Deauville: The UAE's showjumping team showcased their prowess at the CSIO3* Sotheby's International Realty Deauville, marking another milestone in their partnership with the prestigious French event.
According to Emirates News Agency, the weekend commenced with notable performances in the CSIO3* Al Shira'aa Tour Grand Prix on Saturday. Abdullah Mohd Al Marri, riding Caen, secured third place, while Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi, on Chacco Bay, finished fourth after a challenging four-fault jump-off.
The Emirati riders maintained their momentum into Sunday's CSIO3* Sotheby's International Realty Region Normandie Grand Prix. Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi and Enjoy de la Mure delivered exceptional results, achieving second place with two faultless rounds. They finished just behind France's Nina Mallevaey, ranked seventh globally, and ahead of Julien Epaillard, the world number 11. Salim Al Suwaidi and Flonflon also impressed with a clear round, securing seventh place, ensuring two Emirati combinations were in the top ten.
These performances underscore the UAE programme's progress under Chef quipe William Funnell, known for his expertise in developing Emirati riders and sourcing top-tier horses. Funnell praised the team, particularly Omar and Enjoy, highlighting their recent successes and potential move into the Top 100 Longines World Rankings, with eyes on the World Equestrian Championships.
As the UAE prepares for the FEI World Equestrian Championships in Aachen this August, the riders aim for Olympic qualification for Los Angeles 2028. Confidence is high as the team continues to challenge top names in the sport.
Before the championships, the team will compete at the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting from 18-21 June, facing world-class competitors as Al Shira'aa's influence in international showjumping grows.