Dubai: The UAE’s Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi said he has set his sights on the 2018 World Equestrian Games after capturing a prestigious bronze medal in the HH Ruler of Sharjah Cup Show Jumping Championships, presented by Longines, on Saturday.
Competing in the CSI5*-W event, a qualifier for the FEI World Cup, Al Muhairi produced two high quality rounds of jumping which was only bettered by the winner, two-time Olympian Henrik von Eckermann from Sweden and runner-up Emanuele Gaudiano, an Italian rider who is based in Germany.
The top eight riders in the competition delivered flawless rounds but Al Muhairi’s hopes of finishing higher were dashed when his trusted horse, the 13-year-old Cha Cha Cha faltered approaching the final fence and cost his rider valuable seconds on the clock.
Al Muhairi was placed a close second behind Von Eckermann after clocking an impressive 71.15 seconds for the first round before the setback during the second round which resulted in him clocked 45.64s, a time that dropped him to third place overall.
Despite the disappointment, Al Muhairi was happy to look forward and said: “Overall I’m very pleased with how I performance in the face of very strong competition from some of the best riders around the world.
“I think it bodes well for the future and I believe I can win a medal for the UAE at the World Equestrian Games in North Carolina, USA (Sept 11-23). I have the confidence to say that as I have been steadily improving and my performance in the HH Ruler of Sharjah Cup is a clear indicator that I’m heading in the right direction,” he added.
“I have all the support I need, especially from His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi (Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah), whose horse, Cha Cha Cha, I have been privileged to ride at this event.
“Perhaps, if you ask me, I need another horse as well in order to pursue my dream, In this sport you need more than one good horse and I believe that can make all the difference.
“But it is my ambition to do well in this sport where my ultimate goal is to win an Olympic medal,” said Al Muhairi, who the Nation’s Cup in Barcelona in September last year as a member of the UAE team.
“However, we must take it one step at a time as it a long hard ahead,” added the Ajman-born rider.
“My next target is the Nation’s Cup at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (Feb 14-17). We have a very good team which features Shaikha Latifa Bint Ahmad, Shaikh Majid Al Qasimi, Mohammad Al Kumeiti and Abdullah Al Marri. We’re hopeful of a strong performance and securing a good result for the UAE.”
Meanwhile, Von Eckermann, executed two scintillating rounds aboard his 11-year-old bay horse Chacanno to bag the first place and a winner’s purse of €47.850.
The experience Swedish rider has competed at two Summer Olympic Games at London 2012 and Rio 2016. He has also participated the 2015 World Equestrian Games and at four European Show Jumping Championships.
Mohammad Ahmad Al Owais also delivered a fine performance in the CSI5*-W Jump-Off to finish third behind Norway’s Cecilie Hatteland and Swede Evelina Tovek.
