Al Sharbatli crowned champion
Saudi rider books a berth at the Geneva Show jumping World Cup in April
Dubai : Top Saudi Arabian horseman Abdullah Al Sharbatli covered himself in glory by winning the prestigious Dubai Equestrian Club Grand Prix, the showpiece event at the 2010 Dubai Show Jumping Championships which concluded yesterday.
Al Sharbatli, who has delivered a string of high-quality performances over three days of stiff competition, excelled in yesterday's grand finale to pocket the title and Dh43,000 cash prize.
For his effort he earned a place in the 2010 Geneva International Show Jumping World Cup from April 14 to 18.
Al Sharbatli showed off the impeccable discipline that is the hallmark of equestrianism as he partnered his horse Goldex in a faultless riding display clocked at 43.64 seconds.
Qatar's Ali Yousuf Al Rumaihi was second with a time of 47.88 seconds and the UAE's Ahmad Al Ameen third, clocking 53.14 seconds.
Former World Cup qualifier Ahmad Al Junaibi could only finish in joint eighth place with three other horsemen including fellow UAE riders Shaikh Majid Al Qasimi and Mohammad Ganem Al Hajri.
The cream of the region's show jumping talent was in action over three days of competition worth Dh600,000 in total prize money. It included class competitors from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the UAE.
The championship was organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club and sponsored by Gulf News, Longines and Al Mubdee Scaffolding LLC.
The UAE's Rashid Al Hosani won the Longines Accumulation worth a top prize of Dh20,000.
He was followed by another UAE horseman, Khalid Al Junaibi, the younger brother of Ahmad.
Results
Grand Prix: 1. Abdullah al Sharbatli (KSA- horse: Goldex) 43.64 seconds. Prize money: Dh43,000. 2. Ali Yousuf Al Rumaihi (Qatar-Ravenna 323) 47.88. Dh34,000. 3. Ahmad Al Ameen (UAE - Kurtysse de Combord) 53.14. Dh26,000. Emirates Equestrian Centre Trophy: 1. Ahmad S Hamsho (Syria-horse Montanus Colorado) 69.1 seconds. Prize money: Dh5,000. 2. Mohammad A Al Owais (UAE-Gaetano 27) 70.74. Dh4,000. 3. Shaikh Rashid Ahmad Al Maktoum (UAE-Aquino) 63.94. Dh3,000.
