Dubai: Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Al Sharbatly underlined the strength of Arab equestrianship after storming to a sensational victory in the Dubai Equestrian Club Grand Prix on the final day of the Dubai Show Jumping Championships 2011 yesterday.
Twenty eight-year-old Al Sharbatly, a silver medalist at last year's World Equestrian Games, held his nerve on a tense day of competition at the Dubai International Endurance City in Bab Al Shams to record one of only two clear rounds.
The stylish show jumper clocked the best time of the 30 top riders from the Middle East and Europe and celebrated his triumph by tossing his riding helmet into the air during an emotional victory lap.
His effort aboard Columbia 11, earned him a top prize of Dh43,000 and an even more priceless 20 World Cup qualifying points as he bids to qualify for this year's German showpiece event.
Al Sharbatly's triumph evoked a sense of pride among the Arab equestrian fraternity and they cheered their stars bidding to qualify for the World Cup.
Only the top two riders at the end of the Middle East series will make the trip to Leipzig, Germany in April.
Apart from Al Sharbatly, Egypt's Ahmad Tolba was the only other rider to deliver a fault-free round yesterday to bag the second spot with a time of 49.12 seconds. His reward was a prize of Dh34,000.
Pony-tailed Lena Timm, representing show jumping powerhouses Germany, finished third with a determined round in 53.53 while Ahmad Al Junaibi finished best of the ten UAE riders in action yesterday when he clocked a smart time of 47.34 seconds with four faults.
Irish Olympian Cian O'Connor, who topped Friday's qualifying round, could only finish fifth after he incurred four penalties.
The cream of the region's show jumping talent was in action over three days of competition, including riders from Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan together with show jumpers from Ireland, Germany, Italy, France and Portugal.
Following yesterday's event the series will move to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain. O'Connor won the Longines Accumulator, worth a top prize of Dh 20,000, with a time of 41.87 seconds. Saudi Arabia's Khalid Al Eid was second in 44.88 and Frenchman Frederic David third in 45.38. Arif Ahmad was the best placed UAE rider after clocking 50.64 seconds to finish ninth in a 50-strong field.
