Karim El Zoghby and Amelia (Cantos x Numero Uno) went to the top in the CSIO5* Al Ain Grand Prix presented by Longines. 

Only three riders out of the field of fifty managed to produce double clear rounds, and made it to the podium. The class had a lot of faults, and no less than six riders retired.

Fastest in the second round of the double clear riders, was Egypt’s El Zoghby on his feisty Dutch-bred mare stopping the clock on 46.67 seconds. Closest to El Zoghby came Italy’s Emilio Bicocchi on Ares (Ephebe For Ever x Rebel), that recorded a time of 47.08 seconds in round two. Quite a bit slower was Syria’s Ahmed Saber Hamcho on Callahan (Contender I x For Pleasure), that finished the second round track in 53.63 seconds to take care of the third place.

Poland’s Ales Opatrny and Acovaro (Acodetto I x Calvaro) ended fourth with a time fault in round two, while Ukraine’s Cassio Rivetti and Fine Fleur du Marais (Toulon x Cento) were fifth with four faults from the first round added to their final score after round two. 

Text © World of Showjumping // Archive picture © Jenny Abrahamsson