On Friday evening in Sharjah, a CSI5* 1.50m class served as an early qualifier for the Grand Prix. In the speed competition, pace proved decisive, while a faultless round was essential to stay in contention for victory.
The win went to Michael Pender with HHS Los Angeles (Le Roi), who delivered a clear round and stopped the clock at the fastest time of 64.20 seconds. Henrik von Eckermann followed in second place with Calizi (Cellestial) in 64.52 seconds, while Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi completed the podium aboard Chacco Bay (Chaccato) after finishing in 66.15 seconds.
Just outside the podium, Belgium secured a strong result thanks to Constant van Paesschen. Riding Diaz du Thot (Ready Boy des Forets 'hn'), he produced a faultless round in 67.07 seconds, good for fourth place.
The top five was rounded out by Saeed Moh’D Al Maazmi with the BWP gelding Passion vd Donkhoeve (Kashmir van Schuttershof), who also jumped clear and crossed the finish in 67.26 seconds.
