The first week of February will bring us equestrian’s United Arab Emirates Nations Cup.

Eleven countries are sending teams to the five-star event which be held at the Ghantoot Polo Club in Abu Dhabi.

Many of the world’s best riders have been attracted thanks largely to the lucrative prize money on offer which is set to total over 500,000 Euros.

By Equestrian Australia -

Chris Chugg and Vivant performed to their best to win the World Cup Final (Australian League) at the ISS Summer Show Jumping Classic, Horsley Park.

Chugg and his 12-year-old stallion were the indisputable favourites to take the title, having won 6 of the 10 World Cup qualifiers leading Sunday’s final. However it was never going to be easy to master the course built by acclaimed course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN). The competition was both a qualifier and selection event for the 2010 World Equestrian Games and Leopoldo built the toughest course seen in Australia this year.

By The International Equestrian Federation -

Australia’s Boyd Exell (pictured) was in absolute top form at the fourth leg of the FEI World Cup Driving in Budapest, Hungary. Cheered by the enthusiastic driving loving spectators in the Lászlo Pápp Sportarena, Boyd won his third FEI World Cup Driving competition of this season. Exell has now completed his World Cup competitions and with the drop score of Stockholm last weekend he is way in the lead of the standings and certain of a starting place for the Final in Geneva in April. Dutch driver Koos de Ronde was runner up again, ahead of wild card driver Jozsef Dobrovitz.

Hungarian international course designer and chef d’equipe Gábor Fíntha, who was recently promoted to O-course designer, had designed a fast course with technical elements, which was much appreciated by the competitors. Fire works were lightened both times as the drivers crossed the bridge. Being a true driving nation with many World Champions in several classes, the Hungarians are very proud at the only FEI World Cup Driving competition in their country, which was presented by OTP Bank.

By The International Equestrian Federation -

The 18 riders who had qualified for the Global Champions Tour Final in Doha, Qatar were in no doubt, from the moment they started to walk the course that they would have to work hard to win the biggest prize in show jumping.

Conrad Homfeld built a course that was every inch worthy of a set of riders who could probably lay claim to every major show jumping title between them.

To honour the occasion, in addition to the Euro 900'000 total prize money on offer there was also an original sculpture of an Arabian horse's head covered in gold and worth 8000Euro donated by Doha's international jeweller Kanz, who make bespoke pieces of jewelled art. The managing director of Kanz, Mr Ohan Assadourian personally crafted the unique piece.