Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – January 25, 2026 – The Al Shira’aa International Horse Show CSI 4*-W & CSI 2* drew to a close on Sunday at Al Forsan International Sports Resort, as the week’s feature class, the Al Shira’aa Longines Diamond Tour FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W, delivered a fitting final to five days of world-class international competition.
Ahead of the grand finale, spectators were treated to a striking opening ceremony that set the tone for the evening’s showcase. Proceedings began with a performance by the Abu Dhabi Police Band, before the arena transformed for a dramatic LED spectacle featuring dancing horses weaving through illuminated ropes in a choreographed display of precision and harmony. As darkness fell, a drone show lit up the skyline, telling the story of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Al Nahyan’s vision for the future of equestrian sport, while paying tribute to the rich heritage of the Arabian horse — blending tradition, innovation and artistry ahead of the night’s headline sporting moment.
Contested over two rounds at heights of 1.55m–1.60m and offering a €320,000 prize fund, the Grand Prix brought together a stellar field of 50 international and local combinations. Victory went to Ireland’s Shane Breen (IRL), who produced the only double clear of the class aboard BP Arctic Blue, stopping the clock in 47.61 seconds to secure a decisive win.
Last year’s winner, Italy’s Guido Grimaldi (ITA) followed in second place riding Gentleman, his performance marred only by three time penalties.
Completing the podium was Great Britain’s Alexander McLean (GBR), who delivered the fastest second-round time aboard Calixte Heartbreaker Z, but a single pole down saw him settle for third place.
Shane Breen reflected on his winning round, saying, “I watched a few combinations go early and saw that it wasn’t an easy course. BP Arctic Blue was stepping up to this level tonight, so my focus was simply to ride my round, jump clear and then wait to see how that played out. He had a look in a couple of places, especially at the planks, but my priority was to bring him home safely. To win here is very special.”
He went on to add, “I’d like to sincerely thank Al Shira’aa for its continued support of show jumping globally. It’s hugely appreciated by riders, as is all the hard work put in by Show Director Samantha Kettle and the entire organising team. A very special thank you must also go to H.H. Sheikha Fatima for her vision and backing of this event.”
Reflecting on those closest to him, Breen continued, “I’m incredibly grateful to my own team at Breen Equestrian and Team Z7, especially H.H Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Most importantly, I want to thank my wife Chloe for trusting my judgement when we purchased BP Arctic Blue from a close friend, Greg Broderick. We’re a team, and this result is very much a shared achievement.”
Speaking after finishing second, Guido Grimaldi said, “It’s always special to be back here, especially after winning this Grand Prix last year. Gentleman is a genius and was the second-best horse in the Globals. My problem was always to stay in the time, but to be second behind Shane is a great honour.”
Delighted with his podium finish, McLean added, “I’m absolutely delighted. To finish third here and to have three wins over the week is incredible. I’d better let the boss win sometimes though, otherwise I might not have a job,” he laughed.
Wrapping up the press conference, Show Director Samantha Kettle said, “This event doesn’t happen without the incredible team behind the scenes. From the arena crew and course designers to hospitality, media and officials, everyone has worked tirelessly, often late into the night. We’ve seen a significant increase in prize money this year, particularly in the Grand Prix, which reflects H.H. Sheikha Fatima’s vision to grow the sport while keeping it accessible. We’re proud to have welcomed more sponsors than ever before and we’re already looking ahead to building something even bigger for the 10th edition.”
Over five days of competition, the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show welcomed more than 300 athletes from 38 countries and 450 horses, with thousands of spectators passing through the gates at Al Forsan International Sports Resort, reinforcing the event’s position as a key fixture on the international show jumping calendar. The Al Shira’aa Tour now looks ahead to its next stop at Al Shira’aa Le Lame Sagrantino in Italy at the end of April, with further updates and announcements to follow via @alshiraatour on Instagram.
Final Results – €320,000 Al Shira’aa Longines Diamond Tour FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W
1) Shane Breen (IRL) & BP Artic Blue – 0 – 47.61
2) Guido Grimaldi (ITA) & Gentleman – 3 – 57.67
3) Alexander McLean (GBR) & Calixte Heartbreaker Z – 4 – 43.85
Source: Press Release by Hannah McCabe / Dark Horse Communications for the Al Shira’aa Tour
Photo: © Al Shira’aa Tour / Helen Cruden
Discover more from JUMPER NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: CSI 4*-W, English, Jumper News Ireland
