This showjumping championship, classified as a two-star event, gained international recognition just one year after its inaugural competition on the shores of Kalba beach.

The Sharjah Kalba International Showjumping Championship will kick on Thursday.

Taking place at Kalba Beach, the showjumping championship, is organised by the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club as part of the fifth edition of the Sharjah Kalba Festival for Equestrian Sports.

To be held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Sharjah Kalba Festival includes Sharjah Kalba Arabian Horse Championship, the Sharjah Kalba Dressage Championship, and the Kalba International Showjumping Championship.

This showjumping championship, classified as a two-star event, gained international recognition just one year after its inaugural competition on the shores of Kalba beach.

The success and positive response prompted the festival's management to elevate the competition to an international level, maintaining its distinction as the first beach showjumping event in the UAE.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qasimi, the President of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, is overseeing the championship, with Sultan Mohamed Khalifa Al Yehyai, the General Manager of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, managing the event.

The judging committee is chaired by Hossam Zameet, and the international competition course is designed by Yousef Al Mahmoudi, with international oversight by Ali Muhajir. The administrative, technical, and judging committees are supported by various officials.

The championship spans four days, running from Friday to Sunday (December 7-10), featuring a total of 10 competitions. The winners and top-placed participants will be awarded a total prize pool of €71,200.

The event is organized by the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, supervised by the FEI and the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, with sponsorship from several companies and institutions.

The first competitions of the championship kick off on Thursday at 1pm, featuring special stages with obstacles set at 110 cm, sponsored by the Kalba Municipality. Friday will witness three competitions, starting at 9am with two special stages at 120 cm obstacles, sponsored by Sharjah Sports Channel. In the afternoon, at 2:30 PM, there will be a competition with two special stages at 130 cm obstacles, sponsored by Al Marwan Group. The day concludes at 4:30pm with a single-round competition at 140cm obstacles, sponsored by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation.

Saturday's competitions begin at 9am with the Equanist Points Accumulation competition at 115 cm obstacles. At 12:30pm, there will be a single-round competition at 135 cm obstacles, sponsored by the Sharjah Sports Council. The day concludes with the Majestic Kalba Qualifying competition for the Grand Prize at 145cm obstacles.

The Kalba International Showjumping Championship concludes on Sunday with three competitions. The championship concludes with the Longines Kalba Grand Prize competition at 145cm obstacles.