Inés Joly for the Win in High-Stakes Hickstead Speed Derby

The penultimate day of the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show concluded in spectacular fashion, as the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Speed Derby delivered a thrilling, crowd-pleasing close to Saturday’s competition, bringinghigh-speed drama under the spotlights. 

Edward Bunn, Director of the All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, presenting Inés Joly, winner of the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Speedy Derby © Helen Cruden

Inspired by the iconic Derby format synonymous with Hickstead and Hamburg, Al Shira’aa has reintroduced the class to the UAE calendar following its long-term sponsorship of the heritage class at Hickstead, UK. The class challenged riders with a fast-paced rustic course that rewarded precision, bravery and bold-decision making.

Sophie Hinners of Germany was among the first to take on the challenge and immediately laid down a strong marker, guiding Come Away Flamingo Z into the lead with a bold and flowing round that set the early pace and would ultimately secure second place. However, it was French rider, Inès Joly, who went full throttle to steal the spotlight, producing a fearless performance aboard Faylinn de Fondcombe to stop the clock in 108.65 seconds, taking the win. Syria’s Shady Ghrayeb completed the podium in third place riding Cabernet de Mars, adding four penalties but still delivering one of the quickest rounds of the class in a thrilling conclusion to the Speed Derby.

Earlier in the day, competition began in Arena Two with the CSI Juniors class, presented by Prestige, where young riders once again demonstrated maturity beyond their years in the 1.30m one-round-against-the-clock format. Eighteen-year-old Ali Shehab Alrahman took top honours aboard Let It Be Again, with a fast clear in 54.76 seconds. Saud Mohamed Almaeeni followed in second place riding Kartouche MZ, with Saleh Muffrej Ali Mohamed Alkari rounding out the all-Emirati podium aboard Dion Z. 

Attention then turned to the CSIYH 6-Year-Old Classic Final, presented by K.AR Sport Horses, where the quality of young horses on display underlined the event’s commitment to long-term sport development. Eight of the twelve finalists progressed to the jump-off, but it was Saif Owaida Mohammed Alkirbi and Pink Floyd V&V who delivered the fastest clear, stopping the clock in 39.19 seconds to better his performance from Day One andtake the win. Al Shira’aa’s Spanish rider, Agusti Sastre Caballero sped into second place aboard Pablo Escobar KJV, while Salim Khamis Al Suwaidi took third on Doubel Ble. 

Diego López, operations manager of K.AR Sport Horses, said “we have been extremely impressed by the quality of young horses competing throughout the finals, particularly the rideability, scope and consistency on display. Supporting these classes aligns closely with the shared vision between K.AR Sport Horses and Al Shira’aa to invest in the future of the sport, and we are proud to continue our sponsorship for a second year as part of a long-term commitment to developing young horses on an international stage.”

The programme continued with the CSI Children’s Class, supported by Al Forsan International Sports Resort, where young combinations contested the 1.15m Two-Phase Special. Four riders delivered faultless clears, but it was Hasan Majed Sultan Al Awani Alnuaimi of the UAE and Charly Braun who jumped to victory in a time of 26.05 seconds. Jordanian rider Zaid Khalaf followed in second place aboard Chico, with Emirati Ayesha Saeed Al Ghurair and Haia finishing third. 

Over in Arena One, the spotlight shifted to the CSI2* Grand Prix, presented by Schelstraete Equine Law, which saw 35 qualified combinations take on course designer Elio Travagliati’s technical 1.45m track featuring 15 jumping efforts. Seven riders advanced to the jump-off and, for a moment, it looked as though Saudi Arabia’sreturning star Ramzy Al Duhami would clinch the win. However, Great Britain’s Katie Speller pipped him to the post aboard Z7 Pink Panther, owned by Team Z7, producing a double clear in a fast 37.84 seconds. The combination claimed victory at the CSI2* in Butheeb last December and has since secured multiple top-tenfinishes this season. Egypt’s Mohamed Ashraf Abdallah finished in third place riding Nik Nak DB, just fractions behind Al Duhaimi and Kanshebber S. 

“We are very happy to be here in Abu Dhabi as first-time sponsors of the CSI2* Grand Prix at such a well-organised show,” said Luc Schelstraete, Managing Partner of Schelstraete Equine Law. “The calibre of riders has been exceptionally high and the course presented a very technical challenge. The atmosphere throughout the venue has been fantastic and we will certainly be encouraging European riders to come and compete here next year.”

Amateur riders had another opportunity to shine in Arena Two, with the CSI-AM 1.10m, presented by Al Shira’aa. Rawad Saad of Lebanon once again proved unstoppable, guiding Sydney van het Oosthof to a second victory in as many days. Emirati rider Khalifa Hamdan Abdulla Al Jahouri rode Hermes de Mariposa into second place, while Egyptian rider Omar Ahmed Taha secured another third-place spot aboard Pleasure WV.

CSI Under 25 action formed part of the afternoon programme, as emerging talent battled for the final victory following two days of qualifiers. Riders faced a very challenging course, with the long run to the Al Shira’aa combination proving particularly problematic, and it initially appeared unlikely that any combination would jump clear. 

Momentum then shifted as four Emirati riders, joined by on-form Alexander McLean, advanced to the jump-off. Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi was the first to produce a double clear, setting an early benchmark time of 32.12 seconds aboard Chacco Bay, which would ultimately see him finish second. However, Abdalla Hamad Ali Al Kirbi entered the arena with a time to beat and delivered a lightning-quick round on Georgina Z, shaving more than half a second off the leading time to take the win. Mohammed Saeed Al Ghurair completed the all-Emirati podium in third place aboard Ikaros, riding the quickest four-fault round of the jump-off. 

 The CSI2 Silver Tour Final, presented by Bolesworth, delivered an exciting conclusion to the series with a fast-paced accumulator class featuring a joker fence, where accuracy and tactical decision-making proved decisive. From a strong field of 52 starters, 15 combinations successfully accumulated the maximum score of 65 points, leaving the final placings to be decided on time. Victory went to Spain’s Hugo Alvarez Amaro, who guided Ibiza d’Anchat KAR to the top of the leaderboard in 48.83 seconds. Syrian rider Osama Al Zabibi followed closely in second place aboard Bec Hugo, stopping the clock in 49.43 seconds, while UAE rider Mohamed Hamad Ali Al Kirbi completed the podium with Macho BH, finishing just fractions behind in 49.84 seconds.

The 2026 edition of the Al Shira’aa Show wraps up on Sunday with a final day of sporting action, culminating with the Al Shira’aa Longines CSI4*-W Diamond Tour FEI World Cup Grand Prix, offering a staggering €320,000 prize fund.