Countess of Wessex has praised the activities of the H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival at the Women of the Future Summit, a forum dedicated to discussing the world of millennial leaders which was held at the Park lane Hilton Hotel, London, on Wednesday evening.

Sulaiman Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to the UK, together with Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies, IFHRA, and Chairperson of the Ladies and Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities, IFAHR, attended a private meeting with the Women of the Future Programme’s Royal Ambassador, Sophie, The Countess of Wessex.

At the highly-prestigious engagement held only for sponsors and associates of the awards, H.R.H. The Countess of Wessex together with Women of the Future Programme Founder, Pinky Lilani CBE DL, congratulated Ambassador Al Mazroui and Ms. Sawaya on the ever-evolving activities of the festival and the continued efforts of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, to sustain and develop the universal growth of Arabian racing. Women of the Future Awards host and British television newsreader, Julie Etchingham, was also in attendance to learn more about the Sheikh Mansour Festival’s sponsorship of the Women of the Future Sport Award.

During the extensive discussions, the Countess of Wessex received insight into the global profile of the festival and the training, mentorship and professional guidance offered by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the UAE, Chairperson of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, to female jockeys under the umbrella of the Ladies World Championship series.

The Countess was presented with an award and commemorative book by Sulaiman Al Mazroui and Ms. Lara Sawaya on behalf of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed to pay thanks to her and celebrate the festival’s inaugural sponsorship of the awards. Ms. Sawaya, Executive Director, commented, "This is an extremely proud moment for the H.H. Sheikh Mansour Festival and the Ambassador and we are honoured to meet with H.R.H. The Countess of Wessex. It has been a privilege to discuss the work of our patron H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Her Royal Highness and provide further insight into the H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship", she said.

"Supporting young female talent in sport, especially Arabian racing, is extremely important to H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed and H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, and we look forward to presenting the Women of the Future Sport Award. We wish jockey Alice Mills and the remaining finalists the very best of luck."

The H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing as associate sponsors, IPIC as Strategic Partner, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates Airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, and the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare, and is sponsored by Al Aweer Stables, Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travel, Dr. Nader Saab Switzerland, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, The Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, and Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.