Abu dhabi: Four riders, four determined performances and just one fence down apiece saw the UAE Show Jumping Team deliver a consistent second day at the FEI Jumping World Championship Aachen 2026 on Thursday. With the pressure rising inside Aachen's famous Main Stadium, German course designer Frank Rothenberger presented the world's best with a technical track built to a maximum height of 1.65m, featuring 13 fences and 16 jumping efforts, where accuracy, power and concentration were required from the first fence to the last.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Longines FEI Rising Star of 2024, 23-year-old Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi was first into the arena for the UAE with Enjoy de la Mure, returning after a superb clear in Wednesday's opening Speed Competition had left the pair sitting 10th individually overnight. An early rail put four faults on the scoreboard, but Omar and Enjoy responded immediately, producing a composed performance over the remainder of the championship track. Omar expressed satisfaction with Enjoy's performance, attributing his motivation to the presence of his family.
Sheikha Latifah bint Ahmed bin Juma Al Maktoum and Cornet XL followed with another four-fault performance. The experienced Emirati rider, who represented the UAE as an individual at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, produced an assured round aboard the 10-year-old Coronet XL, with a single mistake the only blemish on their scorecard. Sheikha Latifah expressed gratitude for riding Coronet XL and noted a momentary loss of balance that led to the fault.
Making his first appearance at an FEI Jumping World Championship, Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi responded strongly to a difficult opening day with Foncetti vd Heffinck. The pair lowered just one fence to add another four-fault score for the UAE. Humaid expressed happiness to be competing in Aachen for the first time and showed appreciation for the support he received.
The final UAE combination, Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi and Flonflon, completed the quartet of four-fault performances. After an early fence fell, Salim regrouped and Flonflon answered every question that followed, with the pair completing the remainder of Rothenberger's imposing track without further jumping faults. Salim viewed the performance as a positive step at his first World Championship, describing the Aachen course as the toughest he had faced.
With all four combinations home, the UAE concluded its team campaign in 19th place. For Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi and Enjoy de la Mure, the individual World Championship campaign continues after the pair secured their place in Friday night's Second Individual Qualifier. Following a clear opening round and four faults over Thursday's demanding 1.65m track, the combination will return to Aachen's Main Stadium as they continue their bid for a place in Sunday's Individual Final.