This highly coveted event will see the very best of the UAE dressage riders compete internationally, as participating countries were divided into regional groups, with the UAE once again taking on Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Turkey in FEI Zone 4.

All competitors were giving it their best efforts, which was shown in the results for the evening.

The Elementary class saw a hat trick win for the so-far-unbeatable pair Cristina Calin-Thompson riding Apollo’s Mastermind. Calin-Thompson mentioned she was impressed with the gelding who last night scored his highest percentage to date 69.8%.

It was a close competition over all with less than 2% between the top three riders. Lesley Jones and her mare Kengarth Danielle placed second and Franck Fogarolo, riding for the EEC, came third on the talented all rounder Dans Boy.

Fogarolo, not content with his third place, upped the ante and won the Novice class on Dans Boy with the highest score of the evening, an impressive 74.5%.

Lesley Jones and Kengarth Danielle took their second runner-up rosette for the evening, a mere 0.4% behind Fogarolo. Tanja Bornmann finished third on her mare Excelsia Royal.

Young rider Charlotte Drakeley showed her worth, taking the spoils in the highest class held for the evening. Drakeley showed impressive half-pass work to clinch the win on her new horse, man-of-the-moment Ronaldo.

Manuela Gruss riding her consistent New Forest pony Niklaus was only a few points behind, taking second place with Emirates Equestrian centre’s Christopher Cyra taking third place on the leggy warm blood gelding Woody Allen.

Janice Jackson made her presence felt last night as she won the Medium class with 68.6% on her stunning Dutch-bred sport horse Vedo. Jackson had been off the scene for the last month and said it was nice to make a comeback with such a positive result.

Joanne Ivimey was relegated to second place last night with an uncharacteristically tense test on her star Archimedes. Christel Langlois finished in third place with the Arabian stallion RS Kahraman who is staying very competitive as he moves up the levels.

The first Pure Bred Arab class of the season was held last night, producing a worthy winner in EEC’s Amanda Brewer and her striking liver chestnut Mutamayaz.

Second and third places were awarded to the Wrsan Farm Lamhireche brothers, Ebrahim and Mohammed riding Al Khattar W’Rsan and Al Mijlas W’Rsan respectively.

The Moroccan brothers, aboard the same mounts, further stepped up their efforts to take the honours in the Preliminary Seniors class. Ebrahim and Al Khattar W’Rsan won with 69.6% followed closely by stable mate Al Mijlas W’Rsan on 68.6%. Jennifer Murray of Desert Palm Stable rode a steady test to take the third.

Madeleine Drakeley won her third Preliminary Juniors class on the trot, managing to score above 70%. Madeline will be tough to beat in the coming FEI Juniors class. Karin Linbom and her Akhal Teke mare Mer Mer came second and Cyndi Faber riding the big grey Boeing placed third.

The next competition is the UAE round of the FEI World Dressage Challenge and will be held on December Saturday 12th at the Emirates Equestrian Centre and entry to watch is free of charge.