Interview with the World Championships’ Silver Medalist : Abdullah Al Sharbatly – Part II
” What doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger ” is the motto of the former Vice – World Champion Abdullah Al Sharbatly. Part two of our interview continues where we mainly talk about some of the horses of the past and present each with a different, special & unique story … but they were all equally identical in one trait; that they were successful !
Read also about Al Sharbatly’s philosophy with buying and selling horses, and his opinion about the ” medals ” in our sport !
What happened before the World Games in Normandy? You had Tobalio in and then you decided not to start.
Yes that’s true. I thought there was no point, he wasn’t very young at that time and I didn’t want him to jump such a championship with so many rounds, which takes a lot from the horses. I really care about him, and I really love him so I decided not to take the risk and get him injured or something like that. Maybe, I was going to do well or win another medal but then I won’t have my horse anymore. He’s more important to me than the medal !
What was your story with Khaled Al Eid when you both got banned and then of course it got reduced by the International Court of Arbitration?
It was a controlled medication case that happened to both of us, it was very strange ! Someone definitely framed us and tried to get rid of us. This medication was never in our stable, we had a fantastic team of vets who had a lot of knowledge and would never do these mistakes. Every single medication that was given to our horses was written in a form and it was controlled by the Stable Manager, so how did this medication come near our horses?! It was a big question mark. Especially that it was before the Olympics, so it was very obvious that someone did that to us but we cannot prove it.
We went against the case immediately because the FEI gave us 8 months of suspension which was very harsh because some of the riders that had the same case in the past had to pay a financial penalty and some others had 2 months of suspension.
Of course the ones who didn’t follow up on their case maybe got 8 months but all the people who attended court, defended themselves and tried to find the truth got 2 months maximum. So we went to the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sports), and they looked into all the similar cases in the past in comparison to our case with our story, documents and witnesses and ruled in our favour with only 2 months suspension. Let’s face it, it was 0.00 – something % in the blood which was almost nothing, and it was not even affecting the performance of our horses or anything.
Photo Source : www.abdullahalsharbatly.net
Tell us about Goldex who was actually not a very big horse, but you managed to win so many big classes together.
I first tried Goldex when he was 7 – years old and I loved him a lot, but I didn’t buy him at that time. Days passed and Billy Twomey, who is a very good rider and friend, bought him and then I bought him from Billy, and he went really well for me. We won the Grand Prix of Syria, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Saudi Arabia, Gothenburg, the big class in Ghantoot, he was double clear in the Nations Cup – he was amazing! Then, my friend Mohamed Talaat gave me an offer for him, and I sold him after the World Cup finals.
Goldex had a great personality, with a lot of charisma. You could just look at him from far and you know that he’s a top horse.
Can you tell us also about the horse you won the Asian Games with : Callahan?
He was a great horse, he won a lot of ranking classes and within 5 months time he won around 200,000 euros in prize money, and then I sold him to one of my great friends Ahmed Hamcho, who is like a brother to me. I really loved that horse and I wasn’t going to sell him to anyone, but if the horse is with Ahmed then it’s just like he’s with me. Although I wanted this horse to stay in my stable, retire and then pass away with me because we had a fantastic relationship together and we clicked very well. He won everything, Grand Prixs, ranking classes, six-bars – everything !
Last year before Gijon, Ahmed Hamcho gave him to me (and I had just gotten out of an operation in London) and we immiediately won 2 ranking classes and once third place with more than 90 starters. It doesn’t happen so often that a horse goes to a five-star show and wins 2 out of 3 ranking classes.
Photo Source : www.saudiequestrian.com
You also bought & sold Vleut who was ridden by Edwina Tops – Alexander.
I actually didn’t ride him much, I had a lot of horses at that time so I sold him through one of my best friends Yehia Fahmy to Le Groupe France Elevage. I wanted this horse to breed, because with me he would have never had that opportunity, so like I said before, if someone gave me an offer which I think is reasonable, I would not hesitate. I really enjoy seeing my horses with other people. This is also part of horsemanship, if you really like the sport, you will enjoy seeing him with other people. But if you get jealous, you will always wish that it doesn’t go well for your horse’s new owners, which is very bad publicity for you.
So you once said that Andrea was also so special to you …
Most of the horses I had were special in their own way, but she has been sold to Yehia who will breed from her, and I hope she produces super stars just like her in the future.
Photo Source : www.abdullahalsharbatly.net
Another horse that we saw you lately with was Roso Au Crosnier. He’s owned by Omer Karaevli correct?
Yes, he is also a very good horse. I’d like to thank Omer for giving me one of his best horses. Roso is always really brave, scopey and always want to be careful. He has such a great character this horse!
With all the horses that you have, how do you arrange which horse goes to which show?
I actually make a plan, but it always changes. Horses wake up different every day, you can’t really tell how your horse will be next month for example. Just like human beings, tomorrow you can wake up stiff, lame or even feeling fantastic! That’s why I don’t make a long term plan for my horses, I only make one for a month because a lot can change during that month.
So, you have been in the Top 50 for 4 years now. How do you do that especially that you are based in Saudi Arabia?
Of course it’s extremely difficult. I have no sponsors and I support myself, and I as you know I do a lot of business so usually if you want to stay in the top 50 you shouldn’t sell your horses. I always believe that the “mother of the horses” will never die and that the “mother of the horses” is always pregnant – so you will always find good horses.
I am based in Saudi Arabia, yes and it’s far for the horses to keep going back & forth but they usually go to Europe in the summer to compete and then go back again.
What is more difficult to win: An Olympic medal or a World Championships medal?
Of course the World Championship medal, especially an individual is way more difficult! There are so many top riders on the top level that have been trying for 30 years (with the best horses and sponsors in the World) have never won an individual medal, yes a lot have a “ team” medal but not an individual.
At the WEG there is the Table C then two & two rounds and everything counts but with the Olympics you start on zero faults on the last day. So, if you think about it a rider can have two fences down every day with a bit of luck he can qualify to the last day and you win the Gold medal! The WEG requires so much consistency, if you have one down in the Nations Cup or in the individuals’ competition you are definitely out.
The Table C of the World Equestrian Games is already not easy, because you have to gallop, then you have to jump another four clear rounds and after that you have the Final Four where you ride horses that you don’t know and you have to prove yourself. In total (including the warm up round) it’s 10 rounds over 5 days with very big jumps – so it’s not easy at all actually (laughs).
Main Photo Source : www.globalchampionstour.com