Text © World of Showjumping

The CSIO5* President of the UAE Showjumping Cup in Abu Dhabi (UAE) got under way on Wednesday with the 1.50m Longines Grand Prix qualifier. With 43 horse-and-rider combinations on the start list, a total of eleven pairs cleared the first-round track and joined the deciding jump-off.

Fastest of them all was David Will (GER) on the 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding Darius de Kezeg Z (Darco x Heartbreaker), taking home the win with a time of 39.35 seconds in the jump-off. Only fractions behind him followed Vladimir Tuganov (RUS) on the 14-year-old Selle Francais stallion Suspens Floreval (Clinton x Don Juan), slotting into runner-up position with a time of 39.38. Mouda Zeyada (EGY) on the 11-year-old Selle Francais stallion Vizalaty (Newton de Kreisker x Mr Blue) took the third place, while fourth went to Mohd Osama El Borai (EGY) on Quintero (Quasimodo Z x Ecuador) and fifth to Kristaps Neretnieks (LAT) on Moon Ray (Cornet Obolensky x Contender). 

Earlier in the afternoon, the CSIO5* 1.45m UAE Equestrian Federation Speed Stakes went to Khaled Abdulrahman Al Mobty (KSA) on Grunnerger Kwiebus (Ustinov x Landon) with a time of 63.27. Abdullah Al Sharbatly (KSA) on Boomerang (Orlando x Lux Z) placed second, while the third place went to Trevor Breen (IRL) on Z7 Caretina (Coltaire Z x unknown). Nabia Abdul Aziz Taryam (UAE) on Askaria (Askari x Levisto) took the fourth place, while the fifth spot went to Mohamed Talaat (EGY) on Tabea (Contendro I x Fernando). 

The show in Abu Dhabi continues on Thursday with the President of the UAE Showjumping Cup presented by Longines, a 1.60m competition over two rounds.