More members join IFHRA. Mentorship programme expands

General Assembly held in Abu Dhabi

Two new countries, Algeria and Spain, joined the ever-growing International Federation of Horse Racing Academies, IFHRA, taking the total number of members to 54.

This was disclosed at the first 2017 General Assembly held in Abu Dhabi, on Friday, February 10, 2017, at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

The meeting was held on sidelines of the His Highness The President of the UAE Endurance Cup and His Highness The President of the UAE Flat races, scheduled to be held in the capital city of Abu Dhabi on February 11 and 12, 2017, respectively.

The main purpose of the meeting was to approve the 2017 Mentorship candidate jockeys and a list of 17 candidates was found to be eligible for the RSF Mentorship. Representatives from different member-countries had sent in their applications for consideration for the Mentorship Programme which kick started in 2016 and was a huge success with 13 candidates going to different countries, other than their country of origin, and experiencing and getting trained in different equine skills from riding to managing a stable.

The IFHRA Mentorship programme comes under the umbrella of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Racing Festival and the Fund will help provide professional mentorship opportunities abroad for students who are currently enrolled in or who have recently graduated from an IFHRA member Racing Academy or national representative. The goal is to improve the horse racing and breeding industry workforce by providing deserving racing academy students or recent graduates with the opportunity to gain new knowledge and experience in equitation and overall horsemanship, while learning about new culture and customs.

Opening the meeting Ms. Lara Sawaya, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), stated that IFHRA, the only one of its kind Federation in the world, has grown in its stature in a very short span time of two years and this is a big boost for all those involved in the horse industry, especially the jockeys, for whose welfare the Federation has been founded and is striving for. Ms Lara Sawaya categorically stated that the Fund will promote only students from IFHRA member-countries. Wh

ile discussing the GA, Ms Sawaya stated that it will henceforth be held in conjunction with the HH The President Cup for endurance and flat racing in Abu Dhabi, which is the headquarters of IFHRA.

The meeting was deliberated by Remi Bellocq, IFHRA General Secretary.

Ms Sawaya welcomed the two members, Algeria and Spain, which were represented by Ahmed Rayane, Executive Director, Societe des Courses d’Algerie and Ms Barbara de Mieulle, Spanish Jockey Club, respectively.

The other member countries who attended the meeting on Friday included Australia, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Malaysia, The Nethernalnds, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America and Uruguay. Many other members took part in the discussions via Skype.

Ms Sawaya added that IFHRA will support more apprentice jockeys by aiming to get more member countries as it was the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, to support jockeys from all over the globe and to utilize the RSF in the right direction.

While discussing the RSF programme, Ms Sawaya also added that an orientation programme will henceforth be held for all the candidates to enlighten them about the HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival and the role of IFHRA. “In this direction we are also considering signing a contract with the selected candidates so that they will adhere by the RSF and IFHRA guidelines.”
Countries whose candidates have been found to be eligible included Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America, South Korea, Denmark, Australia, Puerto Rico, Ireland, Canada and Poland. The representatives from these countries who attended the meeting were given an opportunity to explain the worthiness of the respective candidates for the Mentorship Programme.

Representatives from both the new members, Algeria and Spain, said they were delighted to be part of the programme and Algerian representative Ahmed Rayane said they were looking forward to host four festival rides this year.

After the discussion on the RSF programme the meeting also discussed mentorship funding/reimbursement plan, job exchange programme. The meeting also deliberated on the development and progress of social media platforms and the website.
It was decided that the next IFHRA meeting will be held during the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference, scheduled to be held from May 2 to 8, 2017,  in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, IPIC as Strategic Partner, The  National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare  and sponsored by Al Aweer Stables, Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club,  Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf,  Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival / Bharathi Gowda and Satya Narayan
Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf