REPORT FROM CSI CAIRO (EGY)
9th Mvenpick international Equestrian Competition
by Birgit Popp

The garden of the Mvenpick Hotel Cairo-Helipolis became an oasis of the international show jumping sport from January 10 - 16, 2004. After a seven-year-break the CSI Cairo revived with its ninth edition seeing 61 riders of 18 nations participating. In this unique event two days of choosing and training the horses in the Police Academy and three days of competition in the hotel garden were accompanied by sightseeing activities and a two-day-trip to the tourist center Sharm El Sheikh. The social part did not come short with a Welcome and a Farewell Party in the hotel and a Gala-Dinner given by the Egyptian Equestrian Federation during a Nile boat cruise.

Five Egyptian television stations plus the worldwide via satellite receivable station ART (Arabian Radio and Television) have been broadcasting live the three classes. Victory in the warm-up competition built by Hauke Schmidt (GER) went to the Dutch rider Marcel Goran aboard Watch Out ahead of Egypt's Andre Sakakini aboard Leonardo and his country-fellowman Islam Amr Eid aboard Sphinx. Victory in the Grand Prix was taken in the second round by Egypt's Karim Zohair El Sobky aboard Le Gatte in clear 43.58 seconds. Second place went to Belgian rider Francois Mathy Jr. aboard Darios (0/44.59) and third to the Egyptian General Ahmad El Sawaf aboard Meshmish Z (0/47.74). Second-best non-Egyptian rider became Alfredo Fernandez Duran, the Top Leading Rider 2003 of Spain, placing seventh aboard Crepe Suzette (4/44.73). For the team competition in manner of a Nations Cup the teams were drawn. The team competition was won by a team of three Egyptian riders plus the Italian rider Massimo Grossato.

With the FEI Secretary General Dr Bo Helander and the FEI Executive Board member Hanfried Haring, top officials of the international equestrian sports were present. Both were impressed by the organisation and the high quality of the event, as well as by the the participating Egyptian riders and horses.