January 9th marked the start of the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show, which will span the next two weekends at the recently-renovated Abu Dhabi Equestrian Centre in the UAE. The event, which is now in its 8th season, remains a firm favourite of the Middle Eastern season, attracting top international riders and emerging local talent.
A number of Canadians participated in this event, including Hamzah Almahamid, Fares Azouni, Ella Christiani, Noor Rawji, Lea Rucker and Setareh Sadeghi. Their top-10 results included:
- CSI3* 1.20m, presented by Majestic – 6. Fares Azouni and Tourano
- CSICh-A 1.05m, presented by Mandara – 1. Hamzah Al Mahamid and Amadeus Z; 2. Star Sadegh and Alesi
- CSIU25-A 1.40m, presented by Al Shira’aa Tour – 3. Lea Rucker and Macarena 42; 5. Lea Rucker and Firefly 66
- CSI3* 1.30m, presented by Bolesworth International – 2. Fares Azouni and Tourano; 8. Lea Rucker and Barcelona
- CSICh-A 1.05m, presented by Mandara – 1. Star Sadegh and Alesi; 2. Hamzah Al Mahamid and Amadeus Z; 8. Noor Rawji and Clinturo
- CSI3* 1.35m presented by ADSC – 1. Lea Rucker and Barcelona
- CSICh-A 1.10m, presented by Mandara – 1. Star Sadegh and Alesi; 9. Hamzah Al Mahamid and Amadeus Z
- CSIU25-A, presented by Al Shira’aa Tour – 8. Lea Rucker and Macarena 42; 9. Lea Rucker and Firefly 66
- CSIU25 1.45m, presented by Presidential Court – 3. Lea Rucker and Macarena 42; 6. Lea Rucker and Firefly 66
It was a big win for Canadian rider Lea Rucker in the CSI3* Abu Dhabi Sports Council 1.35cm Speed Class. The only combination to jump a double clear, she rode her talented 12-year-old bay mare Barcelona to victory. In the CSIU25-A Presidential Court Final, Rucker clinched another podium finish, third place riding Macarena 42.
Al Shira’aa Grand Prix winner Abdullah Mohammed Al Marri and BBS McGregor. (Helen Cruden photo)
Grand Prix
The UAE’s Abdullah Mohammed Al Marri clinched the show’s biggest class of the week, the CSI3* Al Shira’aa Grand Prix presented by Longines on Al Shira’aa Stables’ BBS McGregor. Of the 49 starters, only six jumped clear in the first round to head through to the nail-biting jump-off. Last to jump, and with all preceding riders on faults, he knew a clear would guarantee the top spot. He rode a precise and steady round in 40.88s to secure the win. Joseph Stockdale from Great Britain followed with the fastest of the four-fault rounds to finish in second place with Ebanking, followed by the UAE’s Omar Abdul Aziz Almarzooqi on Chacco Bay in third spot.
“I went into the jump-off knowing that a steady clear would guarantee the win,” explained Abdullah Mohammed Al Marri. “Of course, it was a risk, but the gamble paid off. McGregor jumped his heart out, and I’m thrilled. Thank you to the Al Shira’aa Team, and especially to H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Al Nahyan for her continued support, not only of the team, but for running this incredible show.”
The show resumes on January 16th for another four days of thrilling sport, including the CSI4*-W Equitrans Two Phase, the fun CSI4*-W Mother of Nation Costume Class, and the €164,699 CSI4*-W Longines World Cup Grand Prix.
Results here.
~ with files from Hannah McCabe, Dark Horse Communications
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