This year’s edition of the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show has drawn to a spectacular close with the UAE winning the CSI4 Longines Al Shira’aa Grand Prix. The two-round class concluded with a crowning ceremony, where the cup winner was awarded €15,500 (25% of the total prize pool of €62,000)
DUBAI, (Pakistan Point News - 14th Jan, 2019) This year’s edition of the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show has drawn to a spectacular close with the UAE winning the CSI4 Longines Al Shira’aa Grand Prix. The two-round class concluded with a crowning ceremony, where the cup winner was awarded €15,500 (25% of the total prize pool of €62,000).
30 riders competed in the first round on a daring course that had 150-160 cm jumps. Eight riders made it to the second round, where only two riders finished without faults. Cup winner, Abdullah Al Marri, finished the round on ‘Sama Dubai FBH’ (12 years old) without faults in 33.07 seconds. His performance is indicative of his experience and deep understanding of the course and its jumps, and best methods of tackling the highest jump of 160 cm. His quick time and flawless performance left the 2018 Cup holder, Sweden’s Henrik Von Eckermann, fighting to defend his title on his 9-year-old gelding, ‘Peter Pan’. Eckermann spared no effort to shave seconds off the clock but could only complete the course in 33.35 seconds. The third place went to 2018’s UAE President Cup holder (CSI5), Saudi Olympian Ramzy Al Duhami on 11-year-old gelding, ‘Ted’. Al Duhami took the course after Al Marri, finishing the second round in 33.32 seconds with four faults.
Another addition to this year’s show was the Emirates Motor Company Al Shira’aa Derby – the first time a class of this kind has ever been held in the UAE. This competition is an equestrian favorite as it showcases the skills of the riders and capabilities of their horses. Al Shira’aa Derby was a one round competition on a 14-jump course, with one triple and double jumps, totaling 17 efforts. Jumps height varied between 130-135cm, with half constituting natural obstacles. It was the ultimate test of rider skill and ability to correctly navigate the course, racing against the clock to finish the fastest, with the least number of faults. The Emirates Motor Company awarded the winner a Mercedes GLA 220, and €25,000.
68 riders participated in the derby, with only nine riders completing with clear rounds. The UAE’s Hamad Ali Al Kirbi recorded the best time on ‘Uxmal D'ysieux’, finishing in 81.09 seconds and winning a brand-new Mercedes. Mohammed Al Hajri on ‘Doklahoma Vdl’ came in second place in 82.73; while third place went to Hickstead Champion, William Funnell, on ‘Billy Mccain’ in 82.92 seconds. Abdul Jalil Al Fahim and Mohammed Al Fahim from Emirates Motor Company awarded the winners and explained that the company’s sponsorship aims to support the great efforts of developing show jumping. This award is only the beginning and aims to encourage riders to further develop their skills in this sport.
Saudi Arabia also had some notable wins as young rider, Khaled Abdulrahman Almobaty, won the Abu Dhabi sports Council Classic Stakes on the last day of the Al Shira’aa Show. This one round with a jump-off included 135 cm jumps and witnessed the participation of 54 riders. 18 riders finished with clear rounds, while seven riders only completed the jump-off round without faults. On 8-year-old ‘Garizona’, Khaled Abdulrahman Almobaty completed the round in 35.51 seconds; while Irish rider, Trevor Breen, came in second place on ‘Escapade H’ finishing the jump-off in 35.63 seconds, and third place went to Kuwait’s Talal Al Zahem, who finished in 35.85 on ‘Coraggiosa 2’.
