Equestrian Dubai International Show: Dermott Lennon's winning streak from last week's Abu Dhabi horse show was halted in Dubai yesterday, with the world showjumping champion relegated to second place.
Lennon, whose first-round fault in the earlier Welcome Stakes had kept him out of the timed decider, looked set to win the Take Your Own Line when I Caesar swept into the lead in 35.08 seconds. But Abu Dhabi's Abdulla Ali Al Shuaibi clocked 33.57 to deny Lennon.
That reduced Lennon's earnings for the day to just under €1,000, but his appearance as the first world champion to compete in the UAE has generated massive media interest. A major sponsorship deal with a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family, plus a contract to train top riders in the Gulf over the next three years has eased the need to win big prize money, but it didn't stop Lennon winning four classes at Abu Dhabi and finishing as leading rider.
Every facility has been laid on for him during his two-week stay in the UAE, with the Dubai team physiotherapy providing treatments for the 34-year-old's shoulder that was injured following a fall at the World Cup in Gothenburg last April.
A break in concentration from Impact, Lennon's ride for the Welcome Stakes, resulted in the first element of the bogey white double of uprights dropping into the sand. Lennon missed the cut for the 10-horse jump-off, which was won by Nadia Taryam from Sharjah.
