JEDDAH: The equestrian championship of the Ministry of Education was held from Tuesday to Friday at the premises of the Al-Mutabagani Equestrian Center. The four-day horse-jumping contest was organized by the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation ( SAEF). More than 100 horses participated in the 12- round contest of different categories. Ahmed Al-Zahrani, genernal director of Female Education Directorate in Jeddah, handed the awards to the winners Friday. First place went to Naser Al-Bogami while Meshari Al-Harbi came second. Naif Al-Sa'adi got third place, Bilal Ghazawi came on fourth place and Khaled Al-Eid won the fifth award. Army College team won for the team category. Organizers said some rounds had been limited for the juniors to encourage the youngsters in equestrian sports. Saudi champion knights like Abdullah Al-Sharbatley and Khaled Al-Eid – who entered the finals of Equestrian World Cup in April 2011 in Germany – joined the contest, along with Fahad Al-Joaid and Fahad Al-Eid. The contest program included Arabian horse show and javelin throw. A total of 43 knights participated in the first day that consisted of three rounds. The first involved jumping over obstacles of 90-100 centimeters, the second for 110-120 centimeters, while the last was for over 120-130 centimeters obstacles. Arwa Al-Mutabagani, general director of Al-Mutabagani Equestrian Center, appreciated the role of Ministry of Education in making the contests succeed. “I am inviting those interested in equestrian sports in the Kingdom to attend the activities, especially the show ‘Knight and Horse Trainor',” she said. Al-Mutabagani Center will also organize horse jumping contests of the Agriculture Ministry on Feb. 22-25. Agriculture Minister Fahad Balgonaim will hand the awards to the winners at the end of competition . Okaz Organization for Press and Publication is the media sponsor of both contests.
