25 March 2017, Abu Dhabi, UAE ~ Three additional students have been selected to benefit from the Racing Scholarship Fund (RSF) created by the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) Mentorship Program, which comes under the umbrella of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Purebred Arabian Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival. bringing the total to 10.
The RSF was created to help young professionals from the equestrian racing fraternity gain experience in their careers by working in other countries with like racing academies and authorities. The total students chosen for 2018 to benefit from the scholarships now totals 10.
Seven students from different countries were nominated during the February meeting of IFHRA in Abu Dhabi, with the scholarship fund being open for at least three more candidates. After successful voting from member-countries, three more students were selected. The new beneficiaries include Jihane Feqri from Morocco, Andrea Rodriguez from Puerto Rico and Brady Betlamini from Canada.
These students will join earlier nominees: Stephen Brown from Australia, Niamh Cassidy from Ireland, Jamie Gormley from the British Racing School and Thomas Ryall from Northern Racing College (both students coming from the UK), Kit Choon Khaw from Malaysia, Austin Motley from the United States of America and Nil Torries Reyes from Peru.
IFHRA, the inspiration of the UAE Deputy Prime Minster and Minister of Presidential Affairs His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, currently enjoys a membership of 56 countries.
Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA), General Manager of Wathba Stallions and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), thanked His Highness Sheikh Mansoor for his continuous effort in educating and providing young equine enthusiasts an opportunity to train themselves outside their country of residence by offering them the Royal Scholarship Fund.
”Inspired by the success of the last two years, and with the necessary experience, we decided to restrict the number of students to 10 this year,” she added
The next IFHRA board meeting will be held in May 2018, on the side-lines of the World Arabian Horse Racing Conference scheduled to be held in Madrid, Spain, from 30 April – 7 May 2018.
WHO CAN BE INVOLVED
Any candidate between the age group of 18-29 and employed within the racing industry either as an amateur jockey or apprentice jockey or involved in some other racing activity is eligible for this scholarship fund. The His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Racing Festival-supported mentorship program lasts a maximum of eight weeks and takes place in a country other than where the incumbent resides.
According to the RSF guidelines, the candidate should have finished at least one year or graduated from a racing academy based in his/her home country or other entity that provides horse racing or related industry workforce training.
The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, The National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, Al Massood Automobiles and Nissan Middleast as official car partners, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi Youth Council, General Authority for Sports and sponsored by Ayadi LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Nirvana Travels and Tourism LLC, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club, Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf, Al Wathba Centre, the UAE’s General Women’s Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2018, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.
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