Saturday, January 14, 2006

Thirteen Proves Lucky for Jessica Kurten in Dubai

The number 13, unlucky in many parts of the world, proved lucky for Jessica Kurten on Friday, 13th January, the final day of Al Maktoum Memorial Challenge. Thirteen went through to the jump-off in the richest class of the show, The Grand Prix, worth a staggering $250,000 to the winner.

Jessica and her superb mare Quibell, where drawn first in the running order for the class, which meant that she was the first of the thirteen starters in the jump-off but she led from start to finish. “When I finished the jump-off I thought that it was a really good round but not good enough. I thought I would be placed somewhere!” said Jessica “I sat in the stands with my family and friends and kept my fingers crossed. I was so nervous and started to shake when I got up into 5th place. This win is one of the biggest things ever for me.”Summing up the feelings of all the riders here she said “This whole show has been excellent for the sport.”

For the Arab league riders the climax of the show was this afternoon’s FEI World Cup Show Jumping Qualifier. The class gives riders the opportunity to win points towards qualification for the World Cup Finals this year being held in Kuala Lumpur in April. A tense final round had the big crowd on the end of its seats and was won in fine style by Mohd Osama El Borai from Egypt in a thrilling competition riding Nirvana.

By common consent the opening International class of the evening performance, The Six Bar, was one of the best of its type ever held. The class went the full five rounds and was in the end won jointly by Nick Skelton (GBR) and Alois Pollmann Schweckhorst (GER). Nick was riding Russell on whom he has never lost a Six Bar.