Daniel Deusser (centre) receiving an award after winning the 2020 Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix.
World No.3 Daniel Deusser of Germany lived up to his top billing yesterday when he won the 2020 Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix.
Deusser, astride Killer Queen Vdm, sealed the deal in the jump-off under lights in the 1.60m class.
Killer Queen Vdm, 10, clocked a time of 38.90 seconds in the premier competition of the popular three-day event.
Deusser, 38, won the top prize of €135,300 after sailing through two rounds prior to the feisty jump-off.
Austrian star Max Kuhner, in the saddle with Elektric Blue P, finished in second spot in a time of 39.39 seconds to win €82,000.
The third place on the podium went to France’s Roger Yves Bost (Sangria du Coty, 39.68 seconds, €43,050).
“It feels great to win this event. Killer Queen has long strides and she runs tight lines,” Deusser said yesterday.
“I had never won this GP,” Deusser said.
“It was pretty tough today, but my horse did great. I’m really happy. This ring with long lines is very nice for her. She won with her big canter today.
“I am looking forward to some quality competition after this,” he added.
Germany’s Christian Ahlmann (Dominator 2000 Z, 39.90 seconds, €32,800) and Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts (Katanga V/H Dingeshof, 40.11 seconds, €24,600) completed the top five out of 18 entries.
Earlier on the final day of the three-day equestrian competition, Swedish rider Annika Axelsson powered to a commanding win with Haloubet Hitchcock to clinch the honours in the 1.45m class.
Haloubet Hitchcock clocked a time of 59.44 seconds as Axelsson claimed the top prize of €6,350.
Dutch rider Jur Vrieling, astride Fiumicino van de Kalevallej, sealed the second spot. Vrieling won €5,080 after a flawless ride by the nine-year-old gelding (60.75 seconds). French rider Titouan Schumacher finished the competition in third spot as Eliot Brimbelles Z clocked a time of 60.81 seconds. Schumacher won €3,810.
Dutchman Maikel van der Vlueten (Edinburg, 61.33 seconds, €2,540) and Belgium’s Nicola Phillppaerts (J’Adore van het Schaeck, 61.41 seconds, €1,778) completed the top five.
In a commanding performance, Dressage rider Kate Dwyer created a bit of history by becoming the first Irish rider to win at Grand Prix Special (five-star level).
Competing at the indoor arena at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, Dwyer powered 14-year-old gelding Snowdon Faberge to a personal best tally (70.043%) to grab the top prize of €5,882.
“I am so, so pleased with Fabio (Snowdon Faberge) today,” Dwyer said after the presentation ceremony.
“The feeling he gave me in the ring was amazing. The whole test felt much more confident and I really feel we showed a lovely harmony which is so important in Dressage.
“I am delighted with his performance and I know this is only the tip of the iceberg of what he can give me,” Dwyer said.
Also yesterday, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel, astride Delaunay Old, clinched the Dressage Grand Prix (freestyle) title.
Delaunay Old won after the judges gave the 14-year-old 79.290 percent.
“I went here with the goal of being among the top three and we really succeeded. I’m really happy. You can’t be more than happy when you win,” the Swedish national team star said.
Delaunay, who has not been seen in action since featuring in the World Cup in Lyon at the end of October-November last year, showed no rustiness yesterday.
“I had a much better feeling today. ‘Dude’ came more into the program and relaxed in a different way,” Kittel added.
“Overall, all riders rode much better today. It was really a good class,” Kittel said.
Meanwhile, in the Big Tour class of the Hathab Longines Series yesterday, Uzbekistan’s Abdushukur Sobirjonov guided Demilion to glory.
Clocking a time of 44.56 seconds in the 1.45m category, Sobirjonov bagged the top prize of QR8,750.
Qatar’s Hamad Nasser Al Qadi, astride S I E C Lonnie, secured the second spot in a time of 46.70 seconds in the winning round. Al Qadi got richer by QR7,000.
Promising Qatari rider Salman Mohammed Al Emadi sealed the third spot with Zorro Z (48.74 seconds, QR5,250).
Okil Sobirjonov (Quatro Junior, QR3,500) and Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi (Casal Des Forets, QR2,450) completed the top five.
In the Open Class (two-phased), Qatar’s Mohammed Saeed Haidan guided Miss Chili with purpose to land the top prize of QR 3,750.
Miss Chili clocked a time of 26.28 seconds in round two.
The second spot was secured by Alqaqa Adel Nassar who was astride Dubaii. Nassar won QR3,000 after Dubaii clocked QR 27.17 seconds.
French entry Cyrine Cherif also grabbed a podium finish with Brennus Villelongue (28.36 seconds). Cherif won QR3,250.
Qatar’s Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi (Dark Dalida, QR1,500) and compatriot Hamad Nasser Al Qadi (Happy Tina, QR1,050) completed the top five in the 1.20m class.
