Historic double for UAE riders at Asian Games show jumping competition

Following Wednesday’s bronze medal for the UAE show jumping team, rider Omar Al Marzouqi takes silver and Abdulla Al Marri secures bronze in Friday’s individual championship at the 19th Asian Games.

This marks the first time in history that the UAE have won three equestrian medals at the Asian Games.

The youngest rider on the team, Omar Al Marzouqi riding Dalida VD Zuuthoeve, owned by Al Shira'aa, rode two double clears to make it through to the jump-off, where he rode a tremendous tactical round to finish clear in a time of 42.3s to take silver.

This is Marzouqi’s second medal at Olympic level, having previously claimed silver at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, aged 15.

Marri on James VDO Heihoef, also owned by Al Shira'aa, had a more challenging start to the day with penalties in the first round but recovered well to ride clear over a challenging course in the second round and take bronze following a clear jump-off in 42.45s, just behind team-mate Marzouqi.

“It wasn’t an easy competition, but the mare jumped six amazing rounds and tried so hard for me, which has paid off with two medals. I’d like to congratulate the whole country, especially His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, for his full and continuous support, and to Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE. And, of course, special thanks to Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and owner of Al Shira’aa for supporting equestrian sport,” said 20-year-old Silver medallist Marzouqi, who went on to say that “Coming home with three medals is a fantastic achievement.”

Marri went on to add “Honestly, it’s a great achievement for our country and I’d like to thank our biggest supporters Sheikh Mohamed for his full and continuous support, and to Sheikh Hazza and Sheikh Mansour head of the UAE Equestrian Federation. And, definitely, we have to thank Sheikha Fatima, who has changed equestrian sport, not only in the UAE but globally.

“We’re lucky to be part of this organisation and the future looks very bright. She has a big vision, and a great team behind Al Shira’aa, and we’re looking forward to more achievements.”

Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said: "I am beyond proud of our riders and team, they have shown determination and horsemanship passing anyone's expectations! Two of the four riders are self-made, with their own financial backing, and have fought extremely hard to get to this point in their careers. We were up against strong individuals with federation-bought horses, so to come home with three medals is a great achievement. “I would like to thank my father Sheikh Hazza, for his continuous support of the Al Shira’aa-owned horses, and my uncle Sheikh Mansour, for his continuous support and belief in this equestrian discipline for our country. To finish with a silver and bronze medal in the individual after three tough rounds of jumping is a fantastic result.”

“Today is an immensely proud day for us as a team. In the past few weeks, we have overcome many obstacles to get to this point. Coming home with three medals after a decade of support from  Sheikha Fatima means the world to us. We have reached new highs, and we move forward towards the Olympics with a strong team, which I consider as family. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our horses, our grooms, vet, farrier, riders, and Alicia Macdonald, Director of Al Shira’aa Farms, whom I would be lost without. A kind thank you to Duncan Inglis and William Funnell, who stepped in at the last minute as our Chef D’Equipe, bringing a new level of positivity to the team. There was not a dry eye in the grandstand,” said Samantha Kettle, assistant team manager.

With a team bronze and two individual medals in hand, the team will head to the UK to be based under the watchful eye of international show jumper Funnel to train with their new Olympic rides before heading back to the UAE for the winter tour.