Top riders for Dh2m Dubai showjumping event
Three-day event awarded highest level of international rating
The internationally acclaimed Dubai Show Jumping Championship (DSJC), which boasts an increased prize fund of Dh2 million, will be held from January 18-20 at the Dubai Equestrian Club (DEC).
The Emirates Equestrian Centre (EEC) announced that the Championship is now classed as a CSI5* W (World Cup Qualifier) event, the highest level of international showjumping worldwide.
The Five Start status means that best and top-ranked riders will compete at the event which will also include CSI2* classes.
Dubai’s top showjumpers Abdullah Mohammad Al Marri and Arif Ahmad Jassim Ahli will be seen in action, aiming to qualify for the Dubai Grand Prix; Ahmad Nabil Falaknaz will be gearing up for the CSI2* classes.
The three-day festival is highlighted by the Dh406,866 Longines — FEI World Cup Qualifier, which is a qualifier for the Dubai Grand Prix, the Dh110,439 Gulf News Cup and the newly added Dh406,866 Azizi Golden Cup, one of four add-ons to the programme, taking the total number of classes up to 11 from seven last year. This includes six CSI5* classes, and five CSI2* classes, the opening five star event in the competition is the Meydan Welcome Stakes on Thursday.
The addition to the last day of competition is the Dubai Equestrian Club Grand Prix, worth Dh132,188. All these classes lead up to the finale — the Dh635,266 Emirates Airline Dubai Grand Prix. Challengers, who are successful at the Grand Prix, stand to earn valuable points towards qualifying for the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping and the
FEI World Equestrian Games. Azizi Developments joins longtime EEC partners and fellow Meydan Pillar Partners Emirates airline, Longines and Gulf News in supporting this prominent international competition. Long-standing relationship
Shaikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior VicePresident, Commercial Operations Centre said: “Emirates has a long-standing relationship with equestrian sports and the Dubai Show Jumping Championship demonstrates our commitment to supporting this graceful display of equestrian showmanship.”
Walter von Känel, President of Longines, commented: “We are very proud to be the official partner and official timekeeper of the 2018 Dubai Show Jumping Championship, a Longines FEI World Cup Show Jumping qualifier.
Rajeev Khanna, Commercial Director, Gulf News added: “We have been associated with the Dubai Show Jumping Championship since its inception and are truly delighted that it is now acclaimed as a CS15*W event. We take pride in our support of this internationally acclaimed event, which provides three days of exceptional equine displays from the topmost local and international competitors“.
Mirwais Azizi, Chairman, Azizi Group said: “We are proud to support the Dubai Show Jumping Championship as part of our ongoing partnership with Meydan.”
Dubai Equestrian Club General Manager Mohammad Eisa Al Adhab said: “We are very proud to be hosting the CSI5*W Dubai Show Jumping Championship. We are especially thankful to our sponsors for their continued support.”
Held over three days, the event offers fun-filled days for the family with events for children.
We are very proud to be hosting the CSI5*W Dubai Show Jumping Championship. We are especially thankful to our sponsors for their continued support.” Mohammad Eisa Al Adhab » DEC General Manager