Abdullah AlSharbatly will face the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 with the experience of an extensive international career and with the pride of once again defending the colours of Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi rider, one of the most recognised names in show jumping in his country, has shared with Chacco Marketing some of the moments that have shaped his career, from his first steps on horseback to his major championships, via two fundamental partners in his recent history: Alamo and Diriyah (Dubai du Cèdre).
His relationship with horses began practically in childhood. AlSharbatly recalls being surrounded by them from a very young age and starting to ride at just six years old. Very soon, his competitive spirit also emerged.
«I always had a huge love for horses and for competing. Ever since I was a child I wanted to do well, I wanted to win and I was always keeping an eye on the results,» he recalls.
That passion ultimately turned into a top-level international career, in which he has represented Saudi Arabia in some of the most important arenas in the world. Among the memories he holds particularly dear is the 2010 World Championship, where he won the individual silver medal, becoming world runner-up.
Two years later came another of the great milestones of his career: the team bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. These are joined by numerous successes in Asian championships and victories in five-star Grand Prix events around the world.
However, for AlSharbatly the results take on a special meaning when they arrive representing Saudi Arabia.
«It is a pleasure and means the world to me to wear my country's jacket and represent Saudi Arabia. It is a great honour and I am always proud to do so. I try to represent my country in the best possible way,» he explains.
The Saudi acknowledges that some of his most important victories have come precisely defending those colours and asserts that those moments are among the happiest of his life.
Within a career with numerous horses, Álamo occupies a very special place. AlSharbatly does not hesitate to define him as one of the best partners he has ever had.
«Álamo is one of the best horses I've ever had in my life. He was an incredible horse, a true fighter, with a huge amount of talent. He is a superstar. I love him very much and he will always be one of my favourites.
The rider had already been following the horse's career for years before it arrived at his stables. He had observed its development with previous riders and, subsequently, its time with the Spaniard Sergio Álvarez Moya, with whom he maintains a good relationship.
«I always followed Álamo. I had seen him since I was eight years old, then I saw him with Steve and later with Sergio. I had always liked him and wanted to buy him. Sergio is also a good friend of mine.
Finally, Alamo was acquired so that AlSharbatly could compete with him within the Saudi federation project, initiating a partnership that quickly began to yield results.
The rider himself recalls that one of their first competitions together ended with a victory in a Nations Cup. Shortly afterwards there would also come a crucial result within the Olympic qualification process and, subsequently, triumphs in five-star Grands Prix.
Among them all, he holds a particularly fond memory of a major victory in Qatar.
«Securing Olympic qualification and winning that five-star Grand Prix in Qatar were some of our best moments. Álamo was my best friend.
Now, another mare occupies a fundamental place in his career. Dubai du Cèdre, currently Diriyah, has become one of the Saudi's great companions.
Before beginning her time with AlSharbatly, the mare had already demonstrated her quality at the highest international level alongside Frenchman Julien Epaillard. The Saudi had been following her progress for some time and was convinced she could become an exceptional partner.
«I followed her from the beginning and always believed that if I managed to get her, we could achieve great results together. That was one of the main reasons I bought her.
Time has reinforced that first impression.
«She is a superstar. I always believed in her and I believe we will still have many victories together because she has something magical about her.
But AlSharbatly insists that building a partnership does not depend solely on the work done on the track. With a sensitive mare like Diriyah, he considers it essential to establish a relationship based on trust and time spent together outside of training.
«You have to spend a lot of time with the horse. Not just ride it. You have to be with it in the stable, become its friend and create a connection.
Therefore, the Saudi has dedicated many hours to getting to know Diriyah outside of competitions: accompanying her in the field, stroking her, offering her treats, and doing different activities with her.
«I tried to spend a large part of the day with her, make her happy, ride in the countryside and share time together. The relationship developed very quickly.
With that accumulated experience and an increasingly consolidated relationship with Diriyah, Abdullah AlSharbatly is now preparing for a major new international challenge: Aachen 2026.
After a career that already includes a world runner-up finish, an Olympic medal and five-star Grand Prix victories, the Saudi rider will return to competition with a goal that, as he acknowledges, continues to thrill him in the exact same way as at the beginning: to represent his country in the best possible way.
Aachen will now write a new chapter in a trajectory marked by major championships, but also by an idea that AlSharbatly repeats when speaking of his best horses: behind every result lies a relationship built on time, trust and friendship.
