Germany’s Janne F. Meyer-Zimmermann celebrates her victory with Messi Van ‘T Ruytershof.
Doha, Qatar: Germany’s Janne F. Meyer-Zimmermann aboard Messi Van ‘T Ruytershof put on a spectacular show to claim the prestigious H H The Amir Sword title with victory in the CSI5* Grand Prix 1.60m at Al Shaqab yesterday.
The final day of the H H The Amir Sword International Equestrian Festival 2025 featured eight more thrilling contests at the Longines Outdoor and Indoor arenas.
In the marquee event of the Festival, Meyer-Zimmermann and the 13-year-old bay were in immaculate form, clocking 78.39 seconds in the first round before sealing the crown with a time of 42.54 seconds in the jump-off.
“I am super proud and really happy with how my horse performed. It was a really important event for me, and I took my best horse. I am super proud of 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.
Corporate Services Director at Al Shaqab & Member of the Organising Committee Hamza Al Kuwari presented trophies to the podium winners of CSI3* Grand Prix 1.50m.
Riding Diana du Plevau Z, Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Almobty secured second spot with a time of 42.91 seconds in the jump-off, while Frenchman Antoine Ermann claimed third place after clocking 45.50 seconds aboard Floyd des Pres in the final round.
The CSI3* Grand Prix 1.50m was won by Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano, who guided Nikolaj de Music to perfection clocking 42.25 seconds in the jump off. South Africa’s Oliver Lazarus sealed second place aboard Butterfly Ennemmel in 44.73 seconds, while Liechtenstein rider Jennifer Hochstaedter, astride Winnetou de La Hamente Z, was third in 45.47 seconds.
Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly celebrates his CSI1* Grand Prix 1.30m victory.
At the Longines Indoor Arena, Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly produced a stellar performance aboard grey stallion Dr Scarpo to clinch victory in the CSI1* Grand Prix 1.30m class. He clocked 72.97 seconds in the initial round and 32.19 seconds in the jump-off.
Qatar’s rising talent Haya Khalid Al Hitmi secured the runner-up spot, guiding Hustique to times of 74.10 and 34.74 seconds. Third place went to Qatar’s Saeed Hamad Juma, who rode bay stallion Diesel Gp du Bois Madame, finishing in 71.61 seconds and 38.28 seconds in the jump-off.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Lazarus, riding Miss Paris, claimed the CSI5* 1.45m title with a time of 34.86 seconds in the jump-off. He edged Portugal’s Duarte Seabra, who settled for second place after clocking 35.16 seconds with Van Halen Z. Spain’s Mariano Martinez Bastida secured third position with a time of 35.29 seconds aboard Jup.
Martinez Bastida continued his fine form, winning the CSI3* 1.40m with Quark de Preuilly Z in 30.55 seconds in the jump-off. Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Almobty, astride Soccero 2, and Qatar’s Sheikh Ali Khalid Al Thani (Marco Monet) shared second place after identical times of 32.49 seconds in the jump-off.
The CSIY-B 1.30m qualifier for Group VII Finals for Young Riders saw a Qatari one-two, with Abdulaziz Khalid Al Bukhari emerging victorious with Ganges Loca in 45.32 seconds despite four penalties. Sultan Salem Al Naemi, riding Higgs, also incurred four penalties and finished in 46.49 seconds to take second place.
Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Alhady dominated the CSI1* Immediate 1.15m class, winning aboard chestnut gelding Doremi du Flot Z with a time of 30.98 seconds in the jump-off. Qatar’s Hussain Ali M M Al Kaabi finished second on Contenta Della Verdina in 31.11 seconds, while Almobty, was third with Limonca in 32.17 seconds.
Event Director Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin honoured the top six riders of Future Riders’ National Competition.
Future riding talents displayed skill and confidence in the 100cm class of the Future Riders’ National Competition, where Naylah bint Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani triumphed aboard Bon Suela with a flawless 71.61 seconds.
Qatar’s Layan Sultan J Al Thani, riding Cascade Sammy, secured second place in 72.52 seconds, while Canada’s Ahmed Mahmoud Al Arrouqi, on Mackney Buster, finished third in 72.54 seconds. Abdulla Ahmed Al Khulaifi (71.04s), Manar Fahad H I Al Fardan (70.94s), and Tamim bin Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani (70.79s) completed the top six.
Tournament Director Nasser Al Hajri said that the event met the organising committee’s expectations in terms of technical quality, organisation and spectator turnout.
He highlighted the tournament’s distinguished participation, attracting elite riders from around the world.
