For the second straight week, Kristaps Neretnieks (LAT) and Moon Ray were once again victorious in the desert, claiming the AED $400,000 Abu Dhabi FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W yesterday during the Abu Dhabi International Showjumping CSI 4*-W in the United Arab Emirates.

Kristaps Neretnieks (LAT) & Moon Ray flying high towards victory

Kristaps Neretnieks (LAT) & Moon Ray galloping like lightning on the sands of the desert in Abu Dhabi

The Latvian and the 14-year-old bay gelding (Cornet Obolensky x Contender) were the “Kings of the Desert” once again, topping the 1.45m-1.60m class after two clean performances, the second one in 43.81 seconds during the tiebreaker.

Abdel Said (EGY) and Venise du Reverdy (Quidam de Revel x Robin II Z) earned silver honors, matching the winners’ penalty-free jump-off performance in 46.19 seconds.

Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi (UAE) and Cha Cha Cha 7 (Chacco-Blue x Quick Star) gave the home crowd something to cheer about, rounding out the top three with no penalties and a final time of 46.34 seconds.

Podium: 2. Abdel Said (EGY), 1. Kristaps Neretnieks (LAT) 3. Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi