Lambre and Gaudiano shine in five star classes

Santiago Lambre and Emanuele Gaudiano won the five star classes during the day one of the HH The Amir Sword International Equestrian Festival at Al Shaqab on Thursday.
In the CSI5* against the clock 150cm class, Brazilian Lambre emerged triumphant with stallion Zeusz 67.91 seconds. The second place went to Thailand’s Janakabhorn Karunayadhaj, who came home in 68.01 seconds with 12-year-old mare Maxwin Kinmar Agalux, while Saudi Arabia’s Khaled al-Mombty finished third in 70.48 seconds with Jaguar King WD.
Earlier, Lambre had finished second to Gaudiano in the CSI5* Two Phases 145cm class. Italy’s Gaudiano finished on top with his stallion Vasco 118 in a time of 24.22 seconds. Lambre this time had to settled for runner-up spot with veteran gelding Cetano Van Aspergem Z in 24.81 seconds, while Austrian Gerfried Puck was third with Equitron Ornaat V in 26.63 seconds.
In the CSI5* 140cm class, Saudi’s Saad al-Ajmi came in first place in 41.74 seconds. Frenchwoman Cyrine Cherif was second, followed by her compatriot Louise Sidran.
More than 150 riders from 28 countries are participating in the showjumping and dressage competitions, which carries a total prize pool of more than 650,000 euros.
On Thursday, the championship began with three-star category at a height of 120cm, which witnessed intense competition. Qatar’s Hamad Nasser al-Qadi came in first place with a time of 23.48 seconds, while Saudi’s Abdullah al-Sheikh finished in 23.55 seconds, followed by home rider Salman Mohamed al-Emadi in 23.97 seconds.
In the 130cm class, Kuwait’s Ali al-Kharafi came first with a time of 26.93 seconds, ahead of the Qatar’s Bassem Mohamed, who came second with a time of 26.98 seconds, and Qatar’s Hamad Towaim al-Marri, who came in third place with a time of 27.15 seconds.
In the three-star 145cm against the clock, Sweden’s Evelina Tovek finished first, followed by home favourites Mohamed Saeed Haidan and Salman Mohamed al-Emadi.
In the competitions for the young riders category at a height of 130cm, which was held in the Longines indoor arena in Al Shaqab, Qatari rider Khalifa Abdullah al-Khalidi was crowned first place, followed by his compatriot Fares al-Qahtani in second place, while Saudi’s Othman Bakerman came in third place.
As for the junior category at a height of 120cm, the Qatari riders displayed their brilliance. Sultan Salem al-Nuaimi came first, Mohamed bin Jassim al-Thani was second while Abdullah Khaled al-Jalandani was third.