Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council – Ruler of Sharjah, and under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, deputy ruler of Sharjah, the H.H. Sharjah Ruler Cup International Show Jumping Championship (CSI5*W) begins today. The Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, in cooperation with the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation (UAEERF) and under the supervision of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), have organized the H.H. Sharjah Ruler Cup as a five-star ranked competition, the highest in international tournaments in the world of show jumping.
The H.H. Sharjah Ruler Cup International Show Jumping Championship (CSI5*W) is sponsored by Longines, the Official Time Keeper and presenting partner of the Emirates Longines Show Jumping league competitions; the Sharjah Sports Council; the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; Al Shira’aa Stables, Sharjah Islamic Bank; the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Al Sakab Stables; Sharjah Equine Hospital; Sharjah Sports Channel; Cavalor and Sharjah University City.
This is the second edition of the championship, with the first taking place in 2018, and it continues to be the first jumping event of its kind in the region and the Middle East in general, being held in the covered arena. The championship takes place over four days beginning from today and concluding on Saturday and is one of the qualifiers for the Show Jumping World Cup that will be held in Sweden in April. The three other qualifiers were organized in the UAE in the emirates of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Male and female riders from 42 countries will participate in the H.H. Sharjah Ruler Cup International Show Jumping Championship (CSI5*W) with an estimated 400 horses participating.
Riders will be competing for a purse worth 532,000 Euros – the equivalent of more than AED 2,300,000. The championship program consists of 28 rounds that will be held in both the covered arena and the outer field of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, including a seven round main event.
The championship also consists of a CSI2* classes, as well as a young horses’ category for horses between 6-7 years old (CSIYH1*); a children’s category for 10–14-year-olds (CSIOCH); a young riders’ category for 15–18-year-olds (CSIOY); and a junior riders’ category for 18–21-year-olds (CSIOJ).
