ABU DHABI 27 April 2017: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Grand Hall at Boudheib will host on Saturday the 2nd running of the Arabian Sport Horse Championship.
Sheikha Hissa bint Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan explains the significance of the Arabian horse to the UAE: “The Arabian horse is an intricate part of the UAE’s heritage and is historically imbued with positive characteristics of chivalry and courage. My great grandfather the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was inspired by his own forefathers’ love of Arabian horses, and he believed that they showed the essential goodness of nature and of man.”
Concerning the importance of the initiative for both people and the horses themselves: “It is all about opportunities: opportunities to bring people together as families to enjoy a celebration of the Arabian horse; of developing riders’ skills through training and competition; of giving the hundreds of Arabian horses in the UAE an alternative vocation after they’ve finished competing at racing or endurance.”
The event has garnered both sporting and cultural significance: “We are fortunate to have the support of the Emirates Heritage Club and the Emirates Equestrian Federation in making this year’s event thrive.”
The Arabian Sport Horse Championship was established in December 2015 by Sheikha Hissa bint Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It is an ambitious and bold initiative that combines 4 disciplines of Dressage, Show Jumping, Arena Eventing and Sprint, to seek out the Champion horse and rider combination.
The event is being staged at Boudheib’s Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Grand Hall, which is the largest indoor arena for horses in the world.
By Sports Staff