Emirati rider Maitha ready for showdown
abu dhabi — Emirati rider Maitha Mohammad Al Hajri is eagerly looking forward to the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy International Show Jumping Cup and said local riders can take on the very best in the world.
“On behalf of all the riders, I would say this show has improved year after year. The opportunity for young riders to come and participate in this show was great last year. Also, people working on young horses and developing them got an opportunity to showcase themselves in such a great competition. Finally, we had the FEI World Ranking Fest that allowed us to compete in such a high-class international level.”
She said that in a Cup in which international riders were involved, Emirati and Arab riders did manage to get considerable attention and make their presence felt.
On her competitors this time around, she said: “We have Irish rider Marion Hughes. She competed in the Olympics even before I was born. So she has a lot of experience.” However, she
I don’t think that we as Emirati riders have any disadvantage. We have beaten them on different occasions and it all comes down to who can do it on that day Maitha Mohammad Al Hajri
remains upbeat on her chances. “I don’t think that we as Emirati riders have any disadvantage. We have beaten them on different occasions and it all comes down to who can do it on that day,” she added.
Maitha will be riding Alaska and Babs Du Rouet in this competition, both of which are owned by Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
“I will be riding both Alaska, which is my main horse that I competed with in the ranking class last year and another mare Babs Du Rouet.”
Her main competitive horse will be Alaska. “I hope to win the competition with her,” Maitha added.