The United Arab Emirates is well placed on the world map of international sport by hosting some of the most prestigious sporting events in the world. The infrastructure and facilities are world-class and has marked the UAE as the sporting capital of the Middle East.

The late His Highness Sheikh Zayed was registered as owning the largest stock of Arabian horses in the world. He had established the first Emiri stable in 1969 with 12 horses. Today, his sons have taken it to full membership of the World Arabian Horses Organization. The Maktoum family of Dubai with their 1000 horses in training around the world have stormed the international racing scene.

Now under the direction of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Equestrian Club has been granted the responsibility of overseeing all affiliated equestrian events in Dubai in the future.

Having qualified for the Olympic games both in 2004 in Athens and in 2000 Sydney Olympics, Princess Haya's latest equestrian ambition is to qualify for the 2008 Olympic games in China.

Reading the racecard

1. The Modern technique

Jockeys sat upright until the end of the last century, when Top Sloan developed the exaggerated forward-seat position. Placing the rider's weight over the horse's centre of gravity greatly reduces wind resistance, and more importantly, keeps a rider in greater balance on a horse traveling at high speeds.

2. Weighing

To insure that each horse will carry the precise assigned weight, jockeys and their equipment weigh "out" before, and weigh "in" after a race. Weight is an ever-present factor in a jockey's life. Few weigh more than 105 pounds, and those who have difficulty with excess poundage must diet constantly.

3. Racing gear

Weighing no more than four pounds, a racing saddle is little more than a "postage stamp" leather pad. The whip is also called a "bat." Goggles protect against mud and dirt. The difference between assigned weight and the rider's actual poundage is made up by lead bars carried in saddle cloth pockets (some types of races require better horses to carry more weight as a handicap).

4. Jockey's whip

In racing much controversy over the use of the jockey's whip has meant that the Jockey Club has put in place rules and regulations encouraging prudent use of the whip. Despite these guidelines animal rights groups, a handful of owners, trainers and jockeys still dispute its use. In Norway the whip is banned, except for in emergencies. It is also heavily restricted in India, where jockeys are not allowed to use whip until they have proven they are capable of winning without it. However, for the rest of the racing world it's rather a grey area.

5. Naming racehorses

The registration process for naming a racehorse is very strict. A maximum of 18 letters is allowed and eight alternatives must be submitted. The industry takes it all very seriously. Ingham Brothers stable in NSW, which is the biggest thoroughbred stable in Australia, employs a horse namer to dub each of their 200 foals a season.