The championship was held on January 3-5, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian & Racing Club, and the supervision of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation (UAEERF).
Sponsored by Longines and Al Awani, the championship included 16 rounds, half of which was dedicated to CSI4*W competitions.The other half included competitions for young horses between 6-7 years old (CSIYH1*); young riders (CSIY-A); junior riders (CSIJ-A); and children (CSICh-A).
The winners were crowned by Adnan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Head of the championship and Director General of Abu Dhabi Equestrian & Racing Club, and Khalil Ibrahim, Ground Jury President. Adnan Sultan congratulated the winners and expressed his gratitude to HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Honorary Head of the Championship for his patronage of the championship and equestrian activities in general.
He also expressed gratitude for the sponsors’ ongoing support, and for the organising committee’s dedication to the success of the event. He mentioned that the next season will include two championships; the first will be held at the end of December 2019, and the second during the first week of January 2020. The event was also successful in attracting numerous families from around the emirate as they enjoyed several activities and attractions including giant slides, balloon bending clowns, face painting, pony rides, a traditional tent offering henna tattoos, and pop-up tack shops and food trucks.
Neretnieks with second-placed Said and third-placed Al Muhairi
All the winners
Latvian rider Neretnieks won the two-round Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, flying over jumps that were between 145-160cm. A total of 28 riders took part but only eight progressed to the second phase with clear rounds. Neretnieks was the fastest in finishing the round in 43.81 seconds with Moon Ray, while Egypt’s Said and his horse, Venise Du Reverdy, came in second finishing in 46.19. Emirati riders Abdulla Humaid Al Muhairi with Cha Cha Cha 7 and Nadia Abdul Aziz Taryam on Cortado came in third and fourth place respectively.
Hamcho wins the Mini Grand Prix
The first place during the CSI4*W Mini Grand Prix competition went to Syrian rider Ahmad Hamcho with his horse ‘Quintus 81’. The competition included a jump off round with 145cm jumps. A total of 39 riders participated, with nine riders moving to the jump off round but only five triumphantly rode clear rounds. The second place went to Egyptian rider Said with his horse ‘Hope Van Scherpen Donder’. German rider, Jorg Naeve, secured third with his horse ‘Be Aperle Va’.
Weishaupt first to qualify for Grand Prix
German rider Philipp Weishaupt and his horse Belo Horizonte won first place during the speed qualifier for the CSI4*W Grand Prix, with one round of 145cm jumps. Some 45 riders participated in the round with six finishing with clear rounds. The sixth place went to the Emirati rider, Nadia Taryam, with her horse Cortado.
Khamis on song
The UAE’s Salim Khamis Al Suwaidi and his horse, Espresso, continued the winning streak, with his second win in one round against the clock (best time with the least faults) with 140cm jumps. 52 riders participated and eight rode clear rounds. Al Suwaidi recorded the best time with 55.61 seconds.
Ahmed wins two phases competition
Emirati rider, Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi, added a win for the UAE with his horse ‘Snapp Jack’ during a two phases competition with 130 cm jumps. The competition included 43 riders, with 13 finishing the two phases without faults. The second place went to Syrian rider Hisham Ghrayb with his horse ‘Ulac De Montsec’.
