Azerbaijan’s sole showjumper wins in Aachen

Jamal Rahimov won the Prize of Soers, an international penalties/time competition, with his 11-year-old Belgian stallion, Excenel (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Landetto). Rahimov crossed the finish line clear in a time of 63.14 seconds, with second place going to Turkey’s Omer Karaevli on Dadjak ter Puttenen. The combination were clear but almost a second slower, with Italian rider Daniele Augusto da Rios third with the stallion Baedeker.

Twelve of the 28 riders starters competed the single round competition on Friday without any faults.

Rahimov, 27, is the only rider competing in Aachen for Azerbaijan, but has represented his country twice at Olympic level. Rahimov, who lives near Antwerp, said: "I would like to make the equestrian sport more well-known in Azerbaijan!”

After his victory in Aachen, he may have come a step closer to that aim.