Sierra Du Piedroux Z impressively wins the CSI5* Grand Prix of Sharjah

After last week's first leg of the Longines League of Nations in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates again saw five-star level show jumping last week. The place to be this time was the Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club, where the H.H. Ruler of Sharjah Cup was on the agenda. The absolute highlight of the weekend there was, of course, last night's CSI5* Grand Prix, in which it was a Z horse that took the top prize.

Indeed, victory was reserved for Brazilian rider Luiz Felipe Cortizo De Azevedo Filho with the 11-year-old grey mare Sierra du Piedroux Z, a daughter of Hunter's Scendix and Contefino bred by Claude Noirot. Gonçalves De Azevedo Filho and Sierra du Piedroux Z were already good for ^7th place in the 1.50m main class on Friday during the opening day, but retained the best so far during the CSI5* Grand Prix. After a clear first round, the duo were among the top ten combinations to qualify for a second round. In that decisive round, they once again showed their qualities, being the only combination to again keep the 0 on the scoreboard, impressively adding this Grand Prix to their record of achievements.

Also in this CSI5* Grand Prix, home rider Shk. Ali Jmal Nasr Al Nuami managed to jump into the limelight with the 10-year-old stallion Cobalt vd Bisschop Z, a breeding product of Tom De Craene who combined the blood of Cicero Z with that of Berlin. Shk. Ali Jmal Nasr Al Nuami and Cobalt vd Bisschop Z saw two bars roll out of the scoops in the second and decisive round and with a total score of 8 penalties they were eventually good for ^9th place in the standings.

In the 1.50m class on Saturday, his compatriot Mohamed Shafi Mohamed Alremeithi managed to secure another top ranking with the 9-year-old gelding Dowan Vd Vosberg Z, a son of Dominator 2000 Z and Pythagoras bred by Iboya D'Haese. Mohamed Shafi Mohamed Alremeithi and Dowan Vd Vosberg Z stayed clear in the basic round during this main class, making them one of six combinations who managed to advance to the jump-off. There they repeated their flawless performance from the first round, which earned them a ^3rd place in the rankings, just like in the CSI2* Grand Prix the week before.