A rider in action.

As the competitions head into the final three weeks of the show jumping season, the nationals move to the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club (SERC) starting on Thursday.

Held under the supervision of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation (UAEERF), this two-day event will be the first of three nationals held in Sharjah. For the remainder of the season, the shows will be held in the club’s indoor and outdoor arenas.

This week’s show will boast of 11 classes to cater to a variety of riders and horses – Advanced riders (Division 1), Amateurs (Division 2 & Novice Division), Juniors (riders between 14 – 18 years old), Children (riders below the age of 14) and Young Horses (4 – 5 & 5 -6 years old).

Thursday will feature five classes – two in the outdoor arena and three in the indoor – with two classes of One Round not Against the Clock for the Novice Division as well as for Novices, Children and Young Horses (4-5 year-olds).

In the indoor arena, three one Round Against the Clock competitions will take place for Young Horses (5-6 year-olds), Junior Riders and Division 2 riders as well as two classes for Division 1 riders.

The remaining six classes will take place on Friday starting at 1:30pm and will see riders competing in classes of One Round not Against the Clock, Two Phase, and One Round with Jump-off with the maximum height set at 140cm. All riders will be competing for their share of a prize purse of Dhs140,000.

The competitions will be supervised by Hussam Zummit, who represents the UAEERF, with Lisa Hareb serving as Ground Jury President, with the assistance from other jury members. International course designer, Marc Debaere, designed this show’s course, with help from other course designers.

Sultan Khalifa Al Yahya’ie, Director General of Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, said: The event will help in promoting the talents of Emirati riders.”

Last month Dubai hosted the last major show jumping competition of the season — the 21st edition of the Emirates Championship.

Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club's Salim Khamis Al Suwaidi aboard Espresso won the championship.

This competition showcased 15 classes over three days at the Emirates Equestrian Centre in Dubai.