Big purse up for grabs at Dubai show jumping event

The prestigious CSI 3-star Dubai Show Jumping Championship — boasting a prize fund of more than Dh600,000 — begins at the Emirates Equestrian Centre today. The three-day festival will see some of the top riders from the Middle East and Europe battling it out for the top prizes, as well as points towards a place in the FEI World Cup qualifier. The highest-stakes competition at the championship will be Saturday's Dubai Equestrian Club Grand Prix FEI World Cup event that offers total prize money of Dh170,000. The Class 3 Gulf News Dubai Cup Qualifier tomorrow has a prize purse of Dh120,000. There are also Dh5,000 prizes for the leading international rider and the leading UAE rider. As well as the hosts, the countries invited to take part are: Bahrain, Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia. Entry to the event at Dubai International Endurance City — near Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa — is free, with the gates opening at 11.30am today and Saturday and at 1pm tomorrow. Competitions run from 12.30pm to 7pm today and Saturday and 2pm to 7pm tomorrow. Spectators can also enjoy the recently-opened Arena Restauarant, which is located close to the main arena and offers packages from Dh250. For more information log on to www.emiratesequestriancentre.com or email info@emiratesequestriancentre.com or call 050 5537986 or 050 5587656. Programme Day 1: 12.30pm - Class 1 (total prize money Dh40,000) Longines Welcome Stakes 3.30pm - Class 2 (Dh80,000) Emirates Airline Two Phases 6.15pm - National Class 1 (Dh12,000) National Juniors & Young Riders Followed by - National Class 2 (Dh14,000) National Welcome Stakes Day 2: 2.30pm - Class 3 (Dh120,000) Gulf News Dubai Cup Qualifier for Dubai Equestrian Club Grand Prix FEI World Cup 5pm - Class 4 (50,000) AMS Speed Stakes Followed by - National Class 3 (Dh14,000) National Juniors & Young Riders Grand Prix Followed by - National Class 4 (Dh20,000) Longines National Grand Prix Day 3: 12pm - Class 5 (Dh80,000) Longines Accumulator 3pm - Class 6 (Dh170,000) Dubai Equestrian Club Grand Prix FEI World Cup 6.15pm - Class 7 (Dh20,000) Emirates Airline Trophy