Showjumping: Emirati riders dominate first day of Al Shira’aa International Horse Show

Abdulrahman Ahmed Ameen, 19, rides flawless round on Corando 11 to take fourth competition for young riders

Abdulrahman Ahmed Ameen, aboard Corando, won of the Young Riders Class. BrandinfinitiOman

Emirati riders bagged four of the five prizes on the opening day of the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show at the Al Forsan International Sports Resorts in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Abdulrahman Ahmed Ameen, 19, rode a flawless round on the 15-year-old bay gelding Corando 11 to take the fourth competition for young riders.
Ali Ahmed Al Kirbi, Eisa Omran Al Owais and Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri were the other winners on the day.

“It was a good start to the year for me, and I’m already looking forward to the Grand Prix for Young Riders on Friday,” the Emirati said.

“I have been riding this horse for the last two years since it was bought by the Al Shira’aa Stables, for whom I’m very thankful for providing me with this opportunity.

“The two years I have spent riding the horse is long enough to build a decent partnership and win more competitions, hopefully.”

______________

Read more

UAE confident of strong showing at Al Shira’aa International Horse Show

Equestrian athlete Zara Tindall on inspiring women and horses in her life

UAE have high hopes for success at the FEI Nations Cup in Barcelona

_____________

Ameen has been riding horses since the age of eight, which is not surprising as his father, Ahmed Ameen, represented the UAE in showjumping.

“He encouraged me and my passion for riding came naturally,” said Ameen, who said he had long-term ambitions of representing the country at the world stage.

“For now, I want to just concentrate on my own development and the competitions in 2018. After the Al Shira’aa I’ll be competing in another competition in Dubai.”

Al Kirbi rode Uxmal d'Ysieux to win the second competition from compatriots Omar Abdulaziz Marzooqi on Brazoria de Semilly and Sultan Fadel Al Kaab atop Inka’s Girl.

Al Owais won the next astride Avelon, and Al Jahouri took the fifth competition onboard Kalyso de Bois.

Al Jahouri is an established endurance race rider and looks to have taken to showjumping well.

He completed the round without any faults, clocking 62.48 seconds to clinch the winner’s prize from Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi on Pogba (63.43) and Jordanian Ahmed Mansour atop Estoril de Vardag (63.74).

Shane Breen of Ireland set the tone for the event on Wednesday when he won the first competition with a clear round by clocking 56.60 seconds atop seven-year-old chestnut mare Z Seven Canya Dance.

Hadi Nizam of Syria, aboard Galita O, was runner up ahead of Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum, who was atop Bsharah, in the young horses’ category.