The grand finale of the prestigious HH The Amir Sword Festival 2025 at the glorious Al Shaqab saw thrilling action on Saturday. After the first two days of unforgettable top-level competitions, riders continued to showcase remarkable skill, speed and precision in every round.
And it was Germany’s Janne Meyer-Zimmermann who etched her name in history, claiming the most prestigious title in the CSI5* Grand Prix Jump-Off 1.60m event for HH The Amir’s Sword.
A determined Meyer-Zimmermann showed superb composure astride bay gelding Messi Van ‘T Ruytershof and finished a flawless Jump Off routine in fastest 42.45secs. Her first routine was a flawless 78.39secs. The grand victory also fetched her a prize of €81,250. Khaled Almobty of Saudi Arabia had to settle for the second place, finishing behind close in 42.91secs in the Jump-Off while France’s Antoine Ermann was third in 45.50secs.
“I am super proud and I am really happy how my horse performed. It was a really important for me and I took my best horse and I am super proud how he jumped,” Meyer-Zimmermann said after her triumph. “It’s my first five-star win of the year and there are lots of events coming up so it’s very good for us to show that we are in good shape,” she added.

Gaudiano dazzles in CSI3*-W - Grand Prix
In the final CSI3*-W - Grand Prix - Jump-Off - 1.50m event under lights, Italian Emanuele Gaudiano beat a stellar field with his mount Nikolaj de Music, a bay stallion, to claim the top honours and a top prize of €14,200 clocking best 42.25secs in a 12-rider Jump Off field. South African Oliver Lazrus took the runners-up place astride bay mare Butterfly Ennemmel (44.73secs), while Jennifer Hochstaedter of Liechtenstein was third. She combined with bay gelding Winnetou de La Hamente Z clocking 45.47secs.

Lazarus claims CSI5* 1.45m title
The CSI5* - Jump-Off - 1.45m class was claimed by South Africa Oliver Lazarus, who stood out on bay mare Miss Paris with best times of 75.12 and 34.86secs (Jump-Off). Portugal’s Duarte Seabra, riding Van Halen Z, was second (75.08 & 35.16secs), and Spaniard Mariano Martinez Bastida, third on horse Jup (74.29 & 35.29secs). The winners were awarded by Hamza al-Kuwari, Corporate Services Director at Al Shaqab, and Member of the Organising Committee.
Bastida later returned to the Longines outdoor arena on bay stallion Quark de Preuilly Z to win the CSI3*-W - Immediate Jump-Off - 1.40m. He clocked 70.81secs and 30.55secs (Jump-Off).
The second podium spot went to Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Almobty, who rode Soccero 2, finishing in 74.46 and 32.49secs, along with Qatar’s Sheikh Ali Khalid al-Thani, astride bay gelding Marco Monet, returning times of 72.21 and 32.49secs, respectively.

Al-Bukhari tops CSIY-B – Qualifier for FEI Championship
Qatar’s Abdulaziz Khalid al-Bukhari topped the CSIY-B - Qualifier for FEI’s International Championship Group VII Finals for Young Riders - Jump-Off - 1.30m class following a thrilling showdown. Al-Bukhari delivered a stellar performance to claim victory in an intense jump-off, proving his skill among the rising stars. Riding bay mare Ganges Loca, al-Bukhari finished the first routine in flawless 76.94secs and in the Jump Off clocked 45.32secs with four penalties. Qatar’s Sultan Salem al-Naemi was second on bay mare Higgs finishing in 81.56secs and 46.49 secs with four penalties in Jump-Off. Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz Fahad Aleid on Miss Cooper ended third.
Engineer Ahmed al-Benali, Director of Festivals & Events at Visit Qatar, honoured the winners.

Alsharbatly excels in CSI1*
Earlier in the day at the Longines indoor arena, Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly excelled on grey stallion Dr Scarpo to win the CSI1* - Grand Prix - Jump-Off - 1.30m class. He clocked 72.97secs and 32.19 in the Jump-Off. The second podium place was claimed by Qatar’s promising Haya Khalid al-Hitmi, who rode lightbay mare Hustique to clock 74.10 and 34.74secs.
The third place went to Qatar’s Saeed Hamad Juma, riding bay stallion Diesel Gp du Bois Madame, and returning times of 71.61secs and 38.28secs respectively. Ahmed Jaber al-Mulla, Member of the Organising Committee, honoured the winners.

Naylah sizzles in Future Riders’ National Competition 100cm
Young riding talents showcased impressive skills, precision, and confidence in the exciting challenge of the Future Riders’ National Competition 100cm class with Naylah bint Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani taking the top honours. Naylah rode Bon Suela with finesse and had the best flawless time of 71.61secs.
Qatar’s Layan Sultan J al-Thani, astride Cascade Sammy, was second with a time of 72.52secs, Canada’s Ahmed Mahmoud al-Arrouqi on Mackney Buster third (72.54secs), Abdulla Ahmed al-Khulaifi on Ardfry Apollo, fourth (71.04secs), Manar Fahad H I al-Fardan on G-Star SL, fifth (70.94secs), and Tamim bin Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani astride Fallon Nevada, sixth (70.79secs).
Mohammed Jaber al-Khayarin, the Event Director, honoured all the podium winners with their prizes.

Alhady wins CSI1* 1.15m class
Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Alhady won the CSI1* - Immediate Jump-Off - 1.15m class. Astride chestnut gelding Doremi du Flot Z, Alhady topped with times of 78.36secs and a flawless 30.98secs in the Jump-Off. The second podium place was bagged by Qatar’s Hussain Ali al-Kaabi, who rode bay mare Contenta Della Verdina to clock 73.08 and 31.11secs respectively. The third place went to Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Almobty, who rode dark chestnut mare Limonca, clocking 82.42secs and 32.17secs.