Abu Dhabi, UAE, 23 February 2020:   The UAE’s Minister of Tolerance, HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, attended the final day of the 7th Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy’s (FBMA) International Show Jumping Cup, where he crowned the grand prix winners of the International Ladies category (CSI2*), presented by Longines. 

HE crowned Sara Hussein Saleh Al Armouti from Jordan as the winner of the first place, Nadia Abdul Aziz Taryam from the UAE as the winner of the second place, and Anita Annika Sande from Norway as the winner of the third place.

In addition to HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the last day of the cup was attended by key figures, including: Jabr Al Suwaidi, General Manager of Crown Prince Court in Abu Dhabi; Major General Dr. Ahmed Naser Al Raisi, President of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation; Sheikha Shamsa bint Hasher Al Maktoum, member of the Board of UAE Volleyball Association; HE Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council; HE Naema Al Mansouri, Board member of FBMA; HE Amal Abdul Qadir Al-Afifi, Board member of FBMA; Amal Hassan Bu Shalakh, UAE Football Federation board member; Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Director General of the Sharjah Women Sports Foundation; Sultan Mohammed Al Dhaheri, General Manager of Etisalat in Abu Dhabi; Ms Souad Al Suwaidi, Head of Research at Ministry of State; and Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR).

HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of FBMA, and President of the Abu Dhabi and the Al Ain Ladies Club, said:“I would like to thank Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the UAE, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood for her unlimited support to Emirati women, which has resulted in many successes for Emirati women in sports.” 

'The 7th edition of the cup witnessed a great success in terms of participation and attendance, which supports FBMA’s mission of reinforcing the position of Abu Dhabi as a destination for international sports events and empowering Emirati women in sports,' HH added.

Sheikha Shamsa bint Hasher Al Maktoum said: “I am very pleased to be present today at the 7th FBMA International Show Jumping Cup and I am very proud to see the talented Emirati female riders. I wish them all the best in their sports career, as they pave the way for becoming professional athletes in equestrian sports.'

Taking place at Al Forsan International Sports Resort, the final day of the cup featured six categories that target different groups of riders, including an additional category, which encourages novice talents to get involved in equestrian sports. 

The third day of the cup kicked off at 9:30am with CSI young horses category (CSIYH1), presented by Al Shiraa Stables. In the first category, Tina Lund from Denmark won the first place, Sara Hussein Saleh Al Armouti from Jordan won the second place, and Abdul Rahman Al Abdouli from the UAE won the third place.

The second category, CSI Youth category (CSIY-A), presented by Etisalat, targeted young adults, who were competing with great enthusiasm, showcasing their equestrian skills to win the trophy. By the end of the second competition, Abdullah Alghamdi from KSA won the first place, Ayman Nasser Al Onays from Palestine won the second place, and Jack Ryan from Ireland won the third place. 

Moreover, FBMA presented a category that targets novice talents, which attracted 10 riders. Through this initiative, FBMA aims to inspire emerging talents to get involved in equestrian activities and be prepared to compete in highly-skilled categories in the future. 

The other two competitions included a category for female nationals, presented by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, where Aisha Mohamed Al Maazmi won the first place; and a category for female riders, CSIL2, presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, where Canadian national Georgia Tame won the first-place. 

FBMA International Show Jumping Cup aims to inspire women, youth, Emirati nationals, and the whole UAE community to get involved in sports activities and cups, and take part in leading an active and healthy lifestyle. 

Commenting on her win of the Grand prix, Sara Hussein Saleh Al Armouti from Jordan said: I am delighted to win the 2 star grand prix with the assistance of my horse Tokyo and I am honoured to have participated in the 7th FBMA International Show Jumping Cup.”
 
Commenting on his win, Abdullah Alghamdi from KSA, the winner of the first place of CSIY-A category, said: “I am glad to have won the first place at CSIY-A category, especially that this is my first participation at FBMA International Show Jumping Cup. The level of the competition was high given that the cup includes top talents from all over the world, but after long hours of training and commitment, I am glad to have won the first place.”

Members from the UAE community had a chance to enjoy 3 days full of a range of equestrian competitions, along with fantastic offerings from the Equestrian Village, including fun activities, food trucks serving food that satisfy all cravings, as well as lively music. The cup showcased highly-skilled national talents, which instils pride in every member of the UAE community.   

The cup is held under the patronage of HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the UAE, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and under the guidance of HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the FBMA and President of the Abu Dhabi and the Al Ain Ladies Clubs.  

The 7th FBMA International Show Jumping Cup is sponsored by Longines, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Al Shiraa Stables, Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Abu Dhabi Media, Yas TV, ZAK, International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), UAE Equestrian Racing Federation, Etisalat.