Thursday's highlight at the CSIO5* event in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, was the 1.60m President of the UAE Showjumping Cup presented by Longines.
Out of the 36 horse-and-rider combinations in the class, nine continued on to the second round – carrying with them their scores from round one. However, it was only Kristaps Neretnieks (LAT) on Moon Ray (Cornet Obolensky x Contender) and Maysam Bisharat (JOR) on Un Dollar de Blondel (Tlaloc M x Landadel) that went into round two on a zero.
When poles started to fall in the second round, a quick clear secured Mouda Zeyada (EGY) and Morocco (For Edition x Wanderer) the victory – adding nothing to their four penalties from round one, with a time of 50.48 seconds. With four faults and a time of 50.85 seconds in round two, Neretnieks had to settle for the runner-up position while Bisharat ended third after stopping the clock on 54.58 seconds. Mohd Osama El Borai (EGY) on Quintero (Quasimodo Z x Equador) placed fourth and Daniel Meech (NZL) on Cinca (Casal x Carthago) fifth.
Earlier during the day, the CSIO5* 1.45m Abu Dhabi Sports Council Cup went to Georgia Tame (GBR) on Evita (Carambole x Equador). Mohamed Talaat (EGY) on Tabea (Contendro I x Fernando) took the runner-up position, while Jack Ryan (IRL) on KBS Major Player (Obos Quality 004 x High Roller) placed third. Ahmad Saber Hamcho (SYR) on Caldero (Camaro H x Cortez) took the fourth place and the fifth spot went to Ramzy Al Duhami (KSA) on Manola LS la Silla (Manzanillo LS x Riscal).