Stand Alone Egypt Rider Takes Credits Ahead of Strong British Line-Up

Sameh El Dahan, a stand alone rider for Egypt, yesterday took the win ahead of a top British rider line-up under the lights of the Echo Arena to complete the first afternoon’s performance for the 2017 Liverpool International Horse Show.

32 horse and rider combinations rode their hearts out around the first phase of the FEI Longines Ranking Class, sponsored by easibed, each hoping for a chance in the jump off where stood an impressive total prize fund of £24,600.

The 410 meter track with a total of 12 obstacles, in the first phase, proved difficult for even the most experienced rider. A strong first round from Luxenburg’s Charlotte Bettendorf, riding Rala d’Helby, set the play as they finished with a spectacular clear giving the pair a shot in the jump off.

Egypt’s Samah El Dehan, riding his 2014 World Equestrian Games ride Suma’s Zorro, was eighth into enter the arena. The 2003 chestnut mare failed to disappoint a crowd eager for another clear round as the determined pair stopped the clock, clear on 64.98.

British favourites Louise Saywell, Robert Whitaker, Holly Smith and Guy Williams were unable to ride through to the next phase as poles continued to roll throughout the afternoon’s proceedings. However all was not lost for GBR riders as Yazmin Davis, Harry Charles, Laura Renwick, John Whitaker, Jessica Mendoza and William Funnell all managed to secure a spot in the jump off.

A total of 15 riders entered the jump off giving each a time allowed of 47 seconds. Starting the line-up once more was Charlotte Bettendorf who again finished a faultless round stopping the clock on 32.99. Yazmin Davis riding Zillverster II left the arena on four faults.

Samah El Deham, who was third in for a shot at the top of the podium, rode a clear stopping the clock on what was an unbeatable 32.56. His early lead in the jump off kept the pressure on the riders to come.

There was an unusual mid-course dismount for John Whitaker when his ride Crumly, decided to apply the brakes at an upright causing him to take a tumble as he tried to ride ahead of the current leader.

Britain’s Laura Renwick, on board Top Dollar VI rode a quick clear round finishing 0.4 of a second behind Ireland’s Shane Breen, who rode Ipswich van de Wolfsakker into second.