Sharjah: The Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club (SERC), the UAE’s oldest equestrian club, will make history when it hosts the €4.1 million HH Ruler of Sharjah Cup Show Jumping Championship, sponsored by Longines, this week.
The competition, which is the highest category in the world of showjumping, offers the chance for riders to qualify for the Longines FEI World Cup in Paris this April en route to a possible entry to the Olympic Games.
With much at stake, some of the leading showjumpers from around the world, including the highest ranked from the UAE and Arab region, will be seen in competition at the SERC’s Indoor Arena from Wednesday (January 31) to Saturday (February 3).
Competitions on an chock-a-block calendar will include a Qualifier for the FEI World Cup Grand Prix, a Speed Class, Two Phases, Puissance and euro 1.45 million HH Ruler of Sharjah Cup on the final day.
Over 100 international rides from Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Britain, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Libia, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Portugal, Russia, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine and the USA will join the large number of the UAE’s leading show jumpers at the event held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.
Event director Sultan Mohammad Khalifa Al Yahyae, General Manager of SERC said during a press conference at the SERC: “We are eagerly looking forward to hosting our first ever CSI 5 Star event, the HH Ruler of Sharjah Cup, in the coming weeks.
“It’s a great honour and privilege which acknowledges our presence as a major venue for equestrian sports in the world.
“What makes our event different from others, is that it’s held indoors which changes the conditions of the competitions. It becomes more technical for both rider and horse and offers a greater challenge,” he added.
Patrick Aoun, Regional Brand Manager, Longines Middle East, highlighted the Swiss watch maker’s partnership with HH Ruler of Sharjah Cup as the official sponsor. “We’re been doing it for so long that we believe, very deeply, that equestrian sport shares our core values. So when you identify your core values you know here to go,” he said.
