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BREEF Announces Bahrain Show Jumping Team

The Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) proudly announces today the establishment of Bahrain Show Jumping Team.

Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain Show Jumping commented, “Show Jumping combines culture, tradition and history, and is a sport that creates a community event. With Bahrain being a smaller country, we hope to bring all the riders together to support this new venture and work together to put Bahrain on the equestrian map again. We would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, for their approval, support and backing to this development. It is a huge encouragement to have this and with it we aim to go forward and fulfil our goals.”

The overall standard of show jumping will be raised dramatically in the coming season. Many changes will take place pertaining to the overall running of the sport; firstly entry systems will be upgraded, competitors will be graded on their current ability in order to encourage development and training, secondly there will be an increased number of competitions thus giving everyone more experience, and finally awards will be increased.

Sheikh Hassan bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Vice-Chairman of the Show Jumping Committee said “We truly believe that Bahrain has the level of talent and competition which will go a long way towards the future of the sport. With the invaluable support of His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad and His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad, we hope to encourage young riders to take part and represent Bahrain on a national and international level.”

The main goal is to see the Bahrain team competing in the 2012 Olympic Games. There are milestones to be reached through Asia and Europe, which, through training and development are highly achievable.

By developing Bahrain’s status in the Equestrian world, The Kingdom will have even more to offer to tourists and those looking to relocate to the country.

BREEF is also proud to announce the riders selected for the Bahrain Show Jumping Team.

The riders initially selected to represent the Kingdom of Bahrain are Basil Al Dossary and Ali Issa.

The team selection process took place under the judgment of BREEF officials and was open to all Bahraini riders that competed in the 2008-2010 seasons Grand Prix classes and/or HM The Kings Cup International event held in February 2009.

Applying these guidelines to all hopefuls ensured that the riders selected would be mentally and physically prepared for the demanding level of training and competition that lies ahead.

The riders have each been participating in the show jumping competitions for a number of years and are delighted to have been chosen to represent their country in the sport that they are devoted to. With BDF rider Mr. Al Dossary, and homegrown rider, Mr. Isa, the team will now be put on a rigorous training programme with newly appointed international trainer, Mr. Joaquin Tinao Perez-Miravete.

Mr. Joaquin Perez, a representative of the Spanish team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, has come from Spain to work with the team to develop their abilities and technique in the sport, with the aim of showing Bahrain as a leading nation in the regional and international competitions.

Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla, said “With his previous position as the National team trainer at the Royal Moroccan Stables, Joaquin has the level of experience and knowledge to take the team to high levels. We are very excited about the differences that we will see in the sport and wish well in their training and competitions.”

The team leaves Bahrain today, with Chef D’Equipe Mr. Jameel Ramadhan, to start their training programme in Spain. The shows they are competing in are as follows:

03-05 July – CSN* Circuito de la Luna Saltos, Cadiz, Spain
10-12 July – CSN* Circuito de la Luna Saltos, Cadiz, Spain
17-19 July – CSN* Circuito de la Luna Saltos, Cadiz, Spain
29 July – 02 August – CSI* Costa del Sol, Malaga, Spain