Syrian rider Zabibi stars in Al Shira’aa International Horse Show opener

The Al Shira’aa International Horse Show officially opened on Wednesday at Al Forsan International Sports Resort, marking the start of the event’s 9th edition and the beginning of five days of international world-class competition in the UAE capital.

Competition got underway in Arena Two with the opening class of the CSI2* Bronze Tour, as 66 riders contested the 1.20m Two-Phase Special, presented by SMRM Team.

Seventeen riders jumped clear in the first phase, with the UAE’s Saif Owaida Mohammed Alkirbi claiming victory aboard Number 5 P, owned by Mansi Gupta, after a quick clear round in 25.27 seconds. Layth Ghrayeb of Syria followed in second place riding his father’s Elite de Ponts, while the UAE’s Omar Abdulla Hadi Ahmed Alhussaini took third place on his own Haarlem Garette, setting the tone for a competitive week ahead.

Attention then turned to the CSIYH1* classes, presented by K.AR Sport Horses, with both the 6-year-old and 7-year-old divisions taking centre stage. In the 6-year-old class, Syrian rider Osama Al Zabibi impressed aboard Tabaluga BL to take the win, while Saif Owaida Mohammed Alkirbi claimed second place – and his second podium spot of the day – riding Pink Floyd V&V. Salim Khamis Al Suwaidi and Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club’s Doubel Ble completed the podium in third place.

The 7-year-old class followed shortly after, where Great Britain’s Alexander McLean delivered a confident round on Opportunity, owned by Breen Equestrian, to clinch the win. Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi took second place on Celina 235, with Al Shira’aa Stables’ Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi and Errill Z finishing in third.

The programme continued in Arena Two with the CSI2* Silver Tour 1.30m, sponsored by long-term partner Bolesworth, which attracted 45 starters. Topping the field was the UAE’s Salim Ahmed Al Suwadi riding Annie S of the Lowlands Z for Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club, improving on his second-place finish earlier in the day. Syria’s Shady Ghrayeb jumped Chapeau TN into second place, while Farhang Sadeghi of Iran and Gazaro VDL followed in third.

Back in Arena One, the CSI2* Gold Tour 1.40m, presented by SMRM Team, saw 46 riders vying for a spot in Saturday’s CSI2* Grand Prix, with the top 28 combinations qualifying.

Riding for Syria, Osama Al Zabibi secured top honours aboard 1st Queen for owner Nawader Omar Saeed Alnabooda. Abdalla Hamad Ali Al Kirbi of the UAE jumped NN Contre Attack MQ into second place, while fellow Emirati Mohammed Ghanem Al Hajri finished third riding Lelielounka STW.

As the evening session got underway, the spotlight shifted to the CSI Under 25 Series, supported by the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, where emerging talent continued to impress in the 1.35m Two-Phase Special. 20-year-old Emirati Abdalla Hamad Ali Al Kirbi took victory aboard Georgina Z, owned by Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club, with Eman Al Saffar, also from the UAE, on Jade HPE and Uzbekistan’s Akbar Sharipov riding Affir rounding out the results and bringing the opening day of competition to a close.

The Al Shira’aa International Horse Show continues until 25 January with a packed sporting schedule across both arenas, building towards the €320,000 Al Shira’aa Longines CSI4*-W Diamond Tour FEI World Cup Grand Prix on Sunday evening. The weekend programme will also feature live entertainment in the main arena, adding to the atmosphere as elite sport and spectator experience come together at Al Forsan International Sports Resort.