BNA.bh05/03/2013
Manama, March 5 (BNA) -- Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa met Simon Brooks-Ward, Event Director and Producer and discussed general procedures for Bahrain’s participation in the 2013 Royal Windsor Horse Show, to be held in the UK from May 8 to 12.
Bahrain is organising an international endurance horse ride on May 12 in the UK on the sidelines of the five-day show.
The ride is one of a variety of equestrian competitions that will take place over four consecutive days in this year's festival, which has a wonderful mix of International Carriage Driving, Showing, Equestrian Displays and first class Jumping.
During his meeting with Brooks-Ward, Shaikh Nasser emphaised that Bahrain’s taking part in this prestigious festival comes in compliance with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad to extend the kingdom’s active presence in international sporting events.
Shaikh Nasser added that the decision was also to highlight Bahrain’s development achievement in different areas, especially in sports, affirming that Bahrain has made a significant step in preparing for its participation in the festival.
The Supreme Council chairman noted that the Bahraini delegation will look to make the most of their presence in the UK during the four-day festival, by promoting Bahrain as one of the countries that featured a quantum leap in different areas.
Both parties also reviewed Bahrain’s preparations to organize the endurance ride on May 12, with several prominent riders from Bahrain and other countries expected to take part.
On his part, Brooks-Ward affirmed that the show organizing committee is keen to make Bahrain’s participation in the UK a very special experience, besides providing ideal conditions for the activities and programmes that will be organised by the Bahraini delegation during the race.
The meeting was also attended by Royal Court chief Abdulla Al Rumaihi, Royal Ceremonies head Khalifa Al Fadhala, Royal Team manager Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan and director of Shaikh Nasser Media and Information Centre Tawfeeq Al Salehi.
This year's show celebrates its 70th anniversary, having started in 1943 to raise money for the war effort.
There are classes for the grass roots competitor right through to top international riders, besides four arenas at Royal Windsor, all with a full programme of national and grass roots show jumping as well as Military Services and Pony Club jumping competitions.
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Royal Windsor is the first major event of the equestrian showing season. It has 117 showing classes with an additional 20 championships. Over 3,000 horses and ponies compete at Royal Windsor in very prestigious classes.
As for the RWHS British Riding Clubs Championships, it's a unique grass-roots competition offering both riding club and non riding club competitors the once in a life time chance to compete at Royal Windsor.
Qualifier rounds take place around the country throughout the year, with the finals and championships being held in the prestigious Castle Arena at Royal Windsor in 2013.
One of the most important driving events in the UK - The Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix with an FEI World Cup Qualifier for the Four-In-Hand class – will also take place during the festival.
Over 80 competitors from 18 nations take place in this event with the most popular phase; The Marathon taking place on May 11.
The President of the show will be His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who still takes an active part in the event.
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