SHARJAH: Jordan’s Yousef Khair Hamdi Al Bakri aboard Amichoraz took top honours in the Al Shira’aa stables sponsored children category of the showjumping event held as a part of the Sharjah Ruler Cup International Show Jumping Championship.

UAE’s Eisa Omran Al Owais riding Avelon finished second while Syria’s Aya Hamcho aboard Chesterfield took third spot.

On Thursday, the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club (SERC) will host the club’s inaugural CSI5*W showjumping event.

The three-day championship is being held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

The CSI5*W event carries a whopping 4.1 million in prize and is the top most category of competition in show jumping worldwide.

The championship, sponsored by Longines, also serves as qualifier for the Longines FEI World Cup.

The CSI5*W status means the very best and top-ranking riders will be competing at Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club’s state –of-the-art facility.

Over 100 international rides from Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Britain, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Libia, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Portugal, Russia, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine and the US will compete in Sharjah Ruler Cup International Show Jumping Championship.

Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Salem Khamis Al Suwaidi, Abdullah Al Merri, Sheikh Majed Bin Abdullah al Qasimi, Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, Mohammad Al Kumaiti and Mohammad Al Hajri will lead the UAE challenge in the competition.