Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club's Salim Khamis Al Suwaidi and his horse "Espresso" won the 21st Emirates Show Jumping Championship which concluded on Saturday.

The Emirates Championship celebrates the country’s riders in all categories approved by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, UAEERF, who participated in the Emirates Longines Show Jumping League’s national and international competitions during the show jumping season. Children, Juniors, Young Riders, as well as Division 1 and 2 riders, rode in their respective classes with each category riding in three competitions - one on each day of the championship. The results were judged according to the special rules for the championship and the riders' results were carried over to the championship’s final day of competitions. The championship carried a total purse of AED400,000, which was distributed amongst the winners.

Major General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, President of UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation said, "We would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, for his extraordinary vision and the ability to see the world as a true equestrian where the past and future are linked by the common thread of heritage and values.

"Just as Sheikh Mohammed's inspirational new book mentions that his first horse taught him that achievements are never accomplished without work, we too, have seen this in our national riders who have put tremendous effort and dedication into what they do, every day. This is what spurs us all on to achieve more for the sport as we head towards the end of an incredible season which has seen more international show jumpers than ever before travelling to the UAE to compete in world-class competitions delivered by the Federation and venues across the UAE," Al Raisi explained.

"Fifty international riders, 180 riders from the Middle East including 100 from the UAE, show us this sport is growing year on year due to the facilities, events and quality of competition we now offer on UAE soil," he added.