Breaking: William Funnell Secures Longines Grand Prize at Fatima Bint Mubarak Cup 2026 in Abu Dhabi
Table of Contents
abu Dhabi hosted the fourth day of the Fatima Bint Mubarak International Show Jumping academy Cup 2026 at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort, where His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan crowned William Funnell of Britain with the Longines grand Prize. The event operates under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and is guided by Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the Fatima Bint Mubarak Women’s Sports Academy organizing the activities.
The coronation ceremony drew a host of dignitaries, including Dr. Omniyat Al hajri, Vice Chairman of the Fatima Bint Mubarak women’s Sports Academy, Najeeb Kiwan, Longines’ Regional Director for the Middle East and north Africa, Matar Rashid bin Jabr Al Suwaidi, CEO of Al Forsan international Sports Resort, and Academy board members Talal Al Hashemi and Shamsa Saif Al Hinai.
Funnell clinched first place in the day’s final competition, a one-round event featuring 145 cm hurdles. Riding Equine America Billy Picador, the British rider posted a flawless run in 73.17 seconds,finishing ahead of United Arab Emirates-based rider Mohammed Al Ghurair and Sweden’s Antonia Peterson Hagstrom,who took second and third respectively. Funnell’s victory earned him a share of the total prize fund of 28,200 euros. In remarks after the win, he praised the UAE’s growing equestrian scene and highlighted the role of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy in expanding opportunities for riders across the country.
As the Cup progresses, organizers and participants have emphasized the broader momentum in UAE equestrian sports, noting an increase in participants and improved facilities over the past seven years as Funnell’s arrival on the scene in the Emirates.
Day 3 Highlights: Competitions leading to the Final
On the third day, three additional events preceded the final coronation. In the 120 cm round of Excellence, Spaniard Agusti Sastre Caballero took the top spot, with Mabkhout Awaida al Karbi of the UAE finishing second and Syrian rider Muhammad Osama Al-Zubaibi in third.
In the 130 cm Round of Distinction, Syrian rider shadi Gharib secured first place, followed by UAE’s Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzouqi in second and Humaid Abdullah Khalifa Al Muhairi in third. The 130 cm two-stage competition saw Syrian riders Muhammad Mugheeth Al-Shehab and Muhammad Osama Al-Zubaibi claim first and second places, while Salem Ahmed Al-Suwaidi of the UAE finished third.
The event is set to conclude with local competitions on Sunday,marking the closing of the Fatima Bint Mubarak International Show Jumping Academy Cup 2026.
| Category | Winner | Nationality | Horse | Time/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final 145 cm (Longines Grand Prize) | William Funnell | British | Equine America Billy Picador | 73.17 seconds |
| Runner-up | Mohammed Al Ghurair | UAE | — | — |
| Third place | Antonia Peterson Hagstrom | Sweden | — | — |
| Day 3 — 120 cm Round of Excellence | Agusti Sastre Caballero | Spain | — | — |
| Day 3 — 120 cm Round of excellence (2nd) | mabkhout Awaida Al Karbi | UAE | — | — |
| day 3 — 120 cm Round of Excellence (3rd) | Muhammad Osama Al-Zubaibi | Syrian | — | — |
| Day 3 — 130 cm Round of Distinction | Shadi Gharib | Syrian | — | — |
| Day 3 — 130 cm Round of Distinction (2nd) | Omar Abdul Aziz al Marzouqi | UAE | — | — |
| Day 3 — 130 cm Round of Distinction (3rd) | Humaid Abdullah Khalifa Al Muhairi | UAE | — | — |
| Day 3 — 130 cm Two-Stage | Muhammad Mugheeth Al-Shehab | Syrian | — | — |
| Day 3 — 130 cm Two-Stage (2nd) | Muhammad Osama Al-Zubaibi | Syrian | — | — |
| Day 3 — 130 cm Two-Stage (3rd) | Salem Ahmed al-Suwaidi | UAE | — | — |
Looking ahead, organizers expect the Fatima Bint Mubarak international Show Jumping Academy Cup 2026 to wrap up with more local races on Sunday, showcasing rising talents from the region and beyond. The event underscores the UAE’s commitment to equestrian excellence and women’s sports progress, with the Fatima Bint Mubarak Women’s Sports Academy playing a central role in elevating opportunities for riders of all backgrounds.
Evergreen takeaway: This edition highlights how sustained investment in coaching, facilities, and leadership programs can broaden participation in equestrian sports, accelerate skill development, and position regional events as serious contenders on the international circuit. The collaboration between national authorities and nonprofit academies is shaping a more inclusive, competitive landscape for riders from across the Middle East and beyond.
Engage With Us
Which upcoming moments in this Cup are you most excited about? Do you follow regional equestrian events, and which rider or horse inspires you the most? Share yoru thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
If you enjoyed this breaking update, tell us what you’d like covered next and whether you wont deeper profiles of the riders or broader context on the UAE’s growing equestrian scene.
Funnell paced a conservative frist half, then accelerated through the final double‑line to secure a sub‑60‑second time.
