Press release from Al Shira’aa International Horse Show, edited by World of Showjumping

The Al Shira’aa International Horse Show 2026 drew to a close on Sunday at Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi (UAE) as the week’s feature class, the CSI4*-W 1.60m Al Shira’aa Longines FEI Jumping World Cup delivered a fitting final to five days of world-class international competition.

Contested over two rounds and offering a €320,000 prize fund, the CSI4*-W 1.60m Al Shira’aa Longines FEI Jumping World Cup – counting for the Longines Rankings Group AA – brought together a stellar field of 50 international and local horse-and-rider combinations. Victory went to Ireland’s Shane Breen, who produced the only double clear of the class aboard BP Arctic Blue (A Pikachu du Muze x Chacco-Blue), stopping the clock in 47.61 seconds to secure a decisive win. Last year’s winner, Italy’s Guido Grimaldi followed in second place riding Gentleman (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Oklund), his performance marred only by three time faults. Completing the podium was Great Britain’s Alexander McLean, who delivered the fastest second-round time aboard Calixte Heartbreaker Z (Cicero Z x Heartbreaker), but a single pole down saw him settle for third place.

Shane Breen reflected on his winning round, saying: “I watched a few combinations go early and saw that it wasn’t an easy course. BP Arctic Blue was stepping up to this level tonight, so my focus was simply to ride my round, jump clear and then wait to see how that played out. He had a look in a couple of places, especially at the planks, but my priority was to bring him home safely. To win here is very special.”

“I’d like to sincerely thank Al Shira’aa for its continued support of show jumping globally,” Breen went on to add. “It’s hugely appreciated by riders, as is all the hard work put in by show director Samantha Kettle and the entire organising team. A very special thank you must also go to H.H. Sheikha Fatima for her vision and backing of this event.”

Reflecting on those closest to him, Breen continued: “I’m incredibly grateful to my own team at Breen Equestrian and Team Z7, especially H.H Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Most importantly, I want to thank my wife Chloe for trusting my judgement when we purchased BP Arctic Blue from a close friend, Greg Broderick. We’re a team, and this result is very much a shared achievement.”

Earlier during the day, the CSI4*-W 1.45m presented by the Presidential Court, delivered a high-calibre contest as 40 horse-and-rider combinations took on the technical 1.45m track. Former world number one Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) set an early benchmark as fifth to go, guiding the experienced Glamour Girl (VDL Zirocco Blue x Caletto I) to an impressive clear in 80.16 seconds — a time that would prove impossible to catch. Germany’s Sophie Hinners, currently ranked inside the world’s top 25 and enjoying a podium-fuelled season in the UAE, mounted a late challenge from 39th draw to secure second place aboard Come Away Flamingo Z (Cardento x Dollar du Murier). Ireland’s David Simpson, a regular fixture on Nations Cup teams and major international circuits, completed the podium in third place riding Pjotr van de Kruishoeve (Bamako de Muze x Taran de La Pomme).

Over five days of competition, the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show welcomed more than 300 athletes from 38 countries and 450 horses, with thousands of spectators passing through the gates at Al Forsan International Sports Resort, reinforcing the event’s position as a key fixture on the international show jumping calendar. The Al Shira’aa Tour now looks ahead to its next stop at Al Shira’aa Le Lame Sagrantino in Italy at the end of April.