Mohamed Saeed Al Ghareer took the top spot at the one-star international showjumping event in Oplabbeek, Belgium, riding Ikaros to a clean, fast finish. His jump-off time of 32.90 seconds put him nearly half a second ahead of British rider Olivia, securing the win.
According to WAM, Emirati riders achieved notable results at the same Belgian tournament, with Al Marzooqi and Biarritz Z finishing fourth and Al Muhairi and Argentina de Kreisker Z placing ninth in the final for 7- and 8-year-old horses.
The Oplabbeek event drew 51 riders to the one-star class, with 24 advancing to the jump-off after clear first rounds. Only 10 managed another clear in the final, showing the technical challenge of the course. Al Ghareer's steady performance under pressure set him apart among UAE equestrian athletes.
His win adds to a series of strong results this season in both one-star and three-star classes. It also reflects the growing presence of Emirati riders in European competitions, where the fields are deep and experienced.
Independent equestrian publications confirm that the Opglabbeek tournament featured multiple high-level classes, including CSI4* and 1.45-1.50 m events, with victories distributed among several riders such as Thibeau Spits, Thibault Philippaerts, Andres Vereecke, and Andrzej Oplatek. This competitive diversity highlights why individual wins in lower-star classes, like the 1-star/1.35 m, may not always receive broad international coverage.
Al Ghareer's result in Belgium shows that UAE riders are not limited to home competitions. By winning against a field of 51 and handling the pressure of a jump-off, he has set a new standard for Emirati equestrians in Europe.
