a90784b241158210VgnVCM100000e56411acRCRDapproved/thenational/Articles/Migration/2010-02UAE top the podium again990784b241158210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____Al Marri's faultless ride sees the hosts pick up a second first prize at the showjumping championship at Ghantoot.<p>GHANTOOT // Abdulla al Marri picked up a second first prize for the UAE in the Five-Star Nations and President's Cup showjumping championship after Nadia Taryam had bagged the opening day's honours in the three-day event. Al Marri rode a faultless round yesterday on Vallee D'Alezan VD Blauwaerled, the 12-year-old mare, to lead a podium sweep for the host nation in the Ghantoot Trophy, a CSI1* Accumulator Jumping, at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club. He clocked 51.70 seconds to win from compatriots Abdul Rahman al Kaabi on Feline S (52.83) and Abdul Rahman al Habsi aboard Nemises Balliere (53.08).</p> <p>"It's a really nice feeling to receive a prize on the big stage," said al Marri. "This competition was more of a regional event yet it was on an international stage and achieved in front of some of the world's best riders. It's a great feeling." Gerco Schroder, of the Netherlands, took the Dubai Speed Cup CSI5* for Speed and Handiness Jumping on Eurocommerce Milano, the 16-year-old mare, and Abdullah al Sharbatly, the Saudi rider on Goldex, took the CSI5* Maximus Air Cargo qualifier GP against the clock.</p> <p>"This championship has provided a great opportunity for us from the region to compete against some of the world's best," said al Sharbatly. "Obviously I am delighted with the result and to get the better of a high quality field. I just kept thinking that I can match the best in the world. I have ridden this horse in the CSI World Cup qualifier and he gave me a great ride." Al Sharbatly clocked 1 minute 09.56 seconds to get the better of Clarissa Crotta (1min 15.41secs) of Switzerland on the gelding West Side V. Meerputhoeve and the Swede Henrik von Eckermann (1min 17.81secs) on Rocketman.</p> <p>The three-day championship for a total purse of €500,000 (Dh2.55 million) concludes with today's CSI5* President's Cup, which gets underway at 4pm. @Email:apassela@thenational.ae</p> 149YYSPORT2010020500000020100205000000100ARhttp://adedit.ad.atl.publicus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100205/SPORT/7020598070702059807201002051000000006c2eae39c7258210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____990784b241158210VgnVCM100000e56411ac____e9417fdfa2448210VgnVCM100000e56411acRCRD