DUBAI // Abdullah Sharbatly, Saudi Arabia's World Equestrian Games silver medallist, demonstrated his class at the Dubai Show Jumping Championship yesterday, winning the Grand Prix for the second year in a row.
Sharbatly won Dh43,000 and also claimed 20 World Cup qualification points, powering him up the Arab League standings from sixth to second. With a new total of 50 points, he is only six points behind leading rider Yahya Fahmy of Egypt.
"I won this class last year and it kicked off a great year for me," said Sharbatly, who was also part of Saudi Arabia's gold medal-winning Asian Games team last year. "I hope the same thing can happen again."
Sharbatly, riding Colombia 11, was one of only three riders to go clear in the opening round of the Grand Prix.
Germany's Lena Timm, riding Acorad 3, was clear apart from two time faults in the first round. She swept into the lead after a clear 53.53 in the second round.
Egypt's Ahmed Tolba, riding Splendor, jumped in front of her when he rode a clear 49.12 and Sharbatly, the last into the ring, rode a clear 49.03 to take the prize. Tolba took second and Timm third.
"I was riding my third horse … because my first horse is being rested and my second horse was hurt in the lorry and now needs two months off," Sharbatly said.
"So this is a result that I am very pleased to take. I think I will be able to qualify for the World Cup after this and there are still three more qualification shows to go."
The Arab League moves on to Abu Dhabi next weekend before travelling to Sharjah and finally Al Ain in February.
Four UAE riders also earned qualification points, with Ahmed al Junaibi and Picobello Wodiena, a combination that qualified for the World Cup two years ago, finishing fourth and picking up Dh20,000 and 15 points. The UAE's Mohammed al Hajri and Shakira 94, Arif Ahmed and Randor K, and Omar Khoori and Melodie de Lean also finished in the money and in the World Cup points.
"I think it will be quite hard to qualify," said al Junaibi.
Horse travel to other Arab League events around the Gulf has been limited this season because of a virus.
The third-placed Timm, who rides at Sheikha Maitha al Maktoum's Zabeel Stables, said her finish was yet to sink in.
"Honestly, I can't believe it," said the German rider who is in her third season in Dubai.
"I have been jumping green horses over smaller fences so to me the 1.60 metre-high obstacles looked pretty big.
"I just took it steady and trusted in the horse."
