Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad crowns winners at Longines Tour Global Champions Tour at Al Shaqab
Mdmar – Doha
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, on Thursday crowned the winners of the CSI1* 1.1m showjumping on the second day of the Longines Global Champions Tour and the 2025 Global Champions League being held at the Longines Arena of Al Shaqab (Member, Qatar Foundation).
The tour which continues till Saturday has the participation of more than 271 riders representing 35 countries with more than 411 horses. The total prize being more than 1.1 million euros.
The CSI1* – International showjumping Against the Clock (1.10m) class which had 63 starts saw Qatar’s Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al Thani take the top honours astride grey mare Gabbana M. Abdulaziz clocked flawless and fastest best time of 55.64 seconds. Finishing in second place in 60.84secs was Saudi Arabia’s Nasser Albagami, who rode bay gelding Newyork Grandia Z. Albagami’s compatriot Fahad Aljuaid, riding chestnut mare Dushi, was third clocking 61.39secs.
Cannes Stars team wins GCL of Doha
The season-opening Global Champions League – GCL of Doha – First GCL Team Competition – Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.1 – Against the Clock (1.55m) under lights was bagged by the Cannes Stars team as their German riders Sophie Hinners (astride bay gelding Iron Dames my Prins) and Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (on chestnut mare Iron Dames High Level) combined superbly to log a combined best time of 157.50secs.
Prague Lions finished in second place with Belgian riding chestnut mare Toupie de la Roque and Peter Devos astride grey gelding Primo DV getting the total to 153.76secs.
Monaco Comets took the third podium place with a score of 154.09secs being guided by their star riders Australian Olympian Edwina Tops-Alexander, who rode bay gelding Fellow Castlefield, Jeanne Sadran on bay stud Dexter De Kreglenn, and Greek Ioli Mytilineou on bay gelding L’artiste de Toxandra, combining for a cumulative score of 154.09secs.
The winners were crowned by Mr. Bader Al Darwish, Vice-Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Championship and President of the Qatar Equestrian Federation, Mr. Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin, Event Director, and Mr. Jan Tops, President of the Longines Global Champions Tour.
Qatar’s Ibrahim Al Mahmoud wins CSI3* 1.40m class
Qatar’s Ibrahim Yousuf Al Mahmoud topped the CSI3* Against the clock (1.40m) class, beating a field of 63 international riders. Al Mahmoud excelled with bay gelding Qataro van het Texelhof as the duo completed a flawless best routine in 53.54secs.
Italian Roberto Previtali, who rode chestnut stud Castlefield Rouge, had to be content with the runners-up spot after finishing in 56.22secs while the experienced Emanuele Gaudiano settled for third place with chestnut gelding Chalou (56.84secs).
The winners were crowned by Mr. Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin, Event Director.
Delestre tops CSI3* 1.50m
The CSI3* Against the clock (1.50m) class was clinched by Frenchman Simon Delestre, who combined with bay gelding Moeboetoe v/d Roshoeve to clock the best 65.53secs.
Italian Roberto Previtali on chestnut stud Qashquai SB finished second (67.32secs), and Antoine Ermann of France third astride bay gelding Delirium Zoetendaele Z (70.06secs).
His Excellency Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Juham Al-Kuwari, Chairman of the General Tax Authority, honoured the winners.
Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Alhady continued his fine run at the venue as he won the CSI1* Against the clock (1.25m) class with a best time of 58.66secs astride bay gelding Capoen. Finishing a close second was Qatar’s Hamad Nasser Al Qadi on his trusted mount Happy Tina, a bay mare, in 58.94secs, while Saudi Arabia’s Bader Alfard was third with grey mare HW Cosette in 61.98secs.
The winners were crowned by Mr. Abdulrahman Al Kaabi, member of the tournament’s Organizing Committee.
Thijssen wins GCL 1.55m class
The individual GCL – Against the clock (1.55m) class was bagged by Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen, who showjumped with bay stud Con Quidam RB with a best time of 67.48secs. Norwegian Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen on chestnut gelding Equine America Harwich VDL was second (71.71secs), and Austrian Gerfried Puck riding bay gelding Equitron Ornaat V third (71.79secs).
Abdulla Al Khulaifi tops Future Riders’ class
The Future Riders’ Optimum Time (80cm) class was won by Abdulla Ahmed A Al Khulaifi, who astride Manni, finished with the best ideal time of 55.83 seconds. He was followed by Jassim Saoud A Al Darwish on Cascade Sammy in 55.02 seconds, while the third place was taken by Abdulaziz Abdullah Alabri, riding Anyway II, with an ideal time of 57.1 seconds.
The winners were honoured with their prizes were by Mr. Omar Al Buainain, the tournament’s Deputy Director.
Ideal organization praised, fans invited
Mr. Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin, Event Director praised the great success being achieved by the Longines Global Champions Tour since its inception in 2008, and the ideal organization it has enjoyed at the Longines Arena of Al Shaqab for 12th consecutive year.
Mr. Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin invited equestrian fans and enthusiasts in Qatar to follow the action at the glorious venue over the next two days, especially since it includes a selection of the best-ranked riders of the world, stressing that the success of hosting this major international tournament reflects the State of Qatar’s ability to host major sporting events, and confirms Al Shaqab’s commitment to achieving its vision of becoming a leading global center in the field of equestrianism.
He also added that such events contribute to enhancing the love of equestrianism in the Qatari community, and consolidating our pride and appreciation for the long history of equestrianism that the State of Qatar is distinguished for.
