RIYADH, 19 May 2004 — Prince Faisal ibn Saud Al Shallan and Abdullah Albogmi claimed gold medals in Class A and Class B respectively as Kingdom riders made a near sweep of the medals on offer at the start of the International Challenge Cup at the Nawaf Equestrian and Archery Center here on Monday.

The two-day show jumping event was sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). More than 60 riders representing Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Lebanon, Italy and Saudi Arabia entered.

Equestrian true-blue fans and patrons, twin brothers Prince Naif ibn Fawaz Al Shallan and Prince Saud, presented medals during the prize distribution ceremony at the end of first day competitions.

“This is an FEI-recognized event that’s also being staged in other parts of the world to promote show jumping and discover new talents,” said Prince Naif.

Prince Faisal, 16, already a veteran international and world junior champion in 1999, was a joy to watch as he went about his routine aboard Cheakha in near flawless fashion.

His proud father, Prince Saud, and uncle, Prince Naif, broke into applause when he posted the first double clear of the day en route to the gold medal.

Fahd Al Joaid also went faultless in two rounds of negotiating the technical course on top of Malaq for the Class A silver, and Abdul Mutalif Alsherif, aboard Mulligan, completed a Kingdom sweep of the medals by winning the bronze.

Prince Abdullah ibn Miteb, son of assistant commander of National Guard for military affairs and horse owner Prince Miteb ibn Abdullah, placed fourth aboard Aldafer and Egypt’s Dhah Amro Bashir with Thaera came in fifth to round out the top five winners.

Only the Class B bronze won by Lebanon’s Sarry Garanoh aboard Sandman escaped the hosts whose first day successes include Class B silver by Saad Said Al Zahrani with Al Dorah and fourth and fifth places in the class by Bader Mosfer with Atalah and Moshal Alhamidi Alharbi with Nemah, respectively.

As in the first day riders in both classes show jump two rounds to determine the day’s winners and their accumulated fault points and times are to be computed for overall honors.

Abdullah Alamri of the Saudi Equestrian Federation said besides this international show local events including the Ministry of Agriculture Cup on Friday are ongoing at the NEAC.