Fujairah Mountain Shooting Championship: a world-class clay shoot in the heart of the UAE

The United Arab Emirates has a history of hosting unique shooting events, including the Nad Al Sheba fixtures that took place in the deserts outside Dubai in 2014 and 2015. With substantial prize funds and sumptuous hospitality, these events left a lasting impression. For almost a decade, the enthusiasm generated by these shoots laid a solid foundation for future opportunities.

In 2023, taking inspiration from these past events, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, requested that clay-shooting champions George Digweed and Phil Gray organise a shoot that would be distinct from previous events and unlike anything else available worldwide.

It was undoubtedly a challenging shoot, albeit one that was made tougher by unseasonably windy conditions. But it was something that created a huge buzz within the sports community: the terrain, the stunning backdrops and the sense of camaraderie among all those who took part were second to none.

Clearly, as you might expect with the first running of such an ambitious event, some challenges were encountered, and George is very open about them. “We encountered some challenges in 2023, particularly with the colour of the undersides of the eco clays, which at times made them tricky to see. But we have worked tirelessly to ensure that we have addressed all the concerns raised and have done our best to make 2025 as close to perfect as possible.”

Although the shoot took place in February, the planning began 12 months earlier when George and Phil went over for a week, planning and GPS plotting every stand and every trap position. The higher organising committee of Fujairah Mountain Shooting Championship (FMSC) and Thomas Wagner then worked on it since last February while Phil, Owain Jones, James Bradley-Day, Tom Betts went out to begin building the shoot on Boxing Day 2024 alongside a 12-strong team of local helpers.

Miracles

There is no question that they performed miracles; every single trap was carried into position by hand, some being hauled 600m in places that you might expect only a mountain goat to traverse. It was an incredible achievement for all involved when you add in carrying batteries and clays up those same distances.

George added: “The boys had to make pontoons and landing areas for the boat, and ladders and walkways to get to some of the more extreme trap locations, which was a big job. It is not a five-minute job making changes when the traps are so far from the peg and when it comes to changing or tweaking a target some of them required a 400- yard walk over rough terrain.”

When the news broke that there would be a return to Fujairah, the excitement among the international community of shooters was clear. It would challenge the very best on the planet but was for more than just the elite; it was made to entertain everyone brave enough to check their ego at Dubai airport immigration and get on with the job of tackling targets that you don’t get to see anywhere else.

George continued: “We wanted it to be tough but fair, and we were allowed to do what we wanted to with the presentations within reason. At the end of the day, we go to so many shoots that are a bit similar that it seemed crazy not to use the best of the topography and put on some targets that would be memorable.”

From a shooter’s perspective, I would have to agree that the eight layouts all had their character, spread over the beautiful mountainous terrain of Fujairah, which is normally off-limits to the public. While some were close to sea level, others meant the targets were thrown at times 50 yards under the feet of the shooter over a huge water-filled quarry.

The two highest layouts were simply stratospheric: the second peg of layout seven offered a view of more than 20 miles stretching out in front of the shooter while the ground fell away some 2,000ft to the valley floor far below. It was, without doubt, one of the most spectacular shooting experiences I have ever witnessed in more than 20 years of covering and taking part in the best shoots in the world.

At each of the layouts competitors had to tackle three pegs, each of which presented six targets shot as singles, then a report pair and a sim or true pair to make a total of 30 targets per layout and a total of 240 targets over four days. This was shot under Super Sporting rules, which meant each of the six singles could be shot at with both barrels if needed.

FMSC had some of the biggest targets people would have seen anywhere, with more than a few out past 70 yards. However, people were happy to enjoy the experience even if they were missing, which is quite unusual in this sport.

George expected even the top Shots to be pushed at times. “I think that was a general part of the shoot in that you knew you could miss a few and not be out of the running if you were one of the top Shots. While at many other shoots, if you miss three or four, then that is it, game over, and you can’t gain back lost ground.”

Otherworldly

The scenery, the backdrops, the targets, and some exceptional finishing touches added a touch of theatre; peg one on layout one could only be reached via a boat ride from a dock built by the team, which arrived at another purpose-built jetty on the other side of the vast lake that hadan otherworldly feel to it.

Ammunition was included in the modest entry fee and it was made available on each peg. Shooters could choose from either Eley Ecowad 28-gr copper coated 6½s, 7½s or a slightly softer on the shoulder 24-gr 6½ that gained a real following over the four days and patterned phenomenally. Brett Winstanley, who in fifth place was the highest-placed UK Shot, had used only the 24-gr version throughout the event, and he proved its extreme performance credentials.

Layouts one and two were located on the edges of the lake, and the former proved to be the hardest of all with some real distance, especially on the extreme targets on the second peg. Layout three had the second and third pegs shooting down on to water from a height, and here it was very easy to overthink what was going on.

Sheer drops

Four was in a deep quarry, though it was more the technical side of the target setting than the raw distance that made it tricky. The fifth and sixth layouts were high in the mountains with sheer drops and stunning backdrops, but these paled when compared with the seventh and eighth, which were even higher, producing vistas and memories that none who took part will ever forget.

The leading pack changed over the four days as scores ebbed and flowed, but as the last day dawned, some familiar names looked to be in the running for the $30,000 first prize. Frenchman Charles Bardou was in the frame, as was Gebben Miles of the US and Andras Szerdahelyi of Hungary.

In the end, it was a surprise winner in the form of Enrico Tomasi from Italy, who made up ground over the final day, pulling clear to claim the spoils while the three others shot-off for the remaining podium places. Charles lost out with Gebben taking bronze and Andras the silver, though, with a payout that went down to 35th place in the Open category, there was plenty to celebrate.

Bastien Lang of France headed the juniors, with the UK’s Harry Jude just off the podium in fourth. Karen Miles of the US proved to be in a class of her own in ladies, with Charlotte Kerwood the top-placed Brit in seventh. There was a win for the UK in the seniors, thanks to Gary Meikle, who came home $10,000 richer for his efforts.

The question that has been constantly asked since the event finished is whether we will get the chance to go back. George is hopeful. “It is solely due to the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed that we were able to materialise his vision of creating a one-of-a-kind shooting championship.

“I think we are starting to create a legacy that is becoming a must-attend event. Sheikh Mohammed is a shooting enthusiast; he loves the sport, and we are fortunate to have his patronage. This event has become a wonderful opportunity to showcase what a fantastic sport shooting is and how it can unite people from different cultures in this incredible and unique environment,” he added.

I hope there is a return to Fujairah in 2027 – and the best way for you to understand it is to make sure you are there. If you truly love this sport, you owe it to yourself to go and witness a spectacle like no other.