Press release from UAEERF, edited by World of Showjumping

The curtain came down on an exceptional week of sport at the Longines League of Nations™ and The Emirates Jumping Cup in Abu Dhabi (UAE) with a gripping conclusion to the CSIO5* 1.60m Emirates Jumping Cup presented by Longines, where Brazil’s Luciana Diniz and Vertigo du Desert (Mylord Carthago HN x Robin Z) emerged victorious following one of the most demanding tests of the week.

A total of 50 horse-and-rider combinations came forward to tackle the two-round Grand Prix, set over a technical 1.60m track. Designed to test the very best, the course quickly proved its strength, with only two combinations managing to jump clear in the opening round. Rails fell across the arena as the final line and a delicate combination caught out even the most experienced partnerships, ensuring that only the most accurate performances would return for round two.

In the end, it was Luciana Diniz and Vertigo du Desert who held their nerve. Producing two foot-perfect rounds, the Brazilian rider finished on just one time penalty overall, crossing the line in 61.61 seconds in the second round to secure the title and confirm her place at the top of the podium. Great Britain delivered a strong collective performance, claiming both remaining podium positions. Tim Gredley finished second aboard Medoc de Toxandria (Der Senaat x Kelvin de Sainte Hermelle) on two time penalties, while Joseph Stockdale secured third with Ebanking (Etoulon x VDL Sheraton) on three time penalties.

Luciana Diniz spoke emotionally about her victory and her partnership with 17-year-old Vertigo du Desert: “I’m just so delighted and grateful to have a horse like this. He’s 17 years old and he’s not only my horse; he’s my best friend. I had one time fault today in the first round and thought about many years ago, at the Olympic Games, I had one time fault. If I had let myself think about it, it might have affected my performance. So, I just changed my inner dialogue and imagined I would be on the podium. I rode with gratitude and believe that when everything comes together like this, it feels like a gift. I had the option to either go to Doha or come to Abu Dhabi and I’m so happy I chose to come here. The universe delivered.”

Earlier during the day, the CSIO5* 1.50m Al Shira’aa Challenge delivered a gripping contest with 39 horse-and-rider combinations lining up to take on a demanding first-round track. Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann and Hylanderhof's Saruschka (Stakkato Gold x Baloubet du Rouet) set the pace from the outset, first to go and producing one of six clear rounds in a sharp 71.96 seconds.

The final double proved influential throughout the class, catching out several contenders and preventing many from progressing to the second round. In total, six pairs jumped clear, joining in the winning round with two riders carrying time faults and two with a single rail down, with the top ten advancing.

With all scores reset to zero for the deciding round, the pressure intensified. Belgium’s Annelies Vorsselmans and VDL Kelton (Bubalu VDL x Corland) were the first to deliver a clear, fourth to go, laying down a confident marker. Saudi Arabia’s Ramzy Al Duhami and Cayadino (Cayado x Quick Fire) followed with another faultless performance, before Germany’s Marco Kutscher with Aventador S (Armitage x Charming Boy) and Kim Emmen with Big Boston (Baloubet du Rouet x San Patrignano Cassini) of the Netherlands each added clears to raise the standard further. As the class unfolded, it was Germany’s Marco Kutscher who ultimately emerged on top with Aventador S, combining precision and pace to secure victory ahead of Ramzy Al Duhami and Annelies Vorsselmans in a high-calibre international podium.