Dubai: The Gulf News Dubai Cup headlined the second day of the Dubai Show Jumping Championship 2012 and Abdullah Al Sharbatly turned in another masterful performance for his second win in as many days.
The Gulf News Dubai Cup, with prize money of Dh120,000, served as the qualifier for today's prestigious Dh170,000 Dubai Equestrian Club Grand Prix FEI World Cup.
The top 25 Arab League riders, from the 64 that competed, will now vie for the contest, scheduled for 3pm.
Al Sharbatly, from Saudi Arabia, claimed Dh120,000 for winning the qualifying contest, meaning he will head the 25 finalists going into today's big event.
A silver medal winner at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games Show Jumping in Lexington, Kentucky, the 29-year-old had also won the opening day's Emirates Airline Two Phases.
His victory in the Gulf News Dubai Cup was by the slimmest of margins as he guided Larkhill Cruiser to a time of 70.82 seconds, with no faults, to beat Germany's Joerg Naeve, who finished in 70.98s aboard Coolidge, also with no faults. Naeve had finished third to Al Sharbatly in the opening day competition.
UAE's Mohammad Al Owais aboard Saydoon Van De Haaipandar finished third in a time of 76.19s.
The schedule for today's three classes will be the Dh80,000 Longines Accumulator at 12pm, the Dubai Equestrian Club Grand Prix FEI World Cup at 3pm, and the Dh20,000 Emirates Airline Trophy from 6.15 pm. Gates Open at 11am and entry is free. For more information log on to www:emiratesequestriancentre.com
Organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club, part of the Meydan Group, the event, held at the Dubai International Endurance City, is sponsored by Emirates, Longines, Gulf News, and Al Mubdee Scaffolding.
Results
Al Sharbatly leads the pack
Place, First Name, Family name, Horse Name, Nat, Prize
1 Abdullah Al Sharbatly, Larkhill Cruiser (KSA) 70.82s (0 faults) Dh30,000
2 Joerg Naeve, Coolidge (GER) 70.98s (0) Dh24,000
3 Mohammad A. Al Owais, Saydoon Van De Haaipandar (UAE) 76.19s (0) Dh18,000
4 Khalid Al Eid, Vanhoeve (KSA) 76.72s (0) Dh12,000
5 Marion Hughes, Heritage HHS Fortuna (IRL) 76.83s (0) Dh8,400
6 Joerg Naeve, Calado (GER) 80.15s (0) Dh6,600
7 Nael Nassar, Raging Bull Vangelis (EGY) 80.74s (0) Dh4,800
8 Nadia Abdul Aziz, Taryam Larina114 (UAE) 80.94s (0) Dh3,600
9 Latifa Ahmad Al Maktoum, Peanuts De Beaufour (UAE) 86.12s (0) Dh3,600
10 Nael Nassar, Lordan (EGY) 86.92s (0) Dh3,000
