Dubai: The three-day Dubai Show jumping Championship CSI5* W (World Cup Arab League) opened on Thursday with a local UAE winner in the Dhs.40,466 CSI2* Emirates Equestrian Centre Two Phase Class, featuring an impressive 52 riders from 13 countries.

20-year-old Abdul Rahman Ahmed Ameen of the UAE aboard a horse just five years his junior, fifteen year old Coranda took top honours, and speaking later said he was thrilled to win before a home crowd.

“I am very happy to win the opening class of the Dubai International show, it was a very fast class, and I tried my best, especially since this show was in our country, I wanted to raise the UAE flag, and I am happy I could.”

The internationally acclaimed Dubai Show Jumping Championship (DSJC) has been awarded 5 star status, and is now a CSI5*W event; the topmost category of competition in show jumping worldwide.

This year there is a significant increase in prize money on offer – the pool is now worth Dhs.2 million making the stakes even higher for all those involved.

The second Class of the day, the CSI2* Azizi Speed Stakes was also won by a 20 year old, this time from Syria. Kotayba Aldughli finished in a winning time of 65.10 seconds aboard 12 year old Gucci Team Spirit.The pair left behind a field of 20, featuring competitors from 11 countries.

Speaking later the Syrian rider said: “It was a speed class, and I was the fastest of the group, of course I am very happy to have won this class. It means a lot to me and for my country. It is a proud win for us, and I qualified for the Grand Prix (2*) on the final day, so I hope I perform well there too.

The three day Dubai Show Jumping Festival is highlighted by the Dhs. 406,866 Longines – FEI World Cup Qualifier, which is a qualifier for the Dubai Grand Prix, the Dhs.110,439 title race and the newly added Dhs.406,866 Azizi Golden Cup, one of four add-ons to the program, taking the total number of classes up to 11 from seven last year. This includes six CSI5* classes, and five CSI2* classes.