Text © World of Showjumping

Mike Kawai won Friday's CSI4*-W 1.45m-1.60m FEI World Cup presented by Longines in Riyadh. With Celvin (Raphael x Werther), the Japanese rider produced one of the three double clear rounds in the class. Stopping the clock at 38.73 seconds in round two, Kawai left the host nation's Waled Alghamdi and Cenieta (Verdi x Indoctro) behind him in runner-up position while third place went to Egypt’s Mohamed Talaat on Casanova Royal (Cassus 2 x Caretino).

"I’m very happy to win this four-star World Cup," Kawai commented to World of Showjumping. “I came to Europe three years ago, and it has been a long way to make this happen but I made it! I would like to thank my horses, my family and the people around me for the support. We look forward to the Tokyo Olympic 2020!"

“Celvin was bought from Jerome Guery about six months ago," Kawai said about his winning partner. "I have learned a lot with him, he is my school master and a lovely horse that always tries hard. He has a great character!"