Text © World of Showjumping

Egypt’s Abdel Said is strengthening his string of horses ahead of the 2020-season. 

Said has no less than three new exciting horses in his stables: The 10-year-old mare Alanine de Vains (Allegreto x Adelfos), the 11-year-old gelding Freestyle (Caretino 2 x Stakkato) and the 11-year-old gelding Curious George (Codex One x Dutch Capitol). 

Alanine de Vains has been carefully produced by French rider Nicolas Delmotte, all the way up to five-star Grand Prix level. Said bought the mare at the end of 2019. “I had been following Alanine since May-June last year, and I always liked her. Then I saw her jumping in the Grand Prix in Barcelona in October, and after I got to try her. I fell in love straight away, she has everything – heart, mind, quality, scope and carefulness. On top she has been produced carefully and perfectly by Nicolas. In my opinion, she has all the potential to succeed. I will produce her as my number one option for the Olympic Games this summer – alongside Venise du Reverdy and Jumpy van de Hermitage,” Said tells World of Showjumping. 

Said has also invested in the 11-year-old gelding Freestyle, previously competed by Italy’s Carlo Rogiani up to 1.50m level. “Freestyle is a very clever and intelligent horse. He has enough experience and mileage but has been produced quietly by his breeders, so he has not been used. I think he can go all the way,” Said says. 

“I am in the lucky position to have good partners investing in horses together with me, and I am very excited for this season with the Olympics as my main target. I am going to stay quiet and work hard, and I have a great team around me to help me reach my goals. We also have some great younger horses coming up, that is being produced to a higher level by my riders Samuel Hutton and Antonia Pettersson Haggstrom,” Said explains. “I also aim to be there for my students, so they can develop and reach their goals for the 2020-season. It is going to be a busy year for all of us.”

Laura Kraut’s former ride Curious George has also joined Said ahead of the 2020-season, and the Egyptian rider will jump his first classes with the 11-year-old gelding at the CSI4* World Cup show in Abu Dhabi this weekend. “I have gotten the ride on Curious George from the Heise-family, who owns him. For commercial reasons they asked me to campaign him, and I will do so until he is sold,” Said explains.