“The vision is very clear and we are right now closer than any other time to accomplish our target and encourage as many young ladies as possible to show their talent within an attractive and friendly
atmosphere,” she said during a special session to discuss the future of women in Arabian racing.
“We have approached women across racing industry which is dominated by men and we have made a tremendous breakthrough,” she added.
The session was attended by the UAE ambassador to Germany HE Mohammed Ahmed Al Mahmoud, Shaikha Najla Al Qassimi, UAE ambassador to Sweden, HE Abdul Rahaman Al Mutawi, UAE ambassador to UK, HE Mohammed Meer Al Raisi, UAE ambassador to France, HE Asim Mirza, UAE ambassador to Poland, HE Al Asri Al Dhahiri, UAE ambassador to Morocco, Noura Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the UAE Women Sports Committee and director of the UAE General Women Union and Shaikh Hamid bin Khadem, Chairman of the UAE Boxing Association in addition to other UAE and German sports officials.
It was also attended by HE Abdul Mohsen Al Dosary, assistant secretary
general of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare, Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, director general of Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Esam Abdulla, director of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Abdulla Al Qubaisi, director of Communications at Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Ali Mosa, director general of Dubai Equestrian Club and Stephen Bowey, representing Invest AD.
Lara Sawaya, director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Racing Festival and head of the Women Races at IFAHR noted that the third edition of the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference Germany 2012 established itself as a landmark in the development and promotion process of this noble creature.
“The initiative and support of HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of Nation, paved the way for UAE and Arab women to make their presence felt in the international arenas. “Women in the Arab world have passion for horse riding, breeding and training. They have been looking after their family’s horses as part of their day to day responsibilities as children and housewives. A Bedouin who owns a strong and fast horse feels that he rules the world, and all the family members share the responsibility of looking after this horse. And from this very beginning the relationship between women and Arabian horses has grown up in the heart of the desert.
“Now, the UAE, Arab and other women around the globe have received a strong boost thanks to the brilliant initiative of HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the Mother of the UAE, and the directives of HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs” she said.
“The door is wide open for women from different countries in the world to go ahead with their plans as Arabian horse breeders, trainers and jockeys thanks to the brilliant initiative and generous support of HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak. “The Arabian horses are now racing side by side with the world’s
highest rated thoroughbreds, including unbeaten mare Black Caviar and Frankel as it happened at the Mooney Valley Racecourse in Melbourne and Newbury Racecourse. The Arabian racecard is published by the Racing Post and the races are streamlined live Racing UK and betting shops are not an exception.” she said.
Australia’s Maureen Milburn, a winner of the prestigious HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Lifetime Award’ for her service to Arabian racing said: “It’s amazing opportunity for the girls to race in
different countries and varying tracks.”
English trainer GillianDuffield who was named Best Trainer in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Darley Awards added: “I went to Dubai in 2002 with a small handful of horses and that from where I have started my campaign in the Middle East. The Arabian horse is a people-oriented animal and easy to handle. The HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak initiative is a huge step forward to promote women’s Arabian racing around the globe.”
