Individual silver and bronze, team bronze for UAE show jumpers at Asian Games

Following a bronze medal for the UAE show-jumping team, rider Omar Al-Marzouqi has taken silver and Abdulla Al-Marri secured bronze in the individual championship at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

This marks the first time that the UAE has won three equestrian medals at the Asian Games.

The youngest rider on the team, Al-Marzouqi, who was riding Dalida VD Zuuthoeve owned by Al-Shira’aa, rode two double clears to make it through to the jump-off, where he rode an impressive tactical round to finish clear in a time of 42.3s to take silver. This was his second medal at international level, having previously claimed silver at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, aged 15.

Al-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 teammate Al-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 HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, for his full and continuous support,” said 20-year-old Al-Marzouqi, who went on to say: “Coming home with three medals is a fantastic achievement.”

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, said: “I am beyond proud of our riders and team; they have shown determination and horsemanship passing anyone’s expectations. Two of the four