Delestre shines under lights as CHI Al Shaqab 2025 kicks off with exciting competitions
Mdmar – Doha
The three-day 12th edition of CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines kicked off at the Longines indoor and outdoor arenas of Al Shaqab (Member, Qatar Foundation) on Thursday with the participation of 247 riders, including the word’s very best, from 41 countries.
The prominent annual FEI event which includes, showjumping, dressage and para dressage carries a total prize-money over €1.3 million euros.
Frenchman Simon Delestre stole the day’s limelight winning the sterling CSI5* – Faults & Time – 1.50m (LR) – GP Qualifier class held under lights at the Longines outdoor arena. The seasoned Delestre rode black gelding Dexter Fontenis Z with aplomb for a flawless and fastest routine in 56.01secs. The triumph also won him a top prize of €26,875.
Belgian Abdel Said, who had also excelled at HH The Amir Sword Festival at the same venue a few days ago claimed the second podium place, riding chestnut mare Arpege du RU. Said clocked 57.61secs. The third spot went to France’s Julien Anquetin, who cleared in a close 57.62secs astride bay mare Farah Tame.
The winners were crowned by Dr. Noura Buhaliqa, CEO of Q Communications.
Earlier, Great Britain’s Ellen Whitaker on bay stallion Quainton X-Rated won the CSI5* – Faults & Time – 1.45m class with the best flawless time of 61.41secs. French Olivier Perreau, riding Frisky de La Fontaine, was second (62.88secs) and Italian Roberto Previtali astride Hachiko was third (63.14secs).
The CSI3* – Faults & Time – 1.45m (LR) – GP Qualifier class was clinched by Italian Emanuele Gaudiano, who on his mount darkbay stallion Vasco 118 clocked the flawless best 60.97secs. Great Britain’s Millie Allen on Quick Diamant HR finished second (62.21secs), and South African Oliver Lazarus third on Butterfly Ennemmel (64.41secs).
The winners were crowned by Abdulrahman Al Kaabi, Member of the tournament’s organizing committee.
The day’s opening CSI3* – Faults & Time – 1.35m showjumping class was won by Qatar’s Sultan Salem Al Naemi, who astide bay gelding Cethys de Vernay clocked a flawless and swiftest 58.74secs. Great Britain’s Grace Healey on Jabadabadoo finished second (59.36secs), while Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Almobty, riding Mary Ann 12, ended third (60.00secs).
The winners were crowned by Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin, the Event Director.
Qatar riders promising
Qatari riders made a podium sweep in the CSICh-B – Special Two-Phase – 1.05m class with Abdul Aziz Jassim AJ Al Thani, riding grey mare Gabbana M, taking the top place with best flawless times of 33.01 and 27.51secs. Sharida Nasser SS Al Kaabi on bay mare Proud was second (36.45 & 29.94secs), and Mohammed Hamza MA Al Kuwari (on grey mare Carte Blanche) third with times of 36.21 & 31.24secs respectively.
Khalifa Al Attiyah, Executive Director of Al Shaqab, honoured the winners.
Qatari riders also excelled in the CSI1* – Special Two-Phase – 1.10m where Yaqoub Nasser Al Mass stood out with bay mare Aphrodite S Z clocking 27.98secs and 25.74secs in the two phases. Abdulla Khalid Al Julandani with darkbay gelding Corsini finished in second (26.93 & 25.82secs) while Jassim Al Kuwari on brown gelding Dorus HH was third (25.54secs and 27.33secs respectively).
Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly won the CSI1* – Faults & Time – 1.20m – GP Qualifier class combining with grey stallion Dr Scarpo and returning a best time of 46.72secs. His compatriot Khaled Alhady finished second astride Doremi du Flot Z (48.84secs), while Qatar’s Fahad Jassim HK Al Thani claimed the third podium place riding bay mare Hazel de Luxe (50.61secs).
Abdullah Al Qashouti, Director of Communications and Marketing of the event, crowned the winners.
The Future Riders’ Optimum Time – 0.60m class was topped by American Sophia Marie Ghaith who excelled on Shadow clocking the best time of 53.86secs. Qatar’s Aljohara Mohammed H Al Thani, riding Ready To Rock And Role, took the second podium place clocking flawless 54.32secs, while Shaikha Hamad A Al Yafei on Lancome Paris was third in 53.28secs.
Ahmed Khaled Al Humaidi, Heritage and Heritage Specialist at Al Shaqab, honoured the winners with their prizes.
Top para dressage riders impress
The para dressage competitions were exciting in various categories. In the CPEDI3* – Grand Prix A – Grade I class, The Netherlands’ Annemarieke Nobel garnered a cumulative total of 73.958 points with blackbay gelding Doo Schufro to emerge best.
Dutch Loes Cevaal topped CPEDI3* – Grand Prix A – Grade II class with a total score of 72.012 points.
Holland’s Rixt van der Horst excelled in CPEDI3* – Grand Prix A – Grade III totaling 76.167 points with chestnut stallion Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P.
The CPEDI3* – Grand Prix A – Grade IV class was won by Denmark’s Pia Wulff Jelstrup astride bay mare Zafia (70.139).
Finland’s Jonna Aaltonen claimed CPEDI3* – Grand Prix A – Grade V title nothing the best score of 70.000 riding chestnut gelding Laxton For U.
Omar Al Buainain, the Event’s Deputy Director, crowned the winners.
Qatar riders excel in freestyle dressage
Qatar riders excelled in the Preliminary Freestyle dressage event with Jassim Mohamed JA Al Kuwari taking the top two podium spots. He combined with bay gelding Floyd for a best total of 73.125 points and later returned astride Kesslervank to win the second place with a score of 72.392. Maryam Ahmad SA Al Boinin finished in third astride Hutrine-V Z (70.158pts).
Jassim Al Kuwari also won the CDI1* – Prix St. Georges dressage class astride Jack Sparrow with a best total of 69.461 points.
Reflecting on the opening day, Event Director Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin said there were exciting rounds and also where Qatari riders were crowned on more than one occasion, which gives another dimension to the championship, considering that it provides an ideal platform for riders to compete with the world’s best. “This year’s championship provides for an exceptional version, especially since it follows 4 international championships held earlier, such as the HH the Amir’s Sword Festival and the three Doha International Equestrian rounds in 2025.
“CHI Al Shaqab has become a symbol of sporting excellence that the State of Qatar enjoys at the international level and the fans wait for a special version each year, in light of the great successes achieved by the previous rounds in terms of organization, technical aspects, or the wide audience turnout. The prominent FEI event also enhances Al Shaqab’s position as the cradle of equestrianism in Qatar and the region, and embodies our commitment to promoting the love of this ancient sport,” added Al Khayarin.
