Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Chairwoman of Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, and Al Ain Ladies Club, owner and founder of Al Shira’aa Stables, said that he UAE showjumping team’s participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics is a result of the support provided by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

This support spans all development stages of these athletes, pushing them to the height of the Paris Olympics, she explained in a statement today.

Sheikha Fatima praised the remarkable journey and outstanding success of the UAE riders in the individual showjumping event at the Paris Olympics, qualifying for the final stage among 20 countries, despite this group of riders participating for the first time in this major sporting event.

“Despite the presence of many riders from other countries who had participated in previous editions of the Olympic Games, the UAE show jumping team proved their merit to be among the best countries in the world with impressive numbers and positive results; through the promising rider Omar Al Marzooqi, who is the youngest rider participating in the event, followed by the rider Ali Al Karbi, reflecting the talent and competence of the nation's riders," she noted.

“Al Shira’aa Stables is proud to provide national showjumping teams with talented elements who grew up loving equestrian sports and gradually developed under the guidance of elite specialized trainers until they reached the best form. The UAE riders managed to rise from mere participation to competition, winning first places and qualifying for major events without relying on invitation (wild) cards, including the Paris Olympics, which formed a strong base of riders who bear the responsibility of representing the nation and competing in its name, highlighted by Omar Al Marzooqi, who joined Al Shira’aa Stables at an early age and excelled in this sport, winning the first medal in the history of the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2018,” Sheikh Fatima concluded.

Omar Al Marzooqi, rider of the UAE national show jumping team, concluded his participation in the 33rd Olympic Games, being hosted by the French capital, Paris, from 26th July to 11th August, featuring the participation of 10,500 athletes, including 14 from the UAE. He finished among the Top 20 riders, after qualifying among 30 out of 75 riders for the finals. Al Marzooqi, finished with 8 faults in a time of 83.38 seconds, ranking 19th, as the youngest participating rider in the event's history at the Olympics.