Abdulmalik, Anwar, Sultan win top honours at Muscat Showjumping Series

Muscat: Abdulmalik Abdullah Al Mawali, Anwar Al Rashid and Sultan Al Touqi took the top honours as the curtains came down on the Muscat Showjumping Series season at the Olympic Equestrian Training Centre in Al Felaij during the weekend.
According to information received from the organisers, the final event of the season saw 61 riders from government and private stables, including Royal Cavalry, Royal Oman Police, Royal Guard of Oman, Royal Army of Oman, Al Said Stable, Al Noor Stable, Al Ariba Stable, Creo Stable and Olympic Equestrian Training Centre, vying for the top honours.
After overcoming stiff competition, Abdulmalik Abdullah Al Mawali of Royal Oman Police emerged the winner in D1 class for horses up to one metre. Mohammed Gouda and Olivia Williams won the second and third places respectively.
In the D2 class, in which the riders performed on horses of 110cms, Anwar Al Rashid won the first place followed by Sultan Al Fori and Abdulmalik Abdullah Al Mawali in that order.
Sultan Al Touqi won the top honours in C Class (120cm) with Barbara Golachowska and Sultan Al Fori finishing second and third respectively.
Chief guest Said Hamdoon Saif Al Harthy, Undersecretary of Ports and Maritime Affairs, presided over the proceedings and handed over the prizes.
Showjumping has been identified as part of the national Tanfeedh initiative as a sport of high potential growth. By developing the facilities and event standards, showjumping could form the basis of a new sports tourism strategy to boost Oman’s capability as host of internationally-recognised events.
Sultan Al Touqi, organiser of the event, said: “The Muscat Showjumping Series has shown that local support is there and the potential for Omani riders to improve and compete at a higher level also exists. Working closely with the Oman Equestrian Federation, the next step for us is to elevate the standard of the events and attract international riders and events to the country in the year to come. The last weekend’s finale was a prime example of what can be achieved.”
“My thanks go to everyone who has worked on this series, at the stables, the judges, and of course the riders. We look forward to the next series with great enthusiasm and hope to welcome many new riders to the Centre,” he added.
The next showjumping series is expected to commence in October this year.