The Longines FEI Nations Cup series will kick off its season this weekend, and the action at CSIO5* Abu Dhabi (UAE) got underway on Wednesday with the Italians in top form.

The main class of the day, a 1.50m competition with a jump-off presented by Longines, went to Luca Maria Moneta (ITA). Riding the 17-year-old gelding Connery (Cordobes II x Polydor), the Italian rider clocked the winning time of 35,87 seconds in the jump-off. Cameron Hanley (IRL) on the 9-year-old gelding Quirex (Quirado x Concept) took the runner-up position with a time of 36,20, while Philipp Weishaupt (GER) on the 11-year-old mare Asathir (Diamant de Semilly x Papillon Rouge) took the third place after stopping the clocks on 36,54. Shane Breen (IRL) on the 12-year-old stallion Can Ya Makan (Canturo x Fara) placed fourth with a time of 36,90 seconds in the jump-off and the fifth spot went to Abdulrahman Bader Alrajhi (KSA) on the 14-year-old gelding Qognac des Hayettes Z (Quartz Adelheid Z x Pilot) with a time of 37,17.

Also in the first five-star class of the day, a 1.45m competition against the clock presented by FBH Stables, Moneta took the top honours. Riding the 17-year-old gelding Neptune Brecourt (Cavalor Cumano x Kayack), the quick Italian beat the field of 54, clocking a time of 51,91 seconds. Anthony Condon (IRL) on the 9-year-old mare Zira vh Kapelhof Z (Zurich x Quickfeuer van Koekshof) placed second with a time of 54,36, while Pieter Clemens (BEL) on the 11-year-old stallion Corelli (For Pleasure x Burggraaf) took the third spot with a time of 55,80. Jos Lansink (BEL) on the 11-year-old mare Loiza (Lord Pezi x Charmant) took the fourth place with a time of 55,81 and the fifth spot went to Samuel Hutton (GBR) on the 11-year-old stallion Aramis (Askari x Campione), after the pair clocked a time of 56,16.