By Duane Fonseca

David Simpson partnered Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve to victory in the showpiece CSI2* Sharjah Grand Prix presented by Longines at Sharjah Racing and Equestrian Centre last week. One of five riders to sign off with a faultless ride in the jump-off, Irishman Simpson posted a time of 39.58s which wasn’t the fastest, as two others, Latvia’s Kristaps Neretnieks on Conlouba and Frenchwoman Ines Joly on Vitto De Cartherey were quicker, faults collected during their attempts to tackle the 145cm obstacles relegating them to the minor money spots after finishing sixth and seventh respectively.

Simpson however picked up the lion’s share of the prize purse of €26,000 reserved for the event, with second placed Vladimir Tuganov on Conquida De Revel PS and Egor Shchibrik on Cornet’s Spirit clocking 40.87s and 42.15s respectively. A total of 11 riders made the jump-off, Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed Al Maktoum, best placed of the Emirati riders as she finished tenth aboard Al Bahie with a time of 45.52s with eight faults.

UAE 1-2 IN YOUNG RIDER EVENT

The CSIY-A YR Final presented by Sharjah Sport Council (135cm) was won by UAE’s Ali Ahmed Al Junaibi on Kouchette Ter Goes Z with a time of 43.06s, with second place going to compatriot Omar Abdulaziz Al Marzooqi on Concordia with 44.91s on the clock. Both amassed four penalties each. Egypt’s Ali Ahmed Arafat won the CSICh-A Children Final FEI Group VII (115cm) event on Finch with a time of 46.7s, while Michael Duffy of Ireland nicked the CSIYH1* 7yo Final presented by Sharjah Equestrian Club on Geniale Star Kervec with 41.47s on the clock.

The CSIYH1* 6yo event was snapped up by UAE’s Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi on Colosimo with a time of 44.35s. Among other notable wins, Sara Hussein Al Armouti of Jordan partnered Gladiator-P to claim the CSI2* Sharjah Equine Hospital Cup (135cm) event with 27.05s, while the UAE’s Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi and his partner Diamond Way claimed a double on the overall programme winning the CSI2* Cavalor One Round Against The Clock (140cm) and the CSI2* Sharjah Equine Hospital Challenge (140cm) with times of 57.75s and 61.59s respectively.