In RIyadh, Saudi Arabia some of the best riders gathered to compete at Jump Saudi where a CSI5*-W competition is set up. On Friday, the main class was the CSI5*-W FEI World Cup 1.60m Longines Ranking class, which was won by France's Simon Delestre and I Amelusina R 51.
The 1.60m high course was challenging as many riders and horses made mistakes. Victory went to Simon Delestre. The Frenchman rode I Amelusina R 51 (Dexter R, breeder: Stal Roelofs) and remained faultless throughout. Their incredibly fast time of 43.55s secured the win. Christian Ahlmann (GER) was the only other rider to stay double clear on Classic Dream (Colestus) and finished in second place. Emanuele Camilli (ITA) completed the podium on Odense Odeveld, a nine-year-old BWP gelding by Diamant de Semilly from the breeding of Caroline De Laet.
The top five was rounded out by Mouda Zeyada (EGY) and If Looks Could Kill O.H. (Q. Breitling LS). Abdel Saïd (BEL) had a rail in the sand in the first round with the ten-year-old mare Bonne Amie, but their sharp time allowed them to come back for the second round. The duo rectified their mistake and went clear, taking the lead. However, the last combinations proved to be the strongest and dominated the podium, ultimately leaving Saïd in fourth place.