Gijón, Spain – August 30, 2025 – Abdullah Alsharbatly (KSA) and Las Mestas. Las Mestas and Alsharbatly. A permanent connection that had not yet been nurtured in this edition of the Gijón International Horse Show CSI 4* & CSI 2*. Fans applauded him every time went into the ring, but the Saudi had not yet made the podium, and the people of Gijón were already eager to celebrate a triumph for their favorite rider.

The €28,300 Caser Group Helvetia Grand Prix CSI 2* was the perfect chance, and 36.74 seconds, that was all it took for his fortunes to change. Six combinations had qualifier for what turned out to be a very quick jump-off but the Saudi rider was supreme on the back of Quisandro, the 2010 dark Bay Holsteiner gelding (Quintero x Gaspari 25) did not touch a single pole.

Mark McAuley (IRL) and Destinee de Vains secured second place, matching the double clear of the eventual winners but over two seconds slower in the tiebreaker.

It’s always good to see new faces climbing onto the podium at FEI-level events, even more so in grands prix. Catherine Yen-Tung Chew (SGP) and Holanda VDL were a pleasant surprise, conquering bronze honors after two penalty-free performances too, the decisive one in 42.84 seconds.

Final Results – €28,300 Caser Group Helvetia Grand Prix CSI 2*

1) Abdullah Al-Sharbatly (KSA) & Quisandro – 0 / 0 – 36.74

2) Mark McAuley (IRL) & Destinee de Vains – 0 / 0 – 38.95

3) Catherine Yen-Tung Chew (SGP) & Holanda VDL – 0 / 0 – 42.84

Source: News Release (translated & edited) from CSI Gijón

Photo: © CSI Gijón

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