Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt and Belo Horizonte landed the Euro 93,000 five-star Longines Grand Prix Qualifier on the first day of the President of the UAE Showjumping Cup presented by Longines at Al Forsan International Sports Resort on Wednesday.
Weishaupt was more than a second faster than his nearest rival, Shane Breen on Ipswich van de Wolksakker, yet still believed he could have gone faster.
Fourth to go in the jump off, Weishaupt stormed into the lead in 40.92sec, overtaking the previous leader, Ibrahim Hani Bisharat from Jordan who had completed the round in 42.33sec. But the German rider knew that last-to-go Breen, rider for Dubai-based Team Z7, would be hot on his heels.
“On the approach to the final fence we just drifted a bit in the wrong direction and I thought that Shane could be dangerous there,” he said. “But Shane’s horse stumbled a little on the last turn which was good for me.”
Weishaupt will now rest Belo Horizonte for two days until the 150cm Al Shira’aa Challenge on Saturday.
“He is such an exciting horse to ride,” said Weishaupt. “He is fast and so careful that it’s so much fun to put him at the fences and know that he knows exactly where the poles are.”
Weishaupt will also be in action with the German team in the Euro 200,000 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup on Saturday.
“I think we have a good chance,” he said. “I will ride a younger less experienced horse so it will be very interesting.”
Held under the supervision of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation (UAEERF), the first day of the event featured four classes and proved a happy hunting ground for Saudi Arabia. Olympic medalist, Abdullah Sharbatly rode to victory the UAE Equestrian Federation Speed Stakes on Artuur JH Z in a time of 81.96sec. In the process he beat Syria’s Ahmed Saber Hamcho on Quintus and Team UAE Nation’s Cup rider, Nadia Taryam on Askaria.
The second class of the day, the Abu Dhabi Classic Qualifier saw twenty-two horse and rider combinations go into the jump off but it was another young Saudi, Khalid Almobty who proved too fast for the rest on his new mare, Garizona, completing the jump off course in 38.20sec.
Second place went to Ibrahim Hani Bisharat of Jordan on Astuce du Cellier La in a time of 39.22sec and third was Kotayba AlDughly on Queensland E in 39.59sec.
Almobty, who at just 20 years old is already a veteran of six Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Finals, said he would be back in the arena for the UAE qualifying leg Saturday when he would be riding Grand Prix horse, Dona Evita.
“Our goal is to qualify here for the Nations Cup Final in October but also to aim for Olympic qualification a week later in Morocco so we have a big few months coming up,” he said. Almobty was also full of praise for his horse. “I am so pleased with this horse. It was her first 140cm class and she won,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Iran’s Asian Games rider, Farhang Sedeghi won the opening Special Olympics Cup on his gelding, W Piccolini, beating Great Britain’s Team Z7 rider, Georgia Tame and Z7 Canya Dance into second place with the UAE’s Humaid Abdullah Khalifa Al Muhairi on Corando in third. Sadeghi’s clear round stopped the clock at 59.97sec, squeaking into first place ahead of Tame, who recorded a time of 60.07sec and Al Muhairi who managed 60.98sec.
Sedeghi has had a successful winter on the Emirates Longines Showumping League, claiming a victory at every event apart from last month’s Al Shira’aa International Horse Show, which was held at the same venue.
“I was disappointed that I didn’t win at [event venue] Al Forsan last time so this makes up for it,” he said after receiving his trophy in the 1m30cm class. “I told myself last night that I had to win this class and I’m glad it came true.”
Sadeghi, a familiar face on the UAE circuit, recorded a top 14 finish in the individual event at the Asian Games in Jakarta last August and will be back in President’s Cup action on day.
“I have had my horse, Piccolini for three years now and he is great. He’s a very fast and careful horse and I hope we can have more success together this week.”
Image Credit: Tara Hamilton
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