The Asian Games 2018 concluded last week in Jakarta – Palembang, Indonesia, an event that saw the best showjumpers from the far east competing for glory and gold. Held every four years in the middle of the Olympic cycle the Asiads, as the Games are also known, is the biggest sporting event in the world with a massive 12,000 athletes taking part. Equestrian sport was introduced at the 9th Games in New Delhi (IND) in 1982, and competitions are conducted under FEI Rules.  

Ramzy Al Duhami (KSA)

Japan had to settle for silver in Jumping when a world-class group of athletes from The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia dominated. However Abdullah Al Sharbatly (Carrera), Khaled Al Eid (Kayenna of de Rocky Mounten), Khaled Al Mobty (Desert Storm II) and Ramzy Alduhami (Ted) only edged out the Japanese by less than two points at the end of a tight competition in which Qatar lined up in bronze, almost eight points further behind.

Team Saudi Arabia: Khaled Al Mobty, Ramzy Hamad Al Duhami, Abdullah Al Sharbatly & Khaled Al Eid standing tall on the podium

The Saudi side were super-experienced, Al Sharbatly (35) claimed individual silver at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) in 2010 and team bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Al Eid (49) took individual bronze at the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000, and four-time Olympian Al Duhami (46) was standing on an Asian Games podium for the third time in his career.

Podium: Japan (silver), Saudi Arabia (gold) and Qatar (bronze)

For full results, click here.

Source: Press release by Louise Parkes for FEI – Fédération Equestre Internationale

Photos: © Sami Alduhami / FEI – Yong Teck Lim