Germany Claims Sharjah Nations Cup Victory In Dramatic Finish
Will Leads German Squad To Sharjah Glory
Germany claimed victory in the Sharjah Nations Cup at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, finishing on just 10 faults to secure the US$19,500 (€18,000) first prize. The German squad, led by Chef d'Equipe David Will, delivered a masterclass in consistency across the two-round 1.55-metre competition, holding off a determined challenge from the home nation UAE team.
German Dominance
The CSIO4* competition marked a significant achievement for the German team, who recorded a flawless first round with zero penalties before accumulating 10 faults in the second round. David Will, doubling as both Chef d'Equipe and competitor, delivered two clear rounds aboard Xixo Borgia, demonstrating the leadership qualities that have made him a respected figure in regional showjumping circles. Sophie Hinners matched Will's performance with clear rounds on Lommers, while Maximilian Lill contributed crucially despite collecting 10 faults in round two aboard Casallco's George PS.
Uae Silver Medal Performance
The UAE team, guided by British Chef d'Equipe William Funnell, finished as runners-up with 12 faults total and claimed US$13,000(€12,000). The home side demonstrated remarkable composure, particularly in their second-round performance, where they reduced their fault count from eight to just four. Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi aboard Enjoy de la Mure proved instrumental, recording a clear first round before picking up four faults in round two. The standout performance came from Abdullah Mohd Al Marri on BBS McGregor, who delivered two clear rounds to anchor the UAE challenge.
Ireland Under New Leadership
Ireland secured third place with 20 faults, collecting US$10,850 (€10,000). Under the guidance of new Chef d'Equipe Shane Breen, Ireland showed promise in the opening round with just four penalties, but struggled in round two, accumulating 16 faults. Michael Pender on HHS Orchidee delivered a clear opening round, while Shane Breen himself contributed with clear and four-fault performances aboard BP Arctic Blue. The Irish team will take encouragement from their competitive showing despite the challenging second-round conditions.
British Struggle And Lower Places
Great Britain finished fourth with 30 faults under Chef d'Equipe Di Lampard, earning US$8,680 (€8,000). The British squad struggled to find consistency across both rounds, with Alexander McLean on Calixte Heartbreaker Z delivering their best result of zero faults in round one, followed by four in round two. The performance highlighted the competitive depth in the regional showjumping circuit, with Great Britain unable to match the precision of the top three nations.
Italy and Egypt shared the fifth-place prize money of US$6,510 (€6,000) each, finishing with 40 and 52 faults, respectively. Italy, led by Chef d'Equipe Simone Coata, showed improvement between rounds, reducing their penalties from 28 to 12. Egypt struggled throughout both rounds under Chef d'Equipe Ashraf Abdallah, maintaining 26 faults in each phase. Syria and Brazil completed the field, with Syria recording 64 faults in round one before being eliminated, while Brazil was eliminated during competition.
Regional Showjumping Development
The competition, which counts towards the FEI Longines Ranking Group H, attracted seven nations to the outdoor arena at Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club. The venue, established in 1982 under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, has become an important destination for international showjumping in the Gulf region, providing challenging yet fair conditions for the 1.55-metre course, designed under FEI Article 226.1 Table A regulations.
Germany's victory reinforces its position as a formidable force in international team showjumping. The combination of experienced leadership from Will and consistent performances across their team proved decisive in what was a highly competitive field. For the UAE, the silver medal represents another strong showing on home soil and demonstrates the continued development of showjumping talent in the Emirates.
The Sharjah Nations Cup continues to serve as an important fixture on the regional showjumping calendar, attracting quality international competition and providing opportunities for teams to earn valuable FEI Longines ranking points. The total prize money of US$65,100 (€60,000) reflects the growing significance of showjumping events in the Middle East.