Just two days ago, sixteen-year-old Mabkhout Alkarbi began his first trip to England – and, indeed, his first-ever round jumping on grass – in fine style, taking the win in the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting’s Fly Free Equine 1.25m Open Championship.
On the show’s final day he closed out his British debut with victory in the Doney Championship with Harry 233.
It was a great result for Hickstead’s title sponsors Al Shira’aa, for whom UAE competitor Mabkhout rides.
“This feels very good – a big thank you to Al Shira’aa,” said Mabhout – whose name, incidentally, translates to “lucky one” or “champion.”
The UAE riders have been using this week’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting to help prepare for next month’s Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, in which they are competing for the first time.
The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting takes place from 19-22 June at Hickstead in West Sussex. Tickets are available from www.hickstead.co.uk, while the action is being shown live on ClipMyHorse.TV
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l Shira’aa Stables – A Journey of Equine Excellence
Al Shira’aa Stables was founded from a love of horses and grew into a multi-faceted company, committed to the development of horsemanship across many disciplines. Al Shira’aa Stables was set in motion to develop and promote all aspects of equestrian sports and horse care, the remit of Al Shira’aa now extends far beyond our main base in Abu Dhabi to include equestrian development on a global scale.
First held in 1961, the Hickstead Derby is one of the most historic and popular classes in showjumping. his year’s competitors tackle the fearsome course, which includes the 10ft 6in slope of the Derby Bank, the notoriously difficult Devil’s Dyke combination, and one of the widest water jumps in the world.
