AL AIN 2 January 2019: Under the supervision of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation (UAEERF), the CSI3*W Al Ain International Show Jumping Championship World Cup Qualifier concluded on Saturday.
The championship took place from December 27 – 29 at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.
Latvian rider Kristaps Neretnieks on his horse, ‘Moon Ray’, took home the cup in the final Grand Prix competition jumping heights between 145 and 160 cm, which is the highest in terms of international competition standards. The championship – which had a prize of Dh300,000 – included 28 riders, who qualified during the second day of the championship (Friday), eight of which moved to the second round with a clean score and no penalties, and two riders who were able to complete the course with a clear round.
Kristaps was able to finish the second round in 46.63 seconds; while Saudi rider Khaled Abdulrahman Almobty with his horse, ‘Dona Evita’, completed the round in 47.85 seconds and won the second place, as well as scoring the highest score amongst Arab riders in the qualifying round for the Show Jumping World Cup in 2019. The third place went to French rider David Frederic with his horse, ‘Equador Van’t Roosakker’, finishing in 52.20 seconds with one penalty point for exceeding the time limit; while Emirati rider Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum came in fourth with her horse ‘Cobalt’.
