This week, the pace is also picking up in Athens, Greece. The EEF Nations Cup is on the agenda there, which will be contested on Sunday by teams from Greece, Romania, Italy, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. On Friday, Abdullah Alsharbatly claimed the CSIO3*-W World Cup Grand Prix title riding Fiumicino van de Kalevallei.
Alsharbatly, riding the offspring of Geert De Sloover, was one of the three finalists in the jump-off for this competition, which counted towards both the Longines Ranking and the Olympic Games. Fiumicino, known from his time under Jur Vrieling for nearly seven years, was the only one to avoid knocking down any rails, securing the top prize for his Saudi rider.
Reflecting on the first round, Alsharbatly noted that the course was particularly challenging. "It was a very big course. It was not only a World Cup qualification but also a World Championship and Olympic qualification! The standard was very high; they couldn’t go lower in a class like this. The course was very big, with only three clear rounds. It was difficult and big!"
In the challenging jump-off, Alsharbatly noted, "The jump-off was also very big and not easy at all. But it was to my benefit that it was built that big and difficult, I guess.” Being the only clear round, he observed the other combinations and saw that both had a rail down. "I knew I didn’t have to take that much of a risk by going fast. I went fast enough, but safe. Why would I gallop my horse, knowing he can get a clear round, if not necessary? The weather is very hot, so the horses all feel a bit tired. I think that’s why there weren’t so many clear rounds.”
Angelos Touloupis (GRE), with the 8-year-old Kannandillo (Kannan), finished six seconds faster but incurred a jumping fault, resulting in second place. Lastly, the Italian Luca Coata competed in the jump-off. He rode the Verdi TN daughter Holly del Rilate and concluded with the 9-year-old mare in third place.
Despite the difficulty, Alsharbatly trusted in his horse, Fiumicino van de Kalevallei. "I did had a lot of confidence in Fiumicino to go clear. Fiumicino has been doing really well with me, our partnership is getting better and better. He is a really great horse. We are still getting to know each other, but it feels like a good match. We feel each other really well. He’s been doing so great in the last shows. The horse is in super form and I really like him.”
Alsharbatly chose Fiumicino to help qualify for the Olympics due to time constraints from a recent injury. "I needed to qualify for the Olympics. Because I broke my collarbone, I didn’t have time to focus on my full asset of horses. My main horse for the Olympics is Alamo (Ukato), but Fiumicino definitely is on my radar as a spare, alongside Atome des Etisses (Mylord Carthago)."
Reflecting on his injury, Alsharbatly recounted breaking his collarbone 4-5 months ago. "I was out the sport for a month after that, so now I’m getting back in shape. One month after I broke it, I went back to riding, and two weeks after, I already won a 5* Grand Prix, so it wasn’t that bad after all (laughs). It was painful, but now it’s getting better.”
Abdullah Alsharbatly described his experience at the event as "amazing," highlighting the exceptional atmosphere and the impressive Olympic arena. "It’s a huge stadium, and the stables are very big. The facilities are very nice! In the qualifier yesterday, I was clear with both horses and today the Grand Prix was mine to take."
Foto©: Tomas Holcbecher
Alsharbatly, riding the offspring of Geert De Sloover, was one of the three finalists in the jump-off for this competition, which counted towards both the Longines Ranking and the Olympic Games. Fiumicino, known from his time under Jur Vrieling for nearly seven years, was the only one to avoid knocking down any rails, securing the top prize for his Saudi rider.
Reflecting on the first round, Alsharbatly noted that the course was particularly challenging. "It was a very big course. It was not only a World Cup qualification but also a World Championship and Olympic qualification! The standard was very high; they couldn’t go lower in a class like this. The course was very big, with only three clear rounds. It was difficult and big!"
In the challenging jump-off, Alsharbatly noted, "The jump-off was also very big and not easy at all. But it was to my benefit that it was built that big and difficult, I guess.” Being the only clear round, he observed the other combinations and saw that both had a rail down. "I knew I didn’t have to take that much of a risk by going fast. I went fast enough, but safe. Why would I gallop my horse, knowing he can get a clear round, if not necessary? The weather is very hot, so the horses all feel a bit tired. I think that’s why there weren’t so many clear rounds.”
Angelos Touloupis (GRE), with the 8-year-old Kannandillo (Kannan), finished six seconds faster but incurred a jumping fault, resulting in second place. Lastly, the Italian Luca Coata competed in the jump-off. He rode the Verdi TN daughter Holly del Rilate and concluded with the 9-year-old mare in third place.
Despite the difficulty, Alsharbatly trusted in his horse, Fiumicino van de Kalevallei. "I did had a lot of confidence in Fiumicino to go clear. Fiumicino has been doing really well with me, our partnership is getting better and better. He is a really great horse. We are still getting to know each other, but it feels like a good match. We feel each other really well. He’s been doing so great in the last shows. The horse is in super form and I really like him.”
Alsharbatly chose Fiumicino to help qualify for the Olympics due to time constraints from a recent injury. "I needed to qualify for the Olympics. Because I broke my collarbone, I didn’t have time to focus on my full asset of horses. My main horse for the Olympics is Alamo (Ukato), but Fiumicino definitely is on my radar as a spare, alongside Atome des Etisses (Mylord Carthago)."
Reflecting on his injury, Alsharbatly recounted breaking his collarbone 4-5 months ago. "I was out the sport for a month after that, so now I’m getting back in shape. One month after I broke it, I went back to riding, and two weeks after, I already won a 5* Grand Prix, so it wasn’t that bad after all (laughs). It was painful, but now it’s getting better.”
Abdullah Alsharbatly described his experience at the event as "amazing," highlighting the exceptional atmosphere and the impressive Olympic arena. "It’s a huge stadium, and the stables are very big. The facilities are very nice! In the qualifier yesterday, I was clear with both horses and today the Grand Prix was mine to take."
Foto©: Tomas Holcbecher