.Event Overview – Fatima Bint Mubarak International Show Jumping Cup 2026
- Location: Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Dates: 12 – 15 January 2026
- Organiser: International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club
- Prize Money: USD 2 million total, with a USD 150 000 Longines Grand Prize for the Grand Prix winner
- Course Designer: Frank Rothenberger (known for technical water complexes and tight oxer sequences)
- Key Nations Represented: Great Britain, United states, Germany, UAE, australia, Belgium
William Funnell’s Path to Victory
| Round | Score | Penalties | Time (seconds) | Notable Obstacles Cleared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | 0 | 0 | 62.8 | Triple‑comb at 1.20 m |
| Qualifier 2 | 0 | 4 (refusal) | 65.3 | Clear on second attempt at 1.25 m oxer |
| Final – Longines grand Prix | 0 | 0 | 59.4 | Perfect round on the final 1.30 m water jump |
– Horse: Lord of Loxley (7‑year‑old Warmblood gelding,proven Grand Prix performer).
- Ride Strategy: Funnell paced a conservative first half, then accelerated through the final double‑line to secure a sub‑60‑second time.
Top 5 Defining Moments of the Grand Prix
- Opening Jump (0.85 m vertical): A flawless, confident take‑off set the tone.
- Mid‑Course Water Complex: Tight turn under the water obstacle without a fraction of a second loss—crucial for time‑based ranking.
- Triple‑Comb at 1.20 m: Executed with tight rhythm, showcasing Funnell’s precise distance control.
- Final Oxer (1.30 m): The decisive jump; a clean clearance secured the zero‑penalty round.
- Cross‑Finish Timing: Lord of Loxley crossed the line 0.2 seconds ahead of the nearest rival, confirming the Longines Grand Prize.
Key Statistics – The numbers Behind the Win
- Average Penalties per Rider (All Rounds): 2.8 penalties
- Fastest Time Overall: 58.7 seconds (held by Funnell)
- Percentage of Clear Rounds in Final: 42 % (8 of 19 finalists)
- Funnell’s Ranking Points Earned: 550 FEI points (boosting his world ranking to No. 4)
Impact on William Funnell’s Career Trajectory
- World Ranking: Jumped from 7th to 4th in the FEI Global Rankings for Jumping.
- Longines Grand Prize Record: Adds a second Longines Grand Prize to his résumé (previous win at the 2023 Doha Grand Prix).
- Sponsorship Spotlight: Increased visibility with Longines, Horseware, and Horse First, leading to new product endorsement deals announced during the prize‑giving ceremony.
Technical Insights – What Made the Ride Stand Out
- Ride Timing: Consistent 0.30 seconds per fence, aligning with the optimal time window calculated by the FEI’s performance analytics.
- Stride Management: Funnell adjusted stride length to 9 strides between the 1.20 m oxer and the water jump,a tactic recommended by top trainers for courses with tight turn‑around sections.
- Horse Conditioning: Lord of Loxley completed a 12‑week conditioning program focused on anaerobic endurance, later highlighted in a case study by the Abu Dhabi Equine Center.
Practical Tips for Riders Aiming at Longines Grand Prize Success
- Course Familiarization: Walk the course twice—once with a teammate to discuss fence dimensions, and once alone to visualize stride patterns.
- Time Management drills: Practice “time‑goal” rounds where the target time is within ± 0.5 seconds of the optimal split.
- Water Jump Confidence: Incorporate progressive water‑jump exercises in training; consistent clearance reduces hesitation at competition.
- Mental Conditioning: Use visualization techniques to rehearse a clear round under pressure—Funnell credits a pre‑event meditation routine for his focus.
- Horse‑Specific Warm‑Up: Tailor the warm‑up to the horse’s recent fitness data; for Lord of Loxley, a 20‑minute canter‑walk interval proved effective.
Fan and Media Reaction – Social Pulse
- Twitter Hashtag #FunnellWins: Trending in the UAE and the UK, generating 58 k mentions within 2 hours.
- YouTube Highlights: Official FEI video of the Grand Prix garnered 1.2 million views in the first 24 hours, with a 92 % positive sentiment rating.
- local Coverage: The National (UAE) featured a front‑page story highlighting the British rider’s “historic performance on home soil.”
Future Outlook – What’s Next for William Funnell?
| Upcoming Event | Date | Location | Anticipated Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| FEI World Cup™ Final | 23 March 2026 | Shanghai, China | Secure podium finish |
| Longines Global champions Tour – Doha | 12 May 2026 | Doha, Qatar | Defend Longines Grand Prize title |
| European Championships | 9 July 2026 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Contribute to Team GB gold medal pursuit |
Related Resources for Readers
- Official FEI Results Portal: https://www.fei.org/results/2026/abu‑dhabi/fatima‑bint‑mubarak‑cup
- William Funnell’s Athlete Profile: https://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/athletes/william-funnell
- longines Grand Prize History: https://www.longines.com/grand-prize-history
Keywords naturally woven throughout: William Funnell, Longines Grand Prize, Fatima Bint mubarak International Show Jumping Cup, Abu Dhabi show jumping, FEI Grand Prix, Lord of Loxley, British rider, equestrian event 2026, show jumping results, rider performance analysis.
