Emirates Equestrian Federation

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Young show jumpers from the region had a field day when they clinched the first three places at  the FEI Children's International Jumping Final  on Thursday at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club premises.

While Syrian lads managed to grab the first and the third places, UAE girl Ayesha Al Shamsi kept the country's flag flying high by winning the second place. It was a moment of great pride for the host country as another girl from the country Madelaine Wilson jumped away with the top honours at the Farewell Competition.

As many as 28 jumpers including four from the UAE, took part in the championship, which was 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 were in the fray for the four-day event, which was inaugurated by HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, FEI President and wife of His Highness sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and Vice President and Dubai Ruler.

The four-day event being held at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club was organized by the Emirates Equestrian Federation under FEI supervision.

A total number of 14 riders took part in the Farewell Competition and another 14 vied for the Championship Final. The Farewell Competition was open to those who were not qualified for the finals. The Finals featured 50 per cent of participants from the 1st and the 2nd qualifying competitions.

Syrian rider Mohammed Jabri could not contain his excitement when he finished the jump off in 46.77 seconds with no faults to be declared the world children's champion. He partnered brilliantly with 10-year-old Al Abhar.  Other Syrian youngster who finished in the third place was Hadi Nizam who rode Sakher and finished the jump-off in 52.27 second with four faults. Both the Syrian riders' horses are owned by Ahmed Hamsho.

The pride of UAE Ayesha Al Shamsi finished the jump-off in 49.55 seconds riding seven-year-old Ograaf D'adriers.

After winning the championship Mohammed Jabri said it was a beautiful experience for him to be the world champion. While commenting on the level of competitions he said it was very touch and challenging. "The jumping arena in the UAE is brilliant. I was very lucky to work with the horse which was brought from Syria and I had sound knowledge of the horse. The championship was very competitive and the fences were difficult to jump but I managed it and I am indeed very happy," he said and added that he wanted to add more feathers to his cap by taking part in several competitions.

Ayesha, while dedicating the prize to Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa al Nahyan, was very modest in her comments and said she was happy to reach even the finals. "I was lucky to get the same horse that I was training on in the draw and the championship gave me an ideal platform to mark the Emirates map in the world jumping arena."

Madelaine Wilson who partnered Carinio 7 to clinch the first place in the Farewell competition in 52.61 seconds thanked her trainer and the owner of her horse for lending her the horse. She had an unfortunate fall on the penultimate day as a result of which she could not be part of the Finals round. "I was a little disappointed after the fall but today I came to the championship with mixed emotions. Nevertheless I am happy to win this event and now I will aim for higher competitions."

Prizes including trophies, medals and certificates were given away for all the riders who took part in the Farewell competitions and Final competitions. Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the Emirates Equestrian Federation, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Sheikh Shakboot al Nahyan, UAE ace show jumper and sponsors of the championship distributed the prizes. The Championship was sponsored by Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, Al Awani General Enterprises and Maximum Air Cargo.

 Taleb Dhaher Al Muhairi, while reacting to the outcome of the championship, said: " This has been a very successful championship for the Emirates Federation. For the first time, we had general public coming to witness the events.'

"We were little apprehensive about some riders from other countries and I am very happy the region has emerged as the world champion in show jumping. We had pinned our hopes on Ayesha to be the champion but we are pleased she could at least get the second place."
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