Dubai: Top Irish show jumper Cian O'Connor demonstrated that he is the man to beat in today's Grand Prix finale, when he fought off some tough competition from a threatening pack of Arab riders to win the Gulf News Dubai Cup at the Dubai International Endurance City yesterday.
The 31-year-old Dublin native, who was riding the highly regarded nine-year-old chestnut gelding Larkhill Cruiser, delivered the best of 11 faultless rounds to win in a time of 63.38 seconds.
O'Connors' heroics on day two of the Dubai Show Jumping Championships 2011 earned him a top prize of Dh32,000.
Syria's Ahmad Saber Hamcho finished best of the Arab riders to snatch second place in 65.39 seconds for a prize purse of Dh25,000 while the UAE's Arif Ahmad was a gallant third in an ultra-competitive class which is the pre-qualifier for the FEI World Cup in Germany. Ahmad recorded a time of 65.59 seconds aboard the Dubai Equestrian Club-owned Randor K and collected a cheque for Dh18,000.
Sense of timing
A total of 11 show jumpers, including four from the UAE, regaled fans with fault-free rounds on a bright sunny afternoon at the picturesque Arabic setting of the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort. Among them were Ahmad A. Ameen (Kurtysse De Combord), Omar Ghazi Khoyry (Melodie De Lean) and Mohammad A. Al Owais (Tolita).
According to the event's rules, the top 25 Arab riders will join the four European riders who finished in the top 25 in yesterday's Gulf News Dubai Cup, in today's Dh170,000 DEC Grand Prix. Among the motley crew of non-Arab qualifiers were Germany's Lena Timm (11th yesterday), Italy's Andre Sakakini (16th) and French rider Frederic David (20th).
But it was O'Connor who stole the show from pretty much everyone with his sense of timing and relaxed style as he looked every inch the champion show jumper that he is.
The event has attracted top international show jumpers from the Arab League and Europe. Prize money totalling Dh600,000 is on offer at the three-day showpiece.
Gates open at 11am today with the Longines Accumulator kicking-off the action. The DEC Grand Prix, Qualifier for the FEI World Cup starts at 3pm and is followed by the Emirates Equestrian Centre Trophy at 6.15pm.
Admission to the event is free.
Gulf News Dubai Cup, Qualifier for the FEI World Cup
- 1. Cian O'Connor (Ireland/ Larkhill Cruiser)
Faults: 0.
Time: 63.38secs.
Prize money: Dh32,000;
- 2. Ahmad S. Hamcho (Syria/ Watch Me De Reve Bovenhoekshof)
Faults: 0.
Time: 65.39.
Prize money: Dh25,000;
- 3. Arif Ahmad (UAE/ Randor K)
Faults: 0. Time: 65.59.
Prize money: 18,000;
- 4. Prince Abdullah Bin Metab (KSA/ Mobily Ashkur Allah Obelix)
Faults: 0.
Time: 66.94.
Prize money: 12,000;
- 5. Ahmad A. Ameen (UAE/ Kurtysse De Combord)
Faults: 0.
Time: 70.38. Prize money: 9,000;
- 6. Khalid Al Eid (KSA/ Van Hoeve)
Faults: 0.
Time: 71.30;
- 7. Omar Ghazi Khoori (UAE/ Melodie De Lean)
Faults: 0.
Time: 71.46;
- 8 Mohammad A Al Owais (UAE/ Tolita) Faults: 0.
Time: 71.65;
- 9. Yasser Sharif (SYR/ Gemini)
Faults: 0.
Time: 72.01.
