The United Arab Emirates Racing and Equestrian Federation has been confirmed as the title sponsor for this year’s Windsor International Horse Trials, which takes place against the elegant backdrop of Windsor Great Park.
The UAE Racing and Equestrian Federation is the governing body for all equestrian disciplines in its home country. It was established in Abu Dhabi in 1992 to improve equestrian and racing sport at both local and international levels. It also intends to build a large base for equestrianism in the UAE and to keep pace with international developments in equestrian sport.
The federation, whose main international involvement thus far has been in racing, has only recently become involved in eventing, and supports the Future Event Horse Programme in Ireland, as well as the Hambleden Horse Trials in Oxfordshire.
The federation’s secretary general, Mr Hussain Mohd. Hussain Al Hammadi says: “We are constantly working to expand the opportunities for our national riders worldwide. We have aspirations of our own in eventing and working with British Eventing will give us the chance to gain experience from a country that leads the world in the sport.”
This year will see Windsor Horse Trials return to the international stage with a new, more compact layout, improved going, and a new and dynamic competition format – the Windsor International Team Challenge. The three-day-event itself has already attracted huge interest, with some big-name competitors expected to take part.
New event director Mike Tucker is unwavering in his belief that UAE Racing and Equestrian Federation’s title sponsorship of the event will further add to the success of the horse trials this year.
He says: “This wonderful news is more support for what we hope is going to be a fantastic event. Riders are already showing how keen they are to be at Windsor and we have some exciting attractions in our two arenas.”
The Princess Royal, who has been president of the horse trials since its inception, also extends a warm welcome to the new partners: “Everyone involved with the Windsor Horse Trials are delighted to welcome the UAE Racing and Equestrian Federation. This gives us a tremendously strong platform to re-establish and develop the Windsor three-day event.”
For more information visit: www.windsorhorsetrials.com
