Bahraini show jumping team member, Khalid Hilal Al Khatri, raced to a second place podium finish in the 15th Sharjah International Show Jumping Championship.
In the three-day event, Al Khatri was riding BDF-owned mare Bashayer. Al Khatri showed his class by riding a fast and error free round in the 125m-speed class in a time of 60.04 on day one of the event.
The BDF sponsored rider excelled in a deep and talented field and was only beaten by Irish international Thomas McDaid, who won the class riding his horse ISHD Companion in a time of 59.65.
Al Khatri was the leading Bahraini rider in the event and carried his super form throughout the weekend where he almost won the 130m final on day three, if not for an unfortunate slip that denied him a win and yet another podium finish.
Al Khatri was joined by Bahrain showjumping team captain Shaikh Hassan bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Bahrain team member HH Shaikh Essa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
The three Bahraini riders represented the flag well as they all cleared the ‘Joker’ class and managed to place in the money and top twenty on day two of the prestigious showjumping event.
Perfect
HH Shaikh Essa rode two flawless rounds on his new mare, Zam Zam, as he finished the weekend without gaining any faults.
Qualified
Team captain Shaikh Hassan and Al Khatri continued to strive to represent Bahrain in the highest level of the sport by qualifying for the Sharjah GP.
Al Khatri missed the jump-off and a chance to place in the Grand PRix when he had the first part of the double combination down on the BDF-owned Awal. Shaikh Hassan found the Grand Prix challenge of Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani a bit too difficult and decided to retire after fence number six and save his horse, The Gruns, for another day.
Delighted
Al Khatri, better known as ‘bu Hilal’ in the show jumping circles was delighted with his performance and said: "I am very happy with my results throughout the weekend and I really appreciate the support from the BDF as they have backed me with training and with good horses. It is an honour to be able to travel to these international events and win for Bahrain."
Optimistic
Shaikh Hassan added: "I am very happy that we were able to start 2015 with success. We have had a few months off and I hope that this positive start will propel us to even more success throughout the year. We have a long way to go and lots of chances to improve and do better."
The three Bahrain riders are based in the UAE where they train and compete throughout the winter season. The riders have a tough six-week schedule ahead where they will be competing in all remaining Arab League events as they chase FEI Longiness World Ranking and World Cup points. The next event for the team will be the Sharjah Rulers Cup 2015 International Show Jumping Championship CSI 3*.
The riders thanked BREEF Chairman HH Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, showjumping committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, and the BDF for their continued support.
The riders also thanked the HE the minister of Defence Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Colonel Dawood Al Manea, Chief of Staff Theyab bin Sager Al Nuaimi, and Major Mishary Al Hanafy.
Source: BNA