PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE and Sheikh Ali Abdulla Al Qassimi was repaid in full for staying patient as he landed a first trophy in nearly three years when winning the Table A Grand Prix at the CSI* Al Bahia International Showjumping Championship at Abu Dhabi. Al Qassimi had last won a Table C level event at a CSI** competition in Dubai in January 2019, but he had continued to work hard thereafter with numerous close calls.
And his efforts finally bore fruit in early December in the UAE capital when joining forces with his long term competition partner Cacharel, leaping to victory in the showpiece finale, the Grand Prix. Over 100 male and female riders representing Britain, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Syria, Belgium, Sudan and Russia participated in the championships that were held as part of the UAE’s 50th National Day celebrations.
The Grand Prix itself featured a total of 34 competitors, with the height of the obstacles set to a maximum of 130cm. And Al Qassimi was one three Emiratis in a group of four that rode the first round without any fault and moved to the second round of the Grand Prix. In the second round Al Qassimi clocked 30.65s on the 14yo Cacharel, the pair over three seconds quicker than Firas Hamama and his riding partner Lord Muck, who represented Syria.
They also rode without fault and were timed at 33.98s, while the UAE’s Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri, on Snapp Jack, though quicker with 31.25s on the clock, was forced into third as a result of riding with a penalty. Fourth place was also snapped up by Emirati representatives Mohammed Omran Al Owais and his ride Caravelli, who were timed at 32.14s, but were denied a podium spot on account of a penalty.
Seasoned Syrian rider Shady Ghrayeb claimed a first and third in the CSI Young Horse 1* class. He won with a time of 40.46s when riding Elite De Ponts and finished third on the back of Favorite De Grandry with 50.21s on the clock after numerous penalties. Sandwiched in between was Sheikh Ali Jamal Nasr Al Nuaimi, who clocked 48.50s on Joep V D Elsakker with a penalty.
Within the CSI Young Horse category was the Two Phases event, which was also won by Ghrayeb and Elite De Ponts, who narrowly edged out Emirati rider Mohammed Hasan Al Masawi and his ride Kirsina, clocking 29.39s compared to the 29.89s time of the latter pair. Hisham Ghrayeb on Johnny Bravo was third with a time of 33.64s.
Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Abdulaziz Al Marzouqi said: “We are very happy at Al Bahia Equestrian Club to organise and hold the first international showjumping championship in the club, at a time which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the UAE federation, a precious and dear occasion for the people of the Emirates and its residents.”
