Egypt’s Karim Elzoghby astride Zandigo celebrates after finishing the jump off.
Doha: Egypt’s Karim Elzoghby teamed up with Zandigo to claim the coveted Doha International Showjumping Championship Grand Prix title at Longines Arena, yesterday.
On a challenging course, the pair topped the 1.55m event worth €98,000 with an error-free show in 70.78 sec. The Egyptian collected the winner’s prize of €24,500 after a flawless performance.
The podium winners of 1.45m event celebrate after the presentation ceremony.
It was the only perfect performance in the event as all the riders committed faults in the contest that wrapped up the two-day championship, which also featured the Nations Cup Olympic Qualifier (1.60 m) on the opening day.
Morocco’s Abdeslam Bennani Smires, who was aboard his 15-year-old bay Davino Q, emerged runner-up after completing the course in 74.03 sec, dropping the rail once.
The pair got richer by €19,600 for second place.
Abdelkebir Ouaddar, also from Morocco, was fastest in the event on 15-year-old Istanbull V.H Ooievaarshof, zipping through the course in 67.22 sec but four faults cost him dearly as he finished third and collected a purse of €14,700.
Grand Prix podium winners of the Doha International Showjumping Championship pose with Qatar Equestrian Federation’s Technical Director and former Olympic rider Ali Yousef Al Rumaihi and President of the Ground Jury Stephan Ellenbruch.
Earlier yesterday, Saudi Arabia’s Ramzy Al Duhami guided Manola LS la Silla to first place in the 1.45m event with jump off that offered €53,000 in prize money.
The pair completed the jump off in 38.03 sec, committing four penalties, after clocking 69.13 sec in the first round.
Morocco’s Ali Al Ahrach, who rode Byblos d’Elle, secured second position after a time of 39.04 sec (4 faults) in the jump off as they finished the first round in 71.43 sec. Jordan’s Ibrahim Hani Bisharat combined with Happyness to take third position with a time of 39.44 (4 faults) in jump off. The pair finished the first round in 71.37 sec.
