Text © World of Showjumping

The CSI5*-W H.H. Ruler of Sharjah Cup 2022 kicked off in the United Arab Emirates on Friday and it was Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann who took home the biggest win of the day when topping the CSI5*-W 1.50m Longines Grand Prix qualifier.

Riding the 11-year-old mare Glamour Girl (VDL Zirocco Blue x Caletto I), Von Eckermann clocked a time of 53.78 seconds – the fastest of the 61 horse-and-rider combinations in the class. Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano on Nikolaj de Music (Kannan x Nabab de Reve) followed in runner-up position with a time of 55.06 seconds, while Belgium’s Constant van Paesschen finished third on Diaz du Thot (Ready Boy des Forets x Diams du Grasset). Fourth place went to Syria’s Ahmad Saber Hamcho on Frenchy VDS (Cornet Obolensky x Quidam de Revel), while Von Eckermann again appeared in the top five with Hollywood V (Mylord Carthago x Casall) to finish fifth. 

“This was another win for Glamour Girl, she is such a fast mare,” Von Eckermann told World of Showjumping after his victory. “I just need to ride good, stay on my line and she is simply faster than everyone else. I am really happy, we have had one or two Grand Prix classes lately where she has had unlucky faults, so she really deserved to win today.”

Earlier during the day, Von Eckermann’s partner Janika Sprunger won the CSI5*-W 1.45m Sharjah Tourism Special over two phases with a double clear round in a time of 29.68 seconds aboard Carlotta (Cornet Obolensky x Arpeggio). Ireland’s Shane Breen and Lady Star van Dorperheide (Zilverstar T x Winningmood) placed second, while the third spot went to Dutch rider Jur Vrieling on Chabada de l’Esques (Quebracho Semilly x Apache d’Adriers). Ahmad Saber Hamcho on Caldero (Camaro M x Cortez) took the fourth place and the fifth spot went to Egypt’s Mouda Zeyada on Katia (Emerald x Lancelot).