Al Maktoum Challenge 2006
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Report on the Al Maktoum Challenge 2006 – Sovereign Quarter Horses Demonstration Breaking new ground for Reining

Demo in Dubai
David and I were really honoured to represent British Reining as one of the seven FEI Equestrian Disciplines demonstrated at the Dubai International Horse Show, featuring the Al Maktoum Memorial Show jumping Challenge and organised for the first time in 2006 with prize money totalling US Dollars 1.25 million.

The President of the show is Her Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.  She, herself, is an Olympic show jumper, having represented Jordan at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, but she was already well-versed with reining, having ridden a reining horse in Geneva. It has been a personal dream of HH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein to see such a high level international show in Dubai, which will reinforce Dubai’s position as a leader in equestrian sports.  It would also show the people of Dubai as well as the international community the beauty of the sport at its highest level, as well as to give members of the Arab League a chance to compete on a world-class stage.

It was confirmed on 16th December 2005 that we would be going to Dubai with our American Quarter Horse Stallion Jay’s Smokin’ Story (a.k.a. Jay).  Preparation was a bit frantic to say the least, especially with Christmas and moving house, both of which we had to put on hold.  I was concerned about Jay’s long winter coat, so the decision was made to clip him.

We were familiar with the health papers needed to travel a horse to Europe, but going to the Middle East was a bit different. Jay had to have a Coggins test (equine infectious anaemia) and a two-stage vetting.  All had to be completed and official documents in order ready to fly out of Stansted on 7 January.  The transport was supplied by Janah Transport, which normally transports horses for Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, but together with 40 other horses for this event, we were the only horses ever to travel in this marvellous Boeing 747 that were not owned by Sheikh Mohammed or his family.  If there is such a thing as travelling first class for horses this was certainly it. 


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Last Updated ( Friday, 28 September 2007 )
 
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