ABU DHABI / WAM
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society, and the follow-up of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the EAHS, the Emirates Arabian Horse Global Cup has been launched with a number of championships spanning throughout various continents across the globe.
The Emirates Global Cup consists of a series of unique championships with aims of encouraging breeders and owners of beautiful Arabian horses around the world and highlighting the role and deep-rooted interest of the UAE in these noble creatures, while maintaining the nations distinguished position among organisations, breeders, and owners of Arabian horses worldwide.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, on the sidelines of the 2023 Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. Mohamed Al Harbi, Director-General of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society, added, “This series of championships will be held in cooperation with associations and entities in host countries, noting that participation is open to all Arabian horses registered in the “WAHO” stud registry in their respective countries.”
During his speech, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad extended his gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his pioneering role in supporting the development of Arabian horses throughout the world, and his continued interest in encouraging breeders and owners to acquire Arabian horses, as well as improving the efficiency of services provided to them in all fields to preserve these breeds and enhance their status, in line with the path of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
“The Emirates Global Cup has been launched in line with the efforts and with the support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and his great interest in developing various Arabian horse activities and supporting Arabian horse breeders and owners in all countries of the world”, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad said while speaking on the UAE’s keenness to preserve Arabian horses as an integral part of the Emirati heritage and national identity, adding that they must be preserved and strengthened continuously from one generation to the other.
“The Emirates Global Cup Series for Arabian horses aims to consolidate the UAE’s position by highlighting the authentic Arab heritage of the UAE and spreading its noble values and principles, with the support of the wise leadership that pays great attention to equestrianism and Arabian horses utilising them as a bridge of communication between people, and a supporting platform for owners and breeders to encourage them to breed and acquire Arabian horses and preserve this breed,” Al Harbi added.
The inaugural edition of the tournament will include 10 rounds according to the official programme, with the first round being held a European country this coming September and valuable financial prizes will be allocated to the first-place winners in each round.