Al-Duhami leads podium sweep for Saudi Arabia

Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami led a podium sweep for Saudi Arabia as the veteran rider clinched the feature class on the opening day of the HH The Emir’s Sword International Showjumping Championship.
At the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s (QEF) outdoor arena yesterday, al-Duhami with the BWP-bred Garlic van het Kapelhof under the saddle, jumped clear in 62.80 seconds to win the CSI5* 150cm event.
The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist is a regular competitor in Doha and has made a habit of winning here. Yesterday, he was at his best again to take a comfortable victory over his compatriots, and will be eyeing for a repeat in tomorrow’s Grand Prix. The 45-year-old took home €15,450 in prize money for his victory.
Saudi’s other riders Abdulrahman Alrajhi and Abdullah Alsharbatly took the second and third spots respectively. Alrajhi left the wood untouched with his trusted 15-year-old Chilli Pepper Van De Helle, but the pair were more than two seconds behind the winning time as they crossed the finish line in 64.97 seconds.
Alsharbatly made it a clean sweep for Saudi Arabia as he completed the podium with Domingo, jumping clear in 66 seconds.
Earlier, Alsharbatly had finished second in the CSI5* 145cm class. Colombian Andres Penalosa had emerged victorious with his 10-year-old stallion Tenor De Rouhet. The pair’s winning time was 25.19 seconds, which fetched Penalosa €6,150 for his efforts.
Alsharbatly timed 25.41 seconds with Woulon L, ahead of Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano, who completed the podium with Chalou in 25.55 seconds.
In the CSI2*, Kuwait rider Rakan al-Hasawi representing Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) emerged triumphant in both the events.
In the One round against the clock 130 cm class, al-Hasawi and Dennis finished in 59.08 seconds for a thrilling win. Their time was just 0.67 seconds better than Saudi Arabia’s Saad Alajmi and Cornelexs, who stopped the clock in 59.75 seconds.
Qatar’s Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi brought some cheer to the local crowd when he finished third with Numero Uno — T in 61.09 seconds.
In the championship’s opening event, CSI2* 120cm class, al-Hasawi had partnered Denver to victory. The Kuwaiti and his nine-year-old bay jumped clear in 23.85 seconds to claim the top spot.
Qatar’s Mohamed Taleb al-Marri took second place with Goldan, finishing in 24.90 seconds, while Saudi’s Abdullah Faris Abaalkhail and Chaleur 2 came third in 24.94 seconds.

Results
CSI5*, Table A, One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1, 150cm — Prize money: €61,800.
1. Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami (Saudi Arabia) Garlic VH Kapelhof. Time: 62.80 seconds. Prize money: €15,450.
2. Abdulrahman Alrajhi (Saudi Arabia) Chilli Pepper Van De Helle. 64.97 secs. €12,360.
3. Abdullah Alsharbatly (Saudi Arabia) Domingo. 66.00 secs. €9,270.
CSI5*, Two phases, Art. 274.5.3, 145cm — Prize money: €24,600.
1. Andres Penalosa (Colombia) Tenor De Rouhet. 25.19 seconds. €6,150.
2. Abdullah Alsharbatly (Saudi Arabia) Woulon L. 25.41 secs. €4,920.
3. Emanuele Gaudiano ITA (Italy) Chalou. 25.55 secs. €3,690.
CSI2*, Table A, One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1, 130cm — Prize money: €9,000.
1. Rakan al-Hasawi (FEI) Dennis. 59.08 secs. €2,250.
2. Saad Alajmi (Saud Arabia) Cornelexs. 59.75 secs. €1,800.
3. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi (Qatar) Numero Uno — T. 61.09 secs. €1,350.
CSI2*, Two phases, Art. 274.5.3, 120 CM — Prize: €8,000.
1. Rakan al-Hasawi (FEI) Denver. 23.85 secs. €2,000.
2. Mohamed Taleb al-Marri (Qatar) Goldan. 24.90 secs. €1,600.
3. Abdullah Faris Abaalkhail (Saudi Arabia) Chaleur 2. 24.94 secs. €1,000.00.

Today’s schedule
1 pm: CSI2* Accumulator with Joker FEI Art. 269 | Max. 120cm | 1 Horse per athlete | 350 m/min | €10,000.3:30pm: CSI2* Two Phases FEI Art. 274.5.3 | Max. 130cm | 1 Horse per athlete | 350 m/min | €11,000
5:30pm: CSI5* Speed & Handiness FEI Art. 263 – Table C 239 | Max. 145cm | 1 Horse per athlete | 350 m/min | €24,600 | LR (Group D)
7:30pm: CSI5* Table A against the clock with Jump Off. FEI Art. 238.2.2 | Max. 155cm | 1 Horse per athlete | 350 m/min | €61,800 | LR (Group C)