Today's Edition
Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)
Ireland’s Michael Pender dazzled in the CSI4*-W race for sporting horses in the Costume Class on Day 3 of Al Shira’aa Show, winning with a lightning-fast time of 71.69 seconds on HHS Fortune, dressed as a Leprechaun. Riders captivated the audience with their speed and imagination, donning spectacular costumes, from Darth Vader to Winnie the Pooh and everything in between.
Constant van Paesschen, as Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, riding Mixcoac LS La Silla, sped into second place in 72.14 seconds. The third spot went to a zombified Shady Ghrayeb from Syria, riding Caberbet du Mars clear in 73.70 seconds.
Pender made up for the disappointment of missing out on Saturday’s main CSI4* event when he came second after home favourite Omar Al Marzouqi gave Emirati fans much reason to celebrate by overtaking him. Riding Chacco Bay, owned by Al Shira’aa Stables, the pair had an incredible round to finish in a time of 28.02 seconds.
Pender, riding HHS Cyprus, gave it his all and looked as though he’d take the lead, but finished just behind in 28.22 seconds. British rider Joe Stockdale who had initially taken an early lead on Ebanking, finished in third place on 28.91 seconds.
There were no red flags though on Sunday for Pender, dressed in green, as he claimed the honours on the penultimate day of the second week of the competition.
Special mentions went to Nina Barbour, for her Seaworld-inspired outfit, and Mohammed Al Hajri, who rode in traditional Arabic dress accompanied by a falcon.
Earlier in the day, the action began with the CSI2* 1.25m Accumulator.
Syrian rider Mohammed Al Zabibi clinched victory with a perfect score of 65 points in 51.87 seconds aboard Miss Dita WS. Helen Marie Waller and her mount Be Kalvara jumped into second place on 65 points in 52.56 seconds. Rounding up the top three, American rider Talya Mounajed stopped the clock at 52.78 seconds, also with 65 points.
The CSI2* Grand Prix 1.45m Jump-Off, which saw 44 starters, came to a nail-biting two-horse finish with Nadia Taryam emerging victorious in 41.92 seconds on Gabrielle Sol’heure. Shane Breen jumped in a faster time of 40.54 seconds, but an unfortunate pole down meant the Irishman had to settle for second place.
