers around the world has been exemplary, what better way to encourage our youth than by providing them with infrastructures and events that will allow them to step up to the next level," he said.   View Photo 1View Photo 2View Photo 3View Photo 4