Germany’s Christian Ahlmann, the CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix winner who captured major honours on the final day of the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines, receiving his trophy from Event Director and Organising Committee Member Omar Al Mann
Germany’s Christian Ahlmann is considered a calm rider with soft hands.
That very combination was witnessed in ample proportion yesterday when the 47-year-old guided Dominator 2000 Z to CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix win.
Producing a clean routine, Dominator 2000 Z clocked a time of 36.17 seconds in the jump-off of the 1.60m competition.
Ahlmann’s reward for a spectacular performance with the 11-year-old stallion was the top prize of €135,300.
The tall German, who won the FEI Show Jumping World Cup with Taloubet Z in 2011, yesterday remained flawless in the first two rounds also before clinching the issue in the jump-off scoring the fastest time under lights with his trademark calmness at the magnificent Longines Arena at Al Shaqab.
French rider Olivier Robert, astride Vivaldi des Meneaux, grabbed the second spot in a time of 36.27 seconds. Robert got richer by €82.000 after the jump-off that featured six riders.
Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels, in the saddle with Delux van T & L, posted a time of 36.82 seconds to seal the third spot. Bruynseels won €43.050.
The top five was completed by Germany’s Maurice Tebbel (Don Diarado, 37.81 seconds, 32,800) and Sweden’s Evelina Tovek (Winnetou de la Hamente Z, 38.33 seconds, €24,600).
French rider Julien Epaillard, winner of the CSI5* 1.45m class yesterday, receiving his award from Hussein Ali Al Abdulla, EGM & Chief Marketing Officer, Commercial Bank at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab.
Earlier in the day, French rider Julien Epaillard posted his second win of the event when he guided Safari d’Auge to a commanding victory in the 1.45m class.
Fifteen-year-old Safari d’Auge clocked a time of 67.99 seconds as Epaillard won the top prize of €6,350.
Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, astride Legend, secured the second spot worth €5,080. Legend, aged 10 years, clocked 70.53 seconds.
Dutch rider Maikel van der Vleuten also looked impressive with Kamara van’t Heike to finish third best. Kamara van’t Heike clocked 72.25 seconds as Van der Vleuten won €3,810.
Frenchman Robert (Elea Blue, 74.39 seconds, €2,540) and Norway’s Geir Gulliksen (VDL Groep Quatro, 74.45 seconds, €1,778) completed the top five from 12 riders.
Amir Sword star Al Qadi wins Big Tour
Last week’s Amir Sword winner Hamad Nasser Al Qadi yesterday exhibited brilliant riding form to win the Big Tour event on day three of Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab.
Al Qadi, this time astride Gibria-B, produced narrow lines to win the top prize of QR 11,250. Ten-year-old Gibria-B produced a calm but flawless ride in a time of 33.96 seconds in the jump-off. Al Qadi had 4 faults in the first run that ended with a time of 71.70 seconds. But the young Qatari - who won the prestigious Amir Sword last week at QEF’s Outdoor Arena - yesterday made up for the faults with a flawless routine in the jump-off.
“It was a hard class from the beginning. When I entered the last phase, my idea was to do a clear, safe round with reasonable speed. Thankfully, my plan worked, and I’m delighted with my performance,” Al Qadi said yesterday.
Faleh Suwead Al Ajami, who won the Amir Sword in 2019, yesterday grabbed the second spot with Ulano who finished with a time of 37.10 seconds. Al Ajami won QR9,000.
Saeed Nasser Al Qadi, astride Andreas SPB Z, secured third spot worth QR 6,750. Andreas SPB Z clocked 31.71 seconds but suffered because of 4 faults in the jump-off.
Khalid Sanad A S Al Nuaimi (Gop Stop, 4 faults, 32.88 seconds, QR 4,500) and Kyrgyzstan’s Kamil Sabitov (Carmen, 4 faults, 33.79 seconds, QR 3,150) completed the top five.
In the Open Class (1.15/1.20m), Qatari rider Mohammed Saeed Haidan, astride Quick Step, sealed the deal in a time of 58.12 seconds. Haidan won QR6,250.
Qatari rider Salmen Sultan A M Al Suwaidi, who was with Guilder’S Empire of the Sun, secured the second spot (59.06 seconds, QR5,000) while Ali Mohammed Al Marri, astride Apollon du Banney (59.86 seconds, QR3,750) finished third in run against the clock.
Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi (Cobold, 60.11 seconds, QR2,500) and Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi (Happy Tina, 60.74 seconds, QR 1,750) completed the top five.
Germany's Jessica sparkles again
Olympics star Jessica von Bredow-Werndl posted her second successive win by guiding 17-year-old bay Zaire-E to clinch the Grand Prix title as German riders dominated the day’s proceedings in dressage.
Producing a near-perfect routine, the 35-year-old German posted a score of 84.780 % to collect her second big paycheck of the three-day event. Jessica won €26,000. On Friday the German was named winner by three of the five judges to win the dressage Grand Prix.
Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg, who was in the saddle with Damsey FRH, secured the second spot (82.050 %). Langehanenberg won €21,000. Dorothee Schneider, also of Germany, grabbed the third place with 13-year-old Faustus (81.865 %) to claim the prize of €15,000.
Finland’s Henri Ruoste (Kontestro DB, 81.265 %, €10,000) and French rider Morgan Barbancon (Sir Donnerhall II Old, 78.655 %, €7,000) completed the top five.
