First of four qualifiers for FEI World Cup in Dubai

DUBAI // Top international show jumpers from across the Arab League and Europe will be taking part in the Dubai Show Jumping Championship which starts on Thursday at Dubai International Endurance City.

Riders will compete for prize money totalling Dh600,000 during the three-day event, which culminates in the Dubai Equestrian Club Grand Prix, a qualifier for the FEI World Cup.

Dubai is the first of the four qualifiers for this season, all of which are to be held in the UAE.

There will be strong representation from the UAE national team, fresh from their success at the Saudi Arabia International Show Jumping Championship 2010.

Team members include Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum, the 2010 Asian Games individual silver medal winner, and Mohammed Al Owais, winner of the CSI4* Grand Prix and World Cup Qualifier in Doha at the Qatar International Show Jumping Championship 2010. He is the highest placed UAE rider in the FEI Arab League World Cup Ranking.

Other members include Sheikh Majid bin Abdullah al Qassimi, Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed and Ahmed Al Juneibi.

Saudi Arabia, the 2010 Asian Games champions and one of the top 10 teams at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, will be represented by Khaled Abdulaziz Al Eid, Abdullah W Al Sharbatli, the individual silver medal winner at the 2010 World Equestrian Games 2010, and Prince Abdullah Moteb Al Saud, a former Olympian.

Cian O'Connor, an Irish rider with an exceptional track record, will also be competing, as will Marion Hughes, also from Ireland.

Mohammad Essa al Adhab, the deputy general manager of 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 among 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."

Paul McAuley, the manager of the Emirates Equestrian Centre said: "We are definitely excited about this year's Championship as, beyond being one of the biggest show jumping events on the equestrian calendar in the Middle East, it is also a truly enjoyable day for families."

The competition courses have been designed by Bob Ellis from the UK, who has also been appointed to be the builder and designer of the jumping course for the 2012 London Olympics.

Admission to the championship is free. Gates open at 11.30am on Thursday, 1pm on Friday and 11am on Saturday.