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Eventing
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Eventing is in its infancy in the UAE but a successful first
competition was held in Dubai in January 2005 at the Desert Palm Polo
Club.
Competitors tackled a course masterminded by Australian Fin
Powrie, Director of Racing at Emirates Racing Association, formerly an
enthusiastic cross-country rider himself.
Spinneys Supermarkets was the key supporter along with 12
other corporate and private sponsors. The UAE Equestrian & Racing
Federation was also a major supported and was instrumental in
facilitating the event while British Eventing supplied valuable
technical support and much of the documentation required to run this
landmark first competition in the UAE.
"The day worked very well," explained Fin Powrie who, as well
as cross-country fence builder was very much involved with other
organizers from the initial stages through to completion. "The idea was
conceived during the summer of 2004. Desert Palm Polo was one of the
best facilities for it because it has polo pitches which are grassed
and the whole facility covers about 42 acres.
"The majority of fences were portable ones so that we could
move them around to create different configurations and also use them
at other facilities in the future. We made them variable so as to be
able to alter their height - we started the first event at 75cm. The
three phases of eventing are dressage, stadium jumping and
cross-country and, while we applied the proper rules, we were fairly
liberal with our time limits. There were 30 adults and 15 juniors who
participated. We were very happy with the involvement of local riders
and also the quality. There were also plenty of spectators."
Neil Abrahams, an official of the UAE Equestrian & Racing
Federation was also involved in the organization and set up of the
event and was equally satisfied with the outcome.
"We made a good start at the introduction of eventing," he
said later. "There are now plans to put on (educational) courses for
judges and stewards and stage another one-day competition. Four other
(riding) clubs from across the UAE are interested in hosting eventing
in autumn 2005 and UAE may send riders to the Asian Games due to take
place in Qatar, 2006.
"The UAE Equestrian & Racing Federation supports eventing and is keen to see the sport expand and grow," he concluded.
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DP XC course at DEWA rolls
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Ke Stack
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