The developer of the biggest equestrian sporting venue in the world, Meydan Group, and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) are proud to announce today, a major new agreement for 2009 for title sponsorship of the historic Nations Cup Series, Jumping’s premier team competition, to be known as Meydan FEI Nations Cup Series.
 
Jewel in the crown of the FEI, the Meydan FEI Nations Cup will feature the ten best national Jumping teams in the world competing at eight of the best venues throughout Europe with a final event at the world famous Dublin Horse Show in August this year.
 
Meydan Group LLC (Limited Liability Company) is the name behind the development of the United Arab Emirate’s landmark racecourse, the iconic new green 67 million square feet, state of the art development whose vision is to be ‘the lungs of Dubai’ and its environmental voice has the horse at its very heart. The magnificent setting is to be home to the 2010 Dubai World Cup, with a state of the art racetrack and also featuring an equestrian resort as part of a major business and conference district.
 
Mr. Saeed Bin Humaid Al-Tayer, Chairman of Meydan said: “The Meydan FEI Nations Cup is an exceptional opportunity for us to promote Meydan as the heartland of the business and horse world in the East.
 
Through our partnership with the FEI we will be able to share the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum with the wider horse sport community, a vision of Meydan as a venue like no other sporting arena in the world.
 
The synergy between Meydan and the highest quality team Jumping competition in the world is perfect and we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship, which we hope to build on for the future.”

President of the FEI, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein said “‘Meydan’ itself is an Arabic word, which translated literally in English to mean, ‘the arena’, in Arabic, a meeting place where people come to discuss, compete and achieve.  An environment that encourages competition and co-operation to live side by side in harmony.  A habitat created to promote excellence and fair play in sport, commerce, life and much more. The match is perfect for everything that we collectively aim to achieve.”
 
Secretary General of the FEI, Alexander McLin said “The FEI is thrilled to welcome Meydan as the platinum title sponsor for this top level series which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. This partnership reflects the potential of the series and ensures a bright future for all involved with the sport.

We are thrilled at the prospect that we have been recognised as the vehicle to represent great companies like Meydan, whose ambition is to be acknowledged as being leaders in environmental development through equestrian sport.

I hope that the announcement of our partnership with Meydan, will also give encouragement to equestrian sport and the racing world, by showing that although these are challenging times they are not impossible.”

Carsten Couchouron, Executive Commercial Director of the FEI said “A new partnership of this calibre, secured despite the current economic climate, will allow us to improve the product and propel the strategy of the series to new heights. We are excited to be associated with this visionary concept championed by Meydan and look forward to a fruitful partnership”

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Notes to Editors
Meydan Group LLC (Limited Liability Company) oversees the development of the UAE’s new iconic horseracing development. It will feature a world-class grandstand, and the enterprise will also serve as a major business and conference district. Derived from an Arabic word which when translated, describes a place where people congregate and compete - Meydan includes five-star hotel, restaurants, a covered car parking for 10,000, the Meydan Museum and Gallery, IMAX Theatre and the Dubai Racing Club and Emirates Racing Authority offices.

Meydan Racecourse is in close proximity to Meydan Horizons - a self-contained community consisting of high-end commercial and residential plots, retail outlets and continuous air conditioned arcades with canal, waterfront and promenade views.

The Metropolis design is inspired by the elements of Earth and Metal and their associated values of strength, energy and determination, extensive office space across multiple blocks are linked by an impressive mall creating a linear, active urban space. Featuring an expansive commercial, retail and residential mix along with its very own town club and hotel, Metropolis will be the undisputed choice for companies who really mean business.

The Godolphin Parks is a celebration of waterfronts as the focal point for cities of the 21st century. Exceptionally planned Godolphin Parks is a model for development that merges sustainable ecological engineering with urban lifestyle sophistication.
www.meydan.ae

For media enquiries, contact Richard Johnson (richard.johnson@fei.org), FEI Director of Communications at +41 78 750 61 22