World's best gather for Cup qualifier

• Shaikha Latifa Al Maktoum of United Arab Emirates rides her horse Kalaska De Semily at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, November 24.

Dubai: The Dubai Show Jumping Championship 2011 once again brings together top international show jumpers from the Arab League and Europe to compete in this prestigious event, starting from Thursday at Dubai International Endurance City.
Competitors will vie for prize money totalling Dh600,000 over the three-day showpiece, which culminates with the Dubai Equestrian Club Grand Prix, a qualifier for the FEI World Cup.
Dubai is the first of the four qualifiers for this season, which are all to be held in the United Arab Emirates.
Competition courses are designed by Bob Ellis (GBR), who has also been appointed to be the builder and designer of the Jumping course for the 2012 London Olympics.
There will be strong representation from the UAE team, fresh from their success at the Saudi Arabia International Show Jumping Championship 2010.
Team members include Shaikha Latifa Al Maktoum, 2010 Asian Games individual silver winner, and Mohammad Al Owais, winner of the CSI4 Grand Prix and World Cup Qualifier in Doha at the Qatar International Show Jumping Championship 2010, the rider currently in the highest place from the UAE on the FEI Arab League World Cup Ranking list.
Other members include Shaikh Majid Bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Shaikh Rashid Bin Ahmad Al Maktoum and Ahmad Al Junaibi.
Reigning champions
Reigning champions from the 2010 Asian Games and one of the top 10 teams at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, Saudi Arabia will be represented by Khalid Abdul Aziz Al Eid, Abdullah W Al Sharbatli, Individual Silver winner at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 and former Olympian Prince Abdullah Moteb Al Saud.
Irish rider Cian O'Connor, with his exceptional track record in the sport and recent win at the Christmas 2010 Olympia, will also be competing at the Championship. Marion Hughes, also from Ireland, has been entered by Zabeel Riding Barn.
Mohammad Essa Al Adhab, Deputy General Manager, Dubai Equestrian Club, said: "We look forward to the excellent showmanship and excitement expected at the Dubai Show Jumping Championship 2011.
There will undoubtedly be fierce competition amongst some of the best riders, with participation from not only the region's finest, but I would also say, the world's finest in the sport."
The Dubai Show Jumping Championship 2011 is organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club, sponsored by Gold Sponsors Gulf News and Longines, and Silver Sponsors Al Mubdee Scaffold Solutions (AMS), The Meydan Hotel and Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa.
Duleep George, Executive Director Marketing and Sales, Gulf News said, "Gulf News has been involved with the Dubai Show Jumping Championship since its inception and we are honoured to be associated with the event once again.
"We are looking forward to witnessing some spectacular show jumping during the three days of the Championship."
Entertainment
The Dubai Show Jumping Championship 2011 will also feature a wide variety of family entertainment and activities, including food and beverage stands, pony rides, activities for children, and chances to win an array of attractive prizes from Knights and Walker, Dreamland Aqua Park, Madinat Jumeirah Resort, Crystal Gallery, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa, The Meydan Hotel, Al Fardan, Emirates Equestrian Centre, Jebel Ali International Hotels, Bateaux Dubai and Towers Rotana.
Admission to the Dubai Show Jumping Championship 2011 is free.
Gates will be open from 11.30am on Thursday, January 6, from 1pm on Friday, January 7, and from 11am on Saturday, January 8.