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Thursday 2nd March - Jumping CSI3*

On a grey morning, Columbian rider Andres Penalosa lifted spirits by winning the CSI3* and opening class of CHI AL SHAQAB 2017.

 Penalosa is the only rider from Columbia in the entire competition. He produced a strong clear in this two phase competition, recording a fast time of 31.02 in the second phase. His winning ride for this class was the eleven year old, Barcelona. This Dutch bred horse by the notable stallion, Mr Blue is certainly bred for the job. Whilst the rider represented Columbia, Abdulkarim  Abdulrahman Abbar from Saudi Arabia owns the horse.

Ramzy Hamad Al Duhami riding from Saudi Arabia, finished just a shade behind with a second phase time of 31.73, to put him in second place with his Belgian bred horse High Quality Jwhilst third place went to Ali Al Khorafi on the ten year old gelding Columbus.

It was a hotly contested class with 55 riders coming forward to jump the 1 metre 30 course. The course, held in Al Shaqab’s state-of-the-art outdoor arena, produced 11 double clears. Just 20 made it through to the second phase and there were a number of retirements and eliminations.

CHI AL SHAQAB has become one of the main fixtures on the show jumping calendar and this year there were almost as many riders on the wait list as those entered. For 3* competitors, many of whom are amateurs, the competition offers riders a chance to rub shoulders with the world’s leading show jumpers who are taking part in the CSI5* competitions.