It is the second time that rider, who was born in Egypt and now rides for Belgium, Abdel Saïd has competed at the CHIO Aachen. Today, he won his first gold rosette at the Soers in the STAWAG Prize.

Thanks to a 14-year-old French-bred mare called Arpege du Ru, who carried him to victory in a time of 63.04 seconds in the STAWAG-Prize, a 1.50-metre jumping competition. Just like yesterday Richard Vogel came second again with Cydello. Today, the pair reached the finish line in 63.45 seconds leaving McLain Ward (USA) behind them again, as in the Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe on Wednesday evening. Ward had saddled the eleven-year-old OS mare First Lady by Don Diarado, who Justine Tebbel brought on into the sport before the mare was sold to Ward in the United States in 2021, only to return to compete in Aachen three years later.

Abdel Saïd and his Apache d’Adriers daughter have been a team for five and a half years already and have notched up diverse victories together. But Said explained that winning here in Aachen today is something special. He was above all delighted for his mare. “She is incredible! She always gives 1000 percent in every class!” Which is why he was very confident when he entered the ring in the STAWAG-Prize: “Well, after all, we are here to in. Whether I had expected it – I have a good horse, I am not the worst of riders, so, at least I’d hoped to!” And he certainly reached his goal.

Arpege du Ru now has some time off. She has made her contribution towards her rider celebrating a successful weekend. Said now hopes to qualify for the Grand Prix on Sunday with the two horses he has brought to Aachen with him for the Big Tour.