Jan Tops, Founder and President of Longines Global Champions Tour, and Hamad bin Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah, President of the Qatar and Asian Equestrian Federations, posing for a photograph with the podium winners of the Global Champions League Of Doha at Th
Experts say Delux van T & L is one of the finest horses on the circuit. If anyone had a doubt about the top billing of the 12-year-old gelding, it was put to rest by Niels Bruynseels at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab.
Competing against a top field, Bruynseels executed his plan to perfection to win the Doha Grand Prix on the final day of the opening round of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT), guiding Delux van T & L to a flawless routine under lights.
Delux van T & L clocked a time of 39.93 seconds in the jump off as the Belgian celebrated his superb win in the 1.60m class. Bruynseels won €123,750.
“Yes, I have no words for it actually. I have to thank my horse. He is really one of the best horses in the world,” Bruynseels said yesterday.
“He makes it happen for me. I was lucky in the jump off. He jumped amazing last week also. He felt so good. So I was thinking why he should ride on the first day here and then why should he jump again and again,” the tall Belgian added.
Grand Prix winner Niels Bruynseels guiding Delux van T & L over an obstacle during the Doha Grand Prix of the Longines Global Champions Tour at the Longines Arena At Al Shaqab, yesterday.
Bruynseels now gets a golden ticket to the LGCT play-offs in Prague in November.
“This (getting the ticket) is really important. To get the Prague ticket is really what I wanted. This championship is of the highest level in the world. It’s good to win the first leg,” he added.
Italy’s Lorenzo De Luca, astride Nuance Bleue VDM Z, secured the second spot worth €75,000. Keeping tight lines, Nuance Bleue VDM Z clocked 40.20 seconds.
Canada’s Eric Lamaze, in the saddle with Dieu Merci van T & L, finished in third place after clocking a time of 40.35 seconds. Lamazae won €56,250.
Bart Bles of the Netherlands (Kriskras DV, 42.16 seconds, €37,500) and German rider Christian Kukuk (Mumbai, 40.64 seconds, €22,500) completed the top five.
Earlier yesterday, Great Britain’s Scott Brash posted his second win in as many days when guided Hello Jefferson to victory in the 1.55m class. Hello Jefferson, age 12, clocked a time of 70.23 seconds as Brash won the top prize of €23,750.
Sweden’s and world number 4, Peder Fredrickson, astride Hansson WL, grabbed the second spot worth €19,000. Hansson WL clocked 70.47 seconds while competing against the clock. Fredrickson’s compatriot Henrik von Eckermann managed a flawless routine with King Edward to nail the third place on the podium.
King Edward clocked 70.66 seconds as Von Eckermann won €14,250.
Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt (Asathir, 71.71 seconds, €9,500) and compatriot Christian Ahlmann (Dominator 2000 Z, 72.20 seconds, €6,650) completed the top 5 in a field of 12 riders competing against the clock.
Maintaining their fine form from Thursday, Valkenswaard United yesterday clinched the first edition of the Global Champions League (GCL). Frericson (Hansson WL, 70.47 seconds) and Marcus Ehning (Stargold, 73.15 seconds) managed an overall time of 143.62 seconds. Valkenswaard United have 25 points after round 1.
Shanghai Swans (145.22 seconds) grabbed the second spot with Ahlmann (Dominator 2000 Z, 72.20 seconds) and Max Kuhner (Elektric Blue P, 73.02 seconds). Shanghai Swans have 25 points.
Berlin Eagles (150.06 seconds) secured the third place on the podium with Christian Kukuk (Mumbai, 78.35 seconds, 5 penalties) and Philipp Weishaupt (Asatahir, 71.71 seconds). Berlin Eagles have 21 points after the first round.
Nasser Al Ghazali wins Big Tour
Qatari rider Nasser Al Ghazali yesterday guided Quel Homme to a flawless routine to win the Big Tour title in front of cheering fans at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab.
Quel Homme, age 17, clocked a time of 35.68 seconds as Al Ghazali won the top prize of QR11,250.
Faris Saad Al Qahtani, astride Happy Feet, finished in second spot. Happy Feet finished in a time of 36.65 seconds as Al Qahtani won QR9,000.
Kamil Sabitov, a regular visitor to Doha, guided Carmen to third place in the big event of the domestic scene. Carmen clocked 37.54 seconds in the second phase as Sabitov won QR6,750.
Faleh Suwead, astride Demilione (37.66 seconds, QR4,500) and Mohammed Saeed Haidan, in the saddle with Carport (38.31 seconds, QR3,150) completed the top five.
