LATVIAN RIDER Kristaps Neretnieks scalped the showpiece CSI5* HH Ruler of Sharjah Cup presented by Longines, a faultless ride partnering Valour bringing him the lion’s share of the whopping total purse of €150,000.

Neretnieks received a cheque for €49,500 at Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club (SERC) despite not having posted the best time after Sweden’s highly experienced Henrik von Eckermann registered four faults on the back of Glamour Girl. Neretnieks and Valour won with a time of 48.95s, while Von Eckermann and his partner went about their business at a much swifter 44.85s.

A total of 30 rider horse pairings competed in the finale, with just ten progressing to the second round. Finishing second was Irishman Jack Ryan on BBS Mcgregor, the pair committing a single fault after seeing out the course in 50.9s. Sweden’s Evelina Tovek on Winnetou De La Hamente Z was relegated to third for her two faults despite clocking a tidier 49.67s.

Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi was the best among the five Emirati riders in the fray and was placed 11th on Chacolu, having failed to make the cut for the second round. Britain’s Donald Whitaker won the CSI5* Sharjah Sport Council Cup, winning with a time of 34.46s aboard Feodina, with The Netherlands’ Bart Bles posting a close second on Kriskras DV with 35.09s on the clock.

Third placed Belgian rider Wilm Vermeir wasn’t far behind partnering Joyride S and clocked 35.55s. Saudi Arabia’s Othman Bakarman won the FEI Group VII Final Junior event (1.25m) with a time of 41.57s on Ultimo Malouin, while the UAE’s Mabkhout Owaida Al Kirbi triumphed in the FEI Group VII Final Childrens event with a time of 36.63s on Zandocan C.

Jordanian Kamal Hani Bisharat on Chatinue emerged victorious in the Sharjah Islamic Bank Cup (Puissance), with Saudi Arabian rider Ramzy Al Duhami nicking the Longines Speed Class Challenge with 57.06s on the clock with High Quality J for his partner.