FBMA International Showjumping competition a great platform for Emirati riders, says Amal Al Muhairi

Amal Al Muhairi says the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA) International Showjumping competition can be a platform for Emirati female riders to gain valuable experience. The three-day event from March 1-3 takes place at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort and has drawn 190 riders. It has a total prize fund of Dh665,000 and concludes with the FBMA 2-Star Grand Prix. “Being a competition exclusively for females on our home turf provides more opportunities for the Emirati riders,” Al Muhairi said at the launch ceremony on Tuesday. “I had some success in a competition in Sharjah two weeks ago and looking forward to replicate that performance. “Like me, I think there are several other talented Emirati riders entered for this competition. We are hopeful of some good results in the main competitions that include riders from other countries.” ________________ Read more: ________________ Al Muhairi, who rides Tom Boy, is a final year business degree student at the American University of Sharjah. “I have been taking part in competitions for the last six years and obviously the long-term goal is to represent the country at international competitions and the Asian Games,” she said. Dr Mai Al Jaber, board member of the FBMA, said the three-day event has grown from humble beginnings in 2013 when just seven nations and 18 riders competed to become one of the most high-profile competitions on the showjumping calendar. “We have had success in this event every passing year,” she said. “Last year we hosted 120 riders from 20 countries and this time we have 190 from 18 nations. “We are particularly pleased that this year’s participation reflects our continuous efforts of engaging more Emirati women in sports.” While the main events will be exclusively for females, the junior categories will see both boys and girls competing.