British team wins Sharjah Cup for Show Jumping

Distinguished official attendance
The Nations Cup competition was attended by Sheikh Abdullah bin Majid Al Qasimi, President of the Sharjah Equestrian Club and the tournament, Dr. Ghanem Mohammed Al Hajri, Secretary-General of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, Patrick Aoun, Regional Director of Longines, and Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahyai, Director General of the club and tournament.

Seven competing tams
Seven teams competed for the cup, with the British team winning with a total of 5 penalty points over two rounds (4 + 1). The UAE team followed with 8 penalty points (4 + 4), and the Belgian team finished third with 16 penalty points (12 + 4).

UAE team composition
The UAE team included riders: Abdullah Mohammed Al Marri with the horse "PBS MacGregor" (13 years), Omar Abdulaziz Al Marzouqi with "Chacco Bay" (11 years), Hamid Abdullah Al Mehairi with "Vonsty vd Heivink" (11 years), all from the Al Shiraa stables, and rider Abdullah Hamid Al Mehairi with his horse "Shakolo" (16 years).

Sharjah Nations Cup
The Sharjah Nations Cup is the first of three international championships, initiated under the generous guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in support of equestrian activities. This initiative is realized by the management of the Sharjah Equestrian Club, led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Majid Al Qasimi.

Strong support for UAE Show Jumping Team
Since the first edition of the Sharjah Nations Cup, it has served as a strong support for the UAE show jumping team, which has become one of the top contenders in international competitions. This is due to the directives of Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Al Nahyan, owner and founder of Al Shiraa Stables, who supports the UAE riders and ensures they have high-capacity horses for confident performances in jumping arenas.

Heavyweight competition
In a heavyweight competition of the one-round format with a jump-off, part of the four-star category, held on outdoor ground with obstacles up to 150 cm, the Sharjah Sports Council Cup offered a prize of 56,800 euros. Out of 29 riders, 6 advanced to the jump-off, where Abdullah Mohammed Al Marri from the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club won first place with his horse "James vd Weud," finishing the jump-off without faults in 42.13 seconds. The second place went to Irish rider Shane with "Scartin" in a time of 39.71 seconds with 4 penalty points, while Belgian rider Constant Paschen took third place with "Zahara," finishing the jump-off in 41.42 seconds with 4 penalty points.

UAE Equestrian Federation Cup
The final day of the tournament also featured the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation Cup, designed with a one-round format and a jump-off, featuring obstacles at 145 cm. A total of 42 riders participated, with 4 advancing to the jump-off. Swedish rider Antonia Peterson won first place with "Cartoon Van" in 39.21 seconds, while young rider Ali Hamad Al Karbi from the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club secured second place with "C Jocks Z" in 40.10 seconds. Syrian rider Mohammed Fadi Al Zubiabi took third place with "Shakento Bello PS" in 42.50 seconds.

One-Star International Championship
The one-star international championship concluded on the indoor arena, sponsored by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. The course featured obstacles at 135 cm, with 52 riders participating. Out of them, 10 advanced to the jump-off, with 4 completing it without faults. The first to finish was Omar Abdulaziz Al Marzouqi from the Sharjah Equestrian Club with "Hotissi du Maziau" in 43.29 seconds, followed by young Syrian rider Laith Gharib with "Favorite du Grand" in 43.62 seconds, and Canadian rider Faris Azouni with "Aime Special" in 44.64 seconds.

Final day competitions
The first competition of the final day took place in the indoor arena with the two-phase format at a height of 120 cm, featuring 99 riders. Twenty-two riders completed the two phases without faults, led by Greek rider Dimitri Natsis with "Nerosa" in 25.73 seconds for the second phase. Second place went to young rider Mabkhout Owaida Al Karbi from the Sharjah Equestrian Club with "Hollywood" in 27.14 seconds, while third place was awarded to Palestinian rider Omar Ayman with "CSF Day Dreamer," finishing the second phase in 28.29 seconds.

Age group finals
UAE riders continued their dominance in the age group finals for the regional group seven qualifiers of the International Equestrian Federation. Sif Owaida Al Karbi from the Sharjah Equestrian Club achieved victory with his horse "Dinky Toy Z" in the youth category, sponsored by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. The competition was a one-round format with a jump-off, featuring obstacles up to 135 cm. Eleven riders participated, with 6 advancing to the jump-off, and 3 completing it without faults. Sif Owaida finished the jump-off in 35.02 seconds, followed by Abdullah Hamad Al Karbi with "Machou PH" in 35.14 seconds, and Canadian rider Faris Azouni with "Edgar" in 36.84 seconds.

Hamed Sultan Al Yahyai adds another win for UAE riders
Emirati rider Hamed Sultan Al Yahyai secured another victory for UAE riders in the one-star international championship in a two-phase competition sponsored by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The course featured obstacles at 130 cm, with 62 riders participating. Seventeen riders completed both phases without faults, with Hamed Al Yahyai and "Good Luck" finishing the second phase in 23.11 seconds. Greek rider Dimitri Natsis took second place with "Hidalgo vh Niro" in 23.71 seconds, while Omar Abdulaziz Al Marzouqi won third place with "Match Me," finishing the second phase in 24.58 seconds.