French show jumper Julien Epaillard arriving at the presentation ceremony after completing a hat-trick of wins within a span of two days in Doha.
Four competitions and three wins with two horses. That’s what French show jumping star Julien Epaillard has achieved in a matter of just two days at the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab presented by Longines.
After posting two superb finishes on day one, the 42-year-old yesterday relied on his trusted aide Virtuose Champeix to seal another classy win under pressure at his favourite hunting ground in the jump-off of the 1.55m competition.
On the first day of the three-day five-star show, Epaillard stormed to two wins - first with Alibi de la Roque in the two-phased 1.45m class and then with Virtuose Champeix in the 1.55m class.
Last year at the same venue, Epaillard won the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix with Usual Suspect d’Auge.
Epaillard yesterday continued with his fine form - just when it mattered - in the jump-off of the day’s feature event at the imposing Longines Arena at Al Shaqab.
“Yes, it was an amazing show. My horses are in top form. I did not have the best control in the jump-off but I am very happy,” Epaillard said yesterday.
“I wish I could get the (CHI Al Shaqab) trophy. I would like that. My horse is only 10 years old. Not so much experience for the moment but we will try and do the best,” Epaillard said.
After clocking a time of 75.55 seconds in the first round, Epaillard retained tight lines in the jump-off to close his win with a time of 33.41 seconds.
The Frenchman picked up the top prize of €48,939.
Austrian rider Max Kuhner, astride Elektric Blue, was a close second (78.44 and 33.81 seconds, €29,660).
British show jumping star Scott Brash wrapped up the podium finish in a time of 34.11 seconds after clocking 78.56 in the first round. Brash won €22,245.
Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (Seringat, €11,864) and Sweden’s Henrik Von Eckermann (Best Boy 2) shared the fourth spot after finishing in an identical time 34.84 seconds in the jump-off.
Earlier yesterday, Swiss rider Jane Richard Philips yesterday guided Kenia van ‘ T Laerhof to a flawless routine to win the 1.50m show jumping event.
The Evilard-born rider pulled off a neat win with her 10-year-old mare to bag the top prize of €10.220. Kenia van ‘ T Laerhof clocked a time of 59.72 seconds.
Frenchman Roger Yves Bost, astride Castleforbes Talitha, sealed the second spot to claim the prize of €7.665. Castleforbes Talitha, 13, clocked a time 61.21 seconds.
Italian rider Filippo Marco Bologni, in the saddle with Diplomat, grabbed the third spot in a time of 61.23 seconds. The 26-year-old Italian won €5.110.
Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann (Fancy Me, 62.96 seconds, €3.577) and Frenchman Kevin Staut (Visconti du Telman, 63.42 seconds, €3.577) completed the top five out of 31 entries.
Qatar’s Salman Mohammed A S Al Emadi, astride 13-year-old Timon d’Aure, finished in 12th spot in a time of 75.90 seconds. Al Emadi won €1.277.
Earlier, in the Medium Tour of the Longines Hathab Tour, Qatari rider Mohammed Khalifa Albaker, astride Verona, grabbed the top honours with a flawless strut inside the Longines Arena at Al Saqab.
Verona, the 13-year-old mare, clocked a time of 65.56 seconds in the 1.30m class. Albaker won QR4,000.
Uzbekistan rider Okil Sobirjonov guided Quatro Junior to the second spot worth QR 3,000. Quatro Junior, aged 18, finished in a time of 65.74 seconds.
Home rider Adel Nassar, in the saddle with Dubaii Alqaqa, ended in third spot. Nassar won QR2,000 as Dubaii Alqaqa clocked a time of 66.18 seconds.
Qatar’s Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi (Eglantine Du Castelet, 67.46 seconds, Qr 1.400) and compatriot Nasser Al Ghazali (What A Pleasure, 67.52 seconds, QR1.400) completed the top five in a field of 53 riders.
Earlier, in the Small Tour (accumulator) class, Abdulaziz Ghanim Al Nuaimi topped the field with Birddyz (50.46 seconds). Al Nuaimi won QR 2,000 as the top four positions were grabbed by Qatari riders.
Awad Al Qahtani, astride Beyonce, finished in second spot in a time of 51.60 seconds. Al Qahtani won QR 1,500.
Mohammed Al Ghazali guided Alegro 84 to a third-place finish. Al Ghazali won QR1,000 as Alegro 84 clocked 52.46 seconds.
Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi (Dark Dalida, 52.53 seconds, QR700) and Cyrine Cherif of France (Brennus Villelongue, 52.71 seconds, QR700) completed the top five from a fiend of 56 riders.
Also yesterday, Swedish rider Patrik Kittel (Delaunay Old, 74.413%) topped the Dressage CDI5* Grand Prix field to win the prize of €7500.
France’s Morgan Barbançon (Sir Donnerhall II Old, 72.326%, €6000) finished in second spot.
The third spot was grabbed by Germany’s Matthias Alexander Rath (Foundation 2, 72.304%, €4500).
