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With Asian Games in mind
Federation appoints new Course designer -16
Nov 2006
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| The UAE Equestrian and Racing
Federation has appointed Stefan Wirth as the new course
for Show Jumping events in the country in preparation
for the forthcoming Asian Games in Doha. |
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Wirth who has over 16 years experience
as a course designer hails from Frankfurt, Germany.
Wirth started his career in 1990 as
a national course designer and has not looked back ever
since. He has handled some prestigious events including
the recently concluded World Equestrian Games in Aachen,
Germany, where we worked as an Assistant Course designer.
He is also a board member of the CSI Wiesbaden, second
biggest show jumping event in Germany, where the UAE
jumpers are keen participants every year.
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Having recently finished designing
the course for an international show jumping championship
in Moscow, Wirth constantly conducts training sessions
in Baltic States on a regular basis. Though this is
his first assignment in the region, Wirth has already
enjoyed a brief stint in designing courses in Saudi
Arabia.
"I have seen the performances of
UAE riders on several occasions. I have also heard
a lot about the riders and the shows in the UAE. I
decided to take up this assignment in the UAE to gain
a first hand impression about them." Wirth feels he
is here at the right time as the UAE riders are preparing
for the Doha Asian Games in December.
Wirth feels that the UAE riders have
vast capacity and ability to compete in international
competitions. "I saw the show jumpers perform in Aachen.
I found it very interesting that in such a short span
of time (in the UAE), the riders have reached the
international level. I realize that this is because
the riders try to get the best horses and avail themselves
of the best training facility and this is the secret
of their success."
Keeping the Asian Games in mind,
Wirth wants to raise the difficulties of the course
almost to match the standards prevailing in Europe.
He admits, however, that his main target is to offer
''fair courses to the horses and I would like to avoid
any difficulties for the horses in the course which
are against the interests of the horses."
Though specialized in Business Administration
and works in a company that sells machine parts for
chemical factories, Wirth admits his passion for show
jumping. He also hails from a family of equestrian
aficionados including his wife who is a five-time
dressage champion from Luxembourg. He says other family
members are engaged in either judging show jumping
or dressage events or breeding horses.
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| Two UAE riders
to Attend Aachen course -16
Nov 2006 |
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The UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation
is deputing two UAE show jumpers/ course designers to
participate in the 2nd Intensive Course of Instruction
on Course Design, which is being held in Aachen, Germany
from November 17 to 24, 2006. It is being organized
by Aachen School of Course Design, under the patronage
of the Federation Equestre Internationale, FEI, the
governing body for all equestrian activities in the
world.
The candidates are Khalid Ali Al Junaibi
and Yousif Abdullah Al Mahmoudi. Both of them, who are
currently working as course designers and show jumpers
in the UAE, will get an extended training in the field
in Aachen.
The course is directed by equestrian
experts Arno Gego and Olaf Petersen, organized by Christian
Helbach and supported by contributions of more than
10 international experts (course designers, judges,
organizers etc) including demonstrations by international
top riders.
The course is being attended by more
than 30 participants from 25 countries and will take
place at the CHIO Aachen.
With regard to different levels of
experience of the participants, the Course is partly
divided in two parallel sections. The Course is approved
by FEI for promotion to the status of International
Candidate and/or international Course Designer and is
also being counted as a Refreshment Course.
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| Sultan honours Distinguished personalities
-20
Nov 2006 |
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The Chairman of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation
His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan
honoured several distinguished equestrian personalities
at a simple ceremony at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing
Club premises in November. The riders/jumpers were felicitated
for their outstanding achievements in the field of endurance
and show jumping.
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Those honoured included UAE show jumper
Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Qassimi who won the Style
Award from the FEI for the "Best Child Rider,''
during the Children's International Show Jumping
competitions that were held from October 23-29,
2006, in Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
He was the only UAE show jumper to qualify for the
FEI Category A event. Sheikh Ali finished in the
ninth place.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Faisal Qasimmi and Lalyla
Abdul Aziz Al Redha were honoured for finishing
third and fourth respectively in the CH-M-E (Open),
four-star European Open Championship for Junior
and Young Endurance riders held in Czech Republic
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. Mohammed Al Kumaiti was honoured
for qualifying to take part in the World Equestrian
Games Show Jumping Championships in Aachen, Germany.
The felicitation ceremony was
held in the presence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Majid
Al Qassimi, Vice President of UAE Equestrian Federation
and Chairman of the Sharjah Equestrian Club. Also
present on the occasion was Hussein Mohammed Hussein,
secretary General, UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation.
While presenting the mementoes,
Dr Sheikh Sultan said that "we are immensely proud
of the achievements made by our equestrian enthusiasts
not only inside the country but outside as well."
He said honouring the sports people off and on
encourages them to perform better and achieve
better results.
Sheikh Sultan assured that monetary
support will continue to flow for the riders who
are interested in getting better training facilities.
He said six new horses will be bought to encourage
the riders to participate outside the country.
He said he always likes to support good rider
and what has been achievement in the past was
mainly because of the immense commitment and dedication
showed by the riders themselves.
Before the ceremony Dr. Sheikh
Sultan toured the Sharjah Equestrian Club facilities
including the veterinary hospital and the indoor,
air-conditioned show jumping arena, which is the
best in the Middle East.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Majid presented
a souvenir to Dr. Sheikh Sultan on behalf of the
Sharjah Club and thanked him for the indoor stadium
at the club.
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