October will see the start of the official 2021/22 showjumping season here in the UAE, and there really is something for every level of competitor. This year there are over 60 international and national level events registered with the UAEERF, plus many additional leagues, training shows and competitions.
Over the past few years, the UAE has attracted some of the biggest global names in showjumping, with some events seeing over 100 international riders from 20-plus countries. Last year, the COVID pandemic affected events, however, with COVID prevention procedures now fully in place, the 2021/22 season promises an action packed series of events once again.
The Main Events
The action kicks-off on the 22nd December in Al Ain with a four-day event hosted by the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club. The show offers the season’s first CSI-2*, plus various CSIYH-1*, CSIY-A, CSIJ-A, CSICh-A classes. After a two-day hiatus, the same venue is back with the 3* FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier event.
January 2022 sees the action move to Abu Dhabi with four show-stopping and high-profile international events. From the 5th January 2022, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club hosts five-spectacular days of jumping with the highlight being the 4* FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier.
Between the 12th and 15th January 2022, the 9th edition of Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy’s (FBMA) International Show Jumping Cup will be held at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
From 18th to 22nd January 2022, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Centre will host the annual CSIO-5* event, highlights of which include the 160cm President of the UAE Showjumping Cup presented by Longines, plus the UAE leg of the Longines FEI Nations Cup also 160cm.
The four-day Al Shira’aa Horse Show kicks off on the 26th January 2022. The event offers FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier, plus all the big classes we have become accustomed to from this world-class show, including: The Theraplate Puissance, numerous Grand Prix classes, and the Al Shira’aa Derby.
February really is all about Sharjah. The action kicks-off at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club (SERC) with the 22nd Sharjah International Show Jumping Championships Sharjah FEI Jumping World Cup 5*. This is followed by the HH Sharjah Ruler’s Cup 2022, which includes the 150cm Longines Grand Prix qualifier, the Shurooq Cup Puissance and the 5* H.H. Ruler of Sharjah Cup presented by Longines FEI World Cup qualifier.
FEI World Jumping Challenge
On 28th and 29th October 2011, Emirates Equestrian Centre (EEC) will host the first FEI World Jumping Challenge Qualifier, of the season, with another on the 11th and 12th November 2021 at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club. The FEI World Jumping Challenge aims to give the less experienced Jumping riders the opportunity to compete internationally without having to leave their own country.
National Level, Training Shows and Local Leagues
National jumping will be held throughout the season at numerous venues across the UAE including, Emirates Equestrian Centre, Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, Boudheib Academy Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Emirates Equestrian Centre, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club and more.
Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club is hosting weekly Tuesday night showjumping training shows throughout the season along with a 2* Longines International Showjumping event on the 16th to 19th February 2022.
Al Habtoor Polo Club & Resort will be hosting regular show jumping events throughout the season as will Emirates Equestrian Centre, offering its own EEC jumping league events each Monday evening.
Wrapping up the Season
The Young Horse Finals will be held at Al Forsan International Sports Resort on the 5th of March 2022, the Emirates Championships will be held in Boutheib Academy on March 19th and the Longines Finals take place in Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club on 1st April 2022.
To find out more about UAE showjumping, events, news and rules visit the UAEERF here.
Equine Transport You Can Trust
Equitrans has almost 20-years experience transporting the world’s top performance horses and ensuring each horse travels safely and comfortably- consistently arriving performance ready. And, whether you’re planning international flights to the season’s biggest events or road transport from a UAE stables to a local show- Equitrans offers both competitive prices and a trusted service.
The Equitrans in-house office team are true horse-people with a wealth of experience in transporting horses, establishing quarantine protocols, coordinating large consignments and the transportation of vulnerable older and breeding horses.
The Equitrans trucks each offer full EU specifications with air-conditioning throughout and skilled and experienced drivers. In the air, our flying grooms are some of the most experienced in the business- many with over 20-plus years of equine flights.
If you would like to know more about the Equitrans services message us today at: info@equitranslogistics.com