21 January 2024

Under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the winners’ enclosure has an international feel at 11th edition of the FBMA International Show Jumping Cup

21 January 2024

Under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the winners’ enclosure has an international feel at 11th edition of the FBMA International Show Jumping Cup

21 January, 2024, Abu Dhabi, UAE: 

Under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak the annual FBMA International Show Jumping Cup continued on Saturday with a wide international spread of winners showcasing the strong global field.

Now in its 11th edition, the event will see 233 of the planet’s best riders compete this week in one of showjumping’s showpiece occasions, held this year at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club.

The event will feature more than 300 horses competing across 19 classes in 6 different categories. A total prize fund of AED 700,000 will be on offer. The UAE is well represented with 97 riders, 44 male and 53 female. 

The categories include: CSICH-A, CSIJ-A, CSIY-A,* Nationals Special, CSIYH1* and the main showpiece CSIL2*. 

An incredible 39 countries are represented at the event, an increase of five from last year’s edition, offering a special platform for local and international riders and showjumpers.

Closing out Saturday’s action was a thrilling competition in the CSIL2* Six Bars category which saw three riders take home 5,200 Euros – the biggest prize of the day. Germany’s Sophie Hinners on HELWELL DU CHABUS, Ukraine’s Alisa Danilovaon COSSINELLE, and Celine Schoonbroodt-De Azevedo from Belgium on board PANDORA BOY Z outlasted a 15-strong field over five rounds to take the prizes.

Great Britain’s Eve McCoy led the way in the CSIL2* Accumulator on her mount COCKTAIL D' AZUR. She finished more than three seconds ahead of the field, with the UAE’s Maryam Ahmed Abdulmalik Ahli second on DON JUAN 111 Z in second, and McCoy’s compatriot Harley Jade North Bryan third on CASALL LADY Z.

Speaking after her win, McCoy said: “I'm thrilled to have won the 120 accumulators for the second time in a row. I'm incredibly grateful for my amazing horse and for the opportunity to be part of this outstanding show.”

There was local success in the CSIY-A One Round Against the Clock with UAE cousins Mohamed Hamad Ali Al Kirbi and Abdalla Hamad Ali Al Kirbi placing first and third respectively in the CSIY-A One Round Against the Clock. Mohamed, on board PANDORA, finishing an astonishing five seconds ahead of the field in 60.18 seconds. Syria’s Boushra Al Assad was second on CENTO DU ROUET, edging out Abdalla, riding EDELWEISS DE GROOM, by 0.12 seconds. 

It has been a successful week for Syrian riders, and Layth Ghurayeb added to that in the CSIJ-A One Round with Jump Off with a standout performance on EDELWEIS DU MAUPRIX to lead a strong 31-rider field. UAE riders made up the second and third places thanks to Abdalla Omran Alowais on CODE OF HONOUR, and Mohammad Saeed Al Ghurair on IKAROS.

Rounding out the international flavour of the day’s winners, Canada’s Setareh Joanne Sadeghi took top spot in the CSICh-AOne Round with Jump Off (238-2.2). She rode ALESI to victory, leaving local rider Saleh Mufrrej Ali Mohamed Alkarbi in second place on ESPRESSO, and Egypt’s Malak Mohamed Hassan Tawfik Eid in third on board LBRIOLITA-W.

Sunday marks the final day of competition.