Arabian Series concludes in Abu Dhabi
10-11-2017
Tonight sees the finals of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies and Apprentices World Championships in Abu Dhabi.
Many thanks to the Sheikh Mansoor Festival and of course to the driving force that is Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairman of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairman of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR) for the many opportunities given to our own lady amateurs as well as professional lady riders and British apprentice jockeys.
This year Jodie Hughes (Oman), Alice Mills (St Moritz (abandoned) & Stockholm), Emma Todd (Texas), Ellie MacKenzie (Bahrain & Chelmsford), Michelle Edden (Morocco), Emma Sayer (Rome), Poppy Bridgwater (California), Ostend (Rosie Jessop) and Poland (Joanna Mason) all enjoyed riding abroad and representing Great Britain. There were some incredibly close finishes but sadly no amateur victory, although we were hugely proud to have a UK win in Belgium (for the 3rd consecutive year with previous winners Page Fuller and Cath Walton) thanks to Rosie Jessop who rides in tonight’s finale. GOOD LUCK ROSIE!
The following apprentices also rode for the UK: Katherine Glenister (Oman & Copenhagen), Jane Elliott (Rome), Paddy Pilley(Chelmsford and New Jersey), Jonathan Fisher (Poland) and Paula Muir (France). Sadly again no UK victories but Newmarket (Stuart Williams) based Milly Naseb was victorious representing Jordan at Chelmsford which earned her a place in the line-up tonight in the apprentices’ finale. GOOD LUCK MILLY!
Other UK based apprentices represented their respective countries: Manuel Fernandes (Portugal), Jordan Uys (Zimbabwe), Sophie Ralston (Ireland) and Robbie Fitzpatrick (Ireland).
Wishing everyone a great evening’s racing in Abu Dhabi to conclude this year’s Arabian racing under the patronage of the Sheikh Mansoor Festival.
We all send get well soon wishes to Cecily Eaton who was due to represent Australia but had a bad race fall the day before leaving for the Middle East and is currently recuperating with broken bones in her back. Mend soon Cecily!