Abdullah Alsharbatly took his new team member, Fiumicino van de Kalevallei for a ride in the CSI3*-W competition of Al Ain in the United Arabian Emirates. But the twelve years old gelding wasn't the only one performing well under Alsharbatly in this Longines Ranking class, also counting as a qualifier for the Grand Prix.
With Fiumicino, a gelding by Plot Blue and former Grand Prix-horse of the Netherlands' Jur Vrieling, the rider of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the best in the CSI3*-W 1.45m class. The pair kept clear of all wood and finished with a time of 66,74s. The second best time also come into the name of Alsharbatly, who rode Kriskras DV (Cooper van de Heffinck, breeder: Stal Devos) over the finish line in 70,84s. Salim Khalis Al Suwaidi (UAE) scored third place with Zadora (Zavall VDL, breeder:P. & A.M. Rinkes-Tjeenk Willink).
“It was great taking this victory", said Alsharbatly. "It was the first time for me to ride Fiumicino, I never even was in his saddle before. We immediately won the Ranking class which was also the qualifier for the Grand Prix, in which I also became second with Kriskras. It was a fantastic day and a great victory to come in first and second place in such a big class. The horses both went really fast."
“It’s amazing how it all turned out. I’m really happy with this fantastic team of horses. Their condition and our management is simply amazing, thanks to the great team around me.”
Fourth place went to Germany as Sophie Hinners steered Kanturo BH (Canturano I, breeder: Black Horses) through the course without a fault. The top five was concluded by Abdullah Mohd Al Marri (UAE) and BBS McGregor (VDL Cardento, breeder: Marguerite Ryan).
F. ©: Indoor Wierden - Abdullah Alsharbatly and Kriskras DV