Emirati Victory in the Visit Portugal Grand Prix at the Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Lisbon

The Visit Portugal Grand Prix brought the 2026 edition of the Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Lisbon to a close, after three days of competition at the Portuguese Equestrian Society. The event concluded with victory for a rider from the United Arab Emirates: Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi aboard “Chacco Bay”.

Two brilliant clear rounds secured victory for Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi and his powerful stallion “Chacco Bay” in the Visit Portugal Grand Prix, contested over a demanding course of 13 obstacles featuring one double and one triple combination. Only five horse-and-rider combinations managed to complete the first round without penalties. The Team Al Shira’aa rider delivered another faultless round in the jump-off, stopping the clock in 38.43 seconds to defeat France’s Edouard Chauvet, who finished in 39.42 seconds with “Zia Mia de la Bonn Z”.

They were the only two double-clear combinations in the jump-off. Duarte Seabra finished third with “Dourados 2” after knocking down the Portuguese Equestrian Society vertical. American rider Kady Abrahamson also finished on four faults in fourth place aboard “Coquelicot VH Heuvelland Z”, while Pedro Veniss placed fifth after his chestnut “Nimrod de Muze Imperio Egipcio” stopped at the penultimate fence just as victory seemed within reach.

Two Spanish representatives narrowly missed out on the jump-off, both finishing on four faults after a single rail down: Eduardo Álvarez Aznar, seventh with “Harlequin des Flagues”, and Jesús Garmendia, ninth with “Caramel Blue PS”.

Dr. Carla Simões, Director of Territorial Marketing and Business at Visit Portugal, presented the trophy to Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi as winner of the Grand Prix. Also taking part in the prize-giving ceremony were Bruno Rente, President of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation (FEP); José Manuel Figueiredo, President of the Portuguese Equestrian Society (SHP); Álvaro Arrieta, President of Oxer Sport; and Antonio Frutuoso de Melo, Director of the Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Lisbon.

The ceremony marked the conclusion of the 2026 edition of the Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Lisbon, an event distinguished by both sporting success and strong public attendance, while recapturing the traditional warm atmosphere of Lisbon’s historic competition.

Tribute to Marina Frutuoso de Melo

Before the jump-off of the Visit Portugal Grand Prix, an emotional and heartfelt tribute took place in the CSIO3* Lisbon arena in recognition of Marina Frutuoso de Melo, a rider with a long and distinguished career in show jumping. The Portuguese Equestrian Society and the Portuguese Equestrian Federation, represented by their respective presidents, together with Filipa Cília, Vice-President of the host club, presented Marina Frutuoso de Melo with a commemorative plaque. The ceremony was rewarded with a warm standing ovation from the audience.

Porsche Trophy for Ricardo Gil Santos

Before the Visit Portugal Grand Prix at the Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Lisbon, the Porsche Trophy took place, appropriately held as a speed class under Table C rules in keeping with the sponsor’s spirit. Speed was certainly on display, particularly from three riders separated by only a few hundredths of a second in the fight for the podium.

The trio were the only riders to complete Bernardo Cabral’s course in under 60 seconds. Victory went to Ricardo Gil Santos aboard “Quanta Fortuna 2” in 59.60 seconds. Just 0.29 seconds behind in second place was young Italian rider Tommaso Gerardi with “Itamorkus”, while another Portuguese rider, Hugo Carvalho, finished third aboard “Nau-N” in 59.96 seconds.

The winner received the trophy from Nuno Carmo Costa, Marketing Manager of Porsche Ibérica, accompanied during the ceremony by Antonio Frutuoso de Melo, Director of Al Shira’aa CSIO Lisbon, and José Manuel Figueiredo, President of SHP.

Portuguese Equestrian Society Trophy

The first class on the closing day of the Al Shira’aa CSIO3* Portugal was the Portuguese Equestrian Society Trophy, reserved for members of the Lisbon club. Victory against the clock went to María Inés Sequeiros riding “Ballerina Girl DVO Z”. Her faultless round in 56.63 seconds secured the win ahead of Leonor Azevedo e Silva with “Elegant D’Harmonie” (58.34), while Antonio Roque finished third with “Gaspar 7” (59.23).