Horsesdaily News: The Inaugural Al Marktoum Memorial Challenge Begins

Tuesday, Janaury 10, 2006

Let the Show Begin - The Inaugural Al Marktoum Memorial Challenge Begins

Arial View of the Dubai Show Grounds The inaugural Al Maktoum Memorial Challenge, Dubai being held 11th-13th January, is offering a staggering prize fund of $1,250,000 (US) and the top international show jumpers in the world are all competing including the top 10 in the world and, in all, 19 of the top 20 on the World Rankings.

The Al Maktoum Memorial Challenge, the brainchild of international show jumper HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is designed to have wide spectator appeal.

Families, visitors, and equestrian enthusiasts will enjoy terrific hospitality and a wonderful day out, while corporate sponsors will benefit from a high profile, quality-driven sporting event that brings the worlds best competitors to Dubai.

“This is one of the most exciting shows ever staged in the world, perhaps the most exciting in the history of the sport. The quality of riders is on a par with the Olympics and we are therefore assured of some of the finest show jumping competitions that the world has ever seen.

As a result, Dubai has become a focal point for the sport of show jumping on a global level.” said Simon Brooks-Ward, Managing Director of HorsePower International, and Event Director of the Al Maktoum Challenge.

The event will culminate in the Maktoum Grand Prix, which has a prize purse of $760,000. The Al Maktoum Memorial Challenge sits alongside other prestigious show jumping events in Calgary, and Kuala Lumpur that have in excess of US$1 million dollars prize money.

The Al Maktoum Memorial Challenge also features fun-filled displays such as medieval jousting and traditional Mongolian riding, and demonstrations from the worlds best known dressage, vaulting, carriage driving, eventing, show jumping and reining masters, all of whom are demonstrating their skills around the showground during the course of the show.

“Horse Shows are all about entertainment. The Al Maktoum Memorial Challenge is offering fun, drama and thrill for everyone,” concluded Brooks-Ward. The three day show is being held at the Emirates Riding Centre, located next to Nad Al Sheba racetrack. The show is being organised by HorsePower International the company behind some of the best shows in the world including Olympia, London’s International Horse Show and other top competitions.

The Al Maktoum Memorial Challenge is being sponsored by Longines, Gulf News, and Land Rover.