Al Merri speeds to victory for UAE

Dubai: Abdullah Al Merri led a one-two finish for the UAE in the Speed Stakes as the Dubai Show Jumping Championship finished off with two international classes and the qualifier for the FEI World Cup Qualifier.

Al Merri on Randor K took first place ahead of teammate Arif Ahmad on Peter VD. Both riders are members of the Dubai Show Jumping Team who are trained at the Emirates Equestrian Centre by Alice Debany Clero.

Her expertise in the show jumping ring seems to have been passed on to her students as young Al Merri and Ahmad showed. Olympic bronze medallist Khalid Al Eid, riding Silvano for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, had to settle for third place.

Al Merri said: "My horse has been very consistent this season with three wins so far in the weekly national competitions and so I feel tonight was a continuation of his success.

"I feel I am paying the Emirates Equestrian Centre back for helping me get to the level of riding I am at now, and for being able to compete in such prestigious events."

In the Qualifier Class for the FEI World Cup Qualifier, Saudi Arabia's Khalid Al Eid secured the first place aboard Al Riyad. It was his second prize of the evening.

He rode a beautiful clear round and was also the fastet with a time of 72.05 seconds. Second place went to another Saudi rider, Kamal Ba Hamdan riding Casita with Yasser Sherif claiming third for Syria together with Empire. Both riders completed the course without any penalties.

They were among the top 25 riders who qualified for the FEI World Cup Qualifier. UAE riders who made the grade were Abdulla Al Merri (8th place), Mohammad R Al Sowaidi (10th place), Rashid Al Hosani (14th place), Abdullah Humaid (18th place) and Shaikha Latifa Al Maktoum (Kalaska De Semilly).

Yesterday's competition opened with the 3rd national class of the show, the Juniors and Young Riders Grand Prix. The course proved challenging and out of the nine starters there were only four clear rounds. So four riders were through to the jump off.

First place went to the young Ahmad Rashid Al Soweidi, riding Ivamantis for the Emirates Heritage Club.

"The course was nice although a bit tricky in places," Al Soweidi said. "I am very happy to win as this is the first year of Riding Ivamantis and I have only won once before today."

Sulaiman Mohammad Al Anbar finished second riding Rawthah for the Sharjah Equestrian Club and commented: "I feel I have done better then yesterday where I came eighth."

Ali A Al Kumeiti, riding Salsabeel from the Ajman Equestrian Club, won the Mini Grand Prix while Abdulla Humaid, riding Tip Top for the UAE, stole first place in the Accumulator Class, a favourite with the spectators.

"Today's course suited my horse. So he took it all in his stride. The past two days have been very unfortunate for us. So I'm very happy to have won today," Al Kumeiti said.