In mid-October it was announced that the 12-year-old mare Dubai du Cedre (by Baloubet du Rouet) had been sold. At the time, we reported that top Saudi show jumper Abdullah Al-Sharbatly had become the new rider of the chestnut mare who won team bronze with Julien Epaillard at the 2023 European Championships in Milan. The pair have now completed their first competition together.
Earlier this year the mare was still celebrating successes with Epaillard. In September 2024 she was purchased by Deborah Mayer – sponsor of the Iron Dames Team – and shortly afterwards made available to German show jumper Janne-Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann. Now Dubai du Cedre has moved to Al-Sharbatly and competes under the new show name Diriyah, named after the historic city on the northwestern outskirts of Riyadh.
Strong international debut in Riyadh
Last weekend Abdullah Al-Sharbatly and Diriyah made their international debut at the show in Riyadh. On Thursday evening they started in the 1.45 m two-phase class and finished ninth after a rail in the second phase. The following evening (Friday), however, the pair was unbeatable: they won the 1.45 m speed class convincingly.
