UAE’s Omar Al Marzooqi makes history as youngest rider in World Championship 2026 final
Paris Olympian finishes 11th after another faultless performance in Germany
AACHEN, Germany – UAE rider Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi has secured a place in the FEI Jumping World Championship Individual Final after producing a flawless performance in Aachen.
The 23-year-old Paris 2024 Olympian and his horse Enjoy de la Mure completed a clear round under the lights on Friday evening.
The result also made Al Marzooqi the youngest rider to qualify for Sunday’s decisive contest.
Strong showing
Returning to Aachen’s Main Stadium after clear and four-fault rounds earlier in the championship, Al Marzooqi delivered when qualification was at stake. He and Enjoy de la Mure produced a faultless performance in the Second Individual Qualifier, strengthening their position among the leading combinations.
The pair now sit 11th overall on a championship score of 5.01 penalties, placing them comfortably inside the top 25 combinations that advance to the Individual Final.
Al Marzooqi’s campaign has seen the partnership with Enjoy de la Mure maintain a strong level of consistency across the demanding competition. Their latest clear round secured the UAE rider’s place among the world’s leading showjumpers competing in Aachen.
Individual Final
The Individual Final is scheduled for Sunday, 23 August, at 14:20 CEST in the Main Stadium, where Al Marzooqi will compete against the top qualifying combinations.
Earlier on Friday, two other young UAE riders also produced clear rounds in the opening CSIY competition. Seventeen-year-olds Mabkhout Owaida Alkirbi and Mohammad Saeed Al Ghurair both completed faultless performances at Aachen, highlighting the UAE’s strong presence among the emerging showjumping talent at the event.
Al Marzooqi will now focus on recovery and preparation before returning to the Main Stadium for Sunday afternoon’s final.