Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates – January 14, 2023 – A 100% effort is what it took for David Will (GER) and Cento du Rouet to win the €26,200 Al Shira’aa Longines Gold Tour Grand Prix CSI 2* last Saturday during the 2023 Al Shira’aa International Horse Show CSI 4*-W & CSI 2*, a part of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Events at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort.

A total of 41 combinations took part in the feature CSI 2* class of the week, 1.45m contest decided by 8 of them in the jump-off. In the end, it was David who imposed his will to win over the rest, guiding the 16-year-old bay Oldenburg gelding (Chintan x Balou du Rouet) in flawless fashion, completing winning round in 36.13 seconds.

Still a teenager at the age of nineteen, Abdurakhmon Abdullaev (UZB) was one of the pleasant surprises of the challenge, not only registering two fault-free performances aboard Caballone (Catoki / Contendro I) but also securing a second-place finish backed by a final time of 36.98 seconds.

To delight of the local spectators, an Emirati also climbed onto the podium. Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi (UAE) and Staphael (Stakkato Gold / Raphael) rounded out the top three by leaving all the poles up for the second time and tripping the final timers in

Final Results – €26,200 Al Shira’aa Longines Gold Tour Grand Prix CSI 2*

1) David Will (GER) & Cento du Rouet – 0 / 0 – 36.13

2) Abdurakhmon Abdullaev (UZB) & Caballone – 0 / 0 – 36.98

3) Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi (UAE) & Staphael – 0 / 0 – 39.03

Source: Al Shira’aa International Horse Show & Longines Timing

Photo: © Al Shira’aa International Horse Show

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