Text © World of Showjumping

Joe Whitaker (GBR) and Hulahupe JR (VDL Bubalu x Indoctro) won Sunday’s CSI4*-W 1.55m Al Shira’aa Longines Diamond Tour FEI Jumping World Cup Grand Prix at the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 

Eleven pairs out of the 39 horse-and-rider-combinations at start cleared their way into the deciding jump-off, where Whitaker was the fastest, taking the win after stopping the clock at 42.01 seconds. Billy Twomey (IRL) and Chat Botte E.D. (Casall x Darco) followed in second with a time of 43.60, while Duarte Seabra (POR) and Dourados (Diarado x Cornet Obolensky) placed third when crossing the finish line in 44.61. Jessica Burke (IRL) and Nikey HH (Heral van’T Ruytershof x Upsilon vd Heffinck) finished fourth, and Tim Gredley (GBR) fifth aboard Medoc de Toxandria (Der Senaat x Kelvin de Sainte Hermelle). 

The second CSI4*-W class of the day, the 1.50m Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan Gold Tour, went to Abdel Said (BEL) and Arpege du Ru (Apache d’Adriers x Quat’sous). With a time of 38.20 in the jump-off, Said left Jessica Burke (IRL) and Express Trend (Future Trend x Condios) to the runner-up position, while Celine Schoonbroodt-de Azevedo (BEL) and Deesse des Embruns (Mylord Carthago x Orame) placed third, Tim Gredley (GBR) and Imperial HBF (Glasgow vh Merelsnest x Original VDL) fourth and Shane Breen (IRL) fifth aboard Z7 Ipschwich (Carembar de Muze x Quick Star).