Emirates Equestrian Centre will once again play host to the Virtus CSI2* International Horse show from the 15th to 17th December, seeing some of the world’s leading show jumpers compete for AED330,000 prize money over the course of three days.
Running from 9 am to 9 pm each day, the show promises to be a fun-filled day for all the family. Visitors will be able to shop at the Virtus Village, featuring local and international equestrian brands and artisan makers, and dine at one of the venue’s pop-ups. These include home-grown coffee shop and purveyor of sweet treats Press Café and DIFC favourite Bite Me who will be bringing their ‘Get Plucked’ truck, featuring delectable delights including juicy burgers and popcorn chicken on the menu. On the Saturday and Sunday, the team at Pets Middle East Magazine will launch their Dog Adoption Zone, where visitors to Virtus will be able to interact with four-legged friends looking for their forever home and register interest to adopt.
Saturday’s costume classes are guaranteed to bring fun and fancy to the main arena, with riders and horses sporting a myriad of memorable outfits. The show’s first edition saw pirates, superheroes and dragons compete for the coveted best-dressed prize, as voted for by the audience.
Top riders from around the globe are expected to return to the Virtus Show this December, with the likes of the Al Shira’aa-sponsored riders continuing their preparation for next Summer’s Olympic Games, and other sporting legends competing in Sunday afternoon’s Grand Prix.
Feedback from riders, spectators, sponsors and officials was very positive from the show’s first edition held in March 2023. Riders from 38 countries competed over 250 horses in front of a vast audience, exceeding all expectations from the organisers, a passionate team of young Equestrians who are shaking up the show jumping scene.
Event sponsors for the show include the returning Majesticq, a UAE-founded equestrian brand, the Date Room, and Longines, the official Sponsor and Partner of the Equestrian Sport in the UAE. This edition sees new partnerships and activations with Dubai International Marine Club and their World Champion Powerboat racing team ‘Victory’, and one of the UAE’s leading healthcare providers, Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, who will provide medical services for the event.
The show is free to attend for all, with VIP Hospitality packages starting at AED3,500 per day inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner and a private stable tour and course walk.
For table bookings and sponsorship enquiries, please get in touch with the team at [email protected]
