The equestrian world has had an exceptional performance at the Asian Games 2023. The 19th edition of the Asian Games has concluded in Hangzhou, China. The event from the 23rd of September to the 8th of October, 2023 was some incredible historic performances from the athletes. The home country dominated the total medal tally and also made history after winning the gold medal in individual and team eventing in equestrian sport.

Equestrian sport, which was inducted into the games in 1982, saw growth with many new nations registering their performance at the games. This year, apart from traditional teams like Saudi Arabia, and Japan, the equestrian world witnessed a new team in the form of UAE breaking into the elite and claiming a medal after an impressive performance.

New equestrian power emerges in Asia

The United Arab Emirates equestrian team had a historic moment at the 2023 Asian Games. The years of hard work and effort have finally shown its result. After successful participation in summer in the European competitions, the Asian Games was their biggest test. According to the national news, during the showjumping competition, the Gulf neighbors locked their horns after the two rounds. Another jumpoff over a fence set 1.40m where the winner was decided. The UAE team was composed of Abdulla Al Marri, who rode James VDO Heihoef, Omar Al Marzouqi abroad Dalida Van De Zuuthoeve, Salem Al Suwaidi abroad Diamond Way and Mohamed Al Hajri abroad GS Fabian.

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All the teams jumped clear in the first two rounds. In the final round, the UAE team conceited penalties but enough to secure the third spot for the bronze medal. Saudi Arabia claimed the gold medal after faultless performance and Qatar claimed the silver medal. Speaking after winning the Bronze, Salem Al Suwaidi who had his first participation at the Asian Games, said, “It was a big challenge but a small and positive step in our journey to the 2024 Paris“. With the result, the team UAE qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The UAE’s incredible journey in the equestrian game didn’t stop there they added two more medals in the individual category to complete the historic run.

UAE equestrian shines in individual category

After winning the team bronze medal in the jumping event, the UAE riders were to focus on repeating the success in the individual category. The individual event turned out to be another historic feat for the country. Their youngest rider Omar Al Marzouqi rode Dalida VD Zuuthoeve, who claimed the silver medal after two double clear jumps and in the final jump had an incredible clear run in 42.3 seconds. His compatriot Abdulla Al Marri rode James VDO Heihoef attracted penalties in the first round. Still, he covered that up in second-round clear jumps, finishing the jump-off with a clear record in 42.45 seconds, thus claiming the bronze medal.

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The UAE had a historic achievement at the Asian Games in the equestrian sport category. This was their record performance and with the Olympics in sight, shall give an enormous boost to give their best at the world event.

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