The CSIO5* UAE President Cup 2017 at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club in Abu Dhabi started on Wednesday. The first Grand Prix qualifier, a 92000 Euro class on 1.50m height with one round and a jump-off sponsored by ADSC went to Italy’s Emilio Bicocchi on Ares (Ephebe for Ever x Kabella).

Bicocchi rode two clear rounds and clocked the winning time of 31,69 seconds in the jump-off. It was tight in the jump-off between the top four finishers; the second place went to David Will (GER) on Mic Mac du Tillard (Cruising x Quanagra) with a time of 33,10 seconds, Patrice Delaveau (FRA) on Carinjo HDC (Cascavelle x Exquisite) took the third place with a time of 33,12 seconds and Ibrahim Hani Bisharat (JOR) on Bowie Z (Balou du Rouet x Stefanie) placed fourth with a time of 33,92 seconds.

Out of the starter field of 58 competitors 22 rode a clear round and joined the jump-off, 13 of them ending on a double clear result on the course set up by course designer Bernardo Costa Cabrai (POR) together with the assistant course designer Bob Ellis (GBR).

The Wednesday in Al Ain started with a 1.45m height class with one round against the clock sponsored by Longines. The first prize of 6875 Euros from the 27500 Euros in total in the class went to Paolo Paini (ITA) on Clodia CSG (Quidam de Revel x Blue Velvet) with a time of 57,03 seconds. Abdelkebir Quaddar (MAR) on Cordano Sitte Z (Carthago x Insel Sitte) placed second with a time of 58,21 seconds and the third place went to Felix Hassmann (GER) on SL Brazonado (SL Baluarte x SL Soberana) with a time of 58,68 seconds.

Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club will host the first FEI Nations Cup event of the season on Thursday afternoon.