H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival

Official Website / CALENDAR 2012 / Photos by Morhaf

Stage set for Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak EARS Conference

Abu Dhabi: After successfully staging the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference, as part of the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, preparations are well in place to host the first edition of the HH Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak EARS (European Association Racing Schools) Conference on Education and Training on November 2013, it was announced at a special news conference here on Thursday (August 6). The press conference was held on the sidelines of the current Abu Dhabi Equestrian and Hunting Exhibition.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai visited the stand of the HH Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship and the Majlis of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs during his visit to the exhibition on Thursday morning.

Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region has also made a similar visit to the Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak stand and launched the new website of the Mother of the Emirates apprentice race.

Speaking to newsmen, Lara Sawaya, director of the Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Racing Festival and Head of IFAHR ladies racing, said: “Arrangements are well in place for the launching of the conference during the final leg of the HH Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) in Abu Dhabi in November 2012.

“The other good news is that, a new competition has been added to the Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup and HH Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship (IFAHR) races.

“Apprentice riders from six training schools in North England, Newmarket, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland plus Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong will vie for honours on the back of the Arabian horses in Abu Dhabi every year. The race which carries the name of the HH Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak EARS Apprentice Jockeys Race will be held two days before the HH Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak EARS Conference on Education and Training in Abu Dhabi starting from November 2013,” she added.

"This important conference will be held under the directives of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and it’s open for both sexes," she said.

Susanna Santesson is the president of the EARS and the organization was formed in 2000."It was initiated by EARS, with the leading racing schools from France, England, Ireland, Italy and Germany in order to have a higher level of education and training in the racing industry,” she said.

The same opinion was echoed by other speakers who praised the courageous move which will give the ladies and Arabian races a very big boost.

“Abu Dhabi has become now the capital of women racing of the world,” said Sami Jassim Al Boenain.

Stephen Bowey, Executive Director (corporate development) Invest AD, said they are honoured to be part of this fast growing festival which is becoming bigger and bigger over time.

The Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organised to promote purebred Arabians in different parts of the world withthe sponsors being by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR and Emirates Arabian Horse Society, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as theofficial carrier and sponsored by Invest AD, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Mauzan, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, the UAE's General Women's Union, the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2012, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Saada Saab Antipas
Press Coordinator