Riesenbeck International riders Christian Kukuk and Philipp Weishauppt celebrate after their win in the Global Champions League at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday.
Doha: Riesenbeck International lit up Al Shaqab’s magnificent Longines Arena with a brilliant performance to win the season-opening Global Champions League (GCL) in front of huge number of spectators yesterday.
With teams eyeing strong start to the new season, it was a tough competition among the elite riders with Christian Kukuk and Philipp Weishauppt producing a fine show astride Coby and Mumbai to bag first victory of the season. The pair pocketed € 32,618.10 – a lion’s share of the €300,000 prize money event.
Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League (GCL) President and Founder Jan Tops and Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation President Badr Al Darwish pose with the podium winners of the GCL Doha round yesterday.
It was a welcome victory for Riesenbeck International after team rider and owner Ludger Beerbaum was taken to hospital following a fall yesterday.
“We are delighted with the day today. We have had ups and downs this week. I was not supposed to jump today at all - Coby was meant to have a day off and Ludger was supposed to ride but unfortunately he ended up in hospital last night. This win was for Ludger and we wish him a speedy recovery. For sure he is watching from the hospital now so we wish him all the best,” said Weishauppt.
“My strategy was just to jump a clear round. In the first round, I felt we were already fast and we ended up eighth place individually without even trying to be fast. In the second round, I was like wow when we crossed the finish line. I am impressed with how fast Mumbai is. It is a very good day for us. Now we have an evening to celebrate,” he added.
Omar Al Mannai, Event Director at Al Shaqab, presents the award to CSI5* against the clock 1.55m winner Ioli Mytilineou of Greece. Turkey’s Efe Siyahi (left) finished second, while the Netherlands’ Jur Vrieling was third.
Meanwhile, St Tropez Pirates comprising Simon Delestre and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli clinched the silver trophy as the pair was just over a second behind the winners after making an equal number of four faults.
Valkenswaard United, having in-form Marcus Ehning (Stargold) and John Whitaker (Equine America Unick du Francport), wrapped up the round on coveted third place.
After GCL Round 1, six teams entered the arena for Round 2 with a clean score sheet. Four teams took to Round 2 bringing in just four faults, leaving little to no room for error for the leading teams.
Competition favourites Shanghai Swans star striker Max Khuner dramatically put them out of contention when his horse Eic Cooley Jump the Q collected 12 faults in the second round, leaving teammate Christian Ahlmann and Solid Gold’s double clear void of contention.
As the first double clear rounds entered, Rome Gladiators had just one pole in hand. Represented by the Breen brothers, Shane and Trevor ultimately left the arena on an uncharacteristic 19 faults from Trevor’s homebred mount Highland President, and four faults from Shane’s Cuick Star Kervec.
Greece’s Ioli Mytilineou astride L’artiste de Toxandra en route to her victory in CSI5* against the clock 1.55 m yesterday.
Next, Stockholm Hearts entered the arena. Switching horses for Round 2, Malin Baryard-Johnson took to the Uliano Vezzani built course aboard 2022’s highest performing GCL horse, H&M Indiana. Lilly Attwood and Calvaro’s Up To Date found the last line challenging with the last three fences falling, Leaving 2022’s GCL of Doha winners on 16 faults.
No team changes for German-based team, Riesenbeck International proved a success with anchor riders Kukuk posting a double clear and Weishaput collecting just one rail. Leaving all to play for as the final three teams entered the arena, the suspense was high.
A single rail from Valkenswaard’s United John Whitaker saw the iconic duo of Whitaker and Marcus Ehning sit in third with just one team to go.
Jordan’s Bisharat, Qatar’s Haidan bag victories
Earlier, Jordan’s Ibrahim Hani Bisharat piloted 11-year-old bay Henriette to a commanding victory in €26,200 CSI3* - 1.45m after completing the course without a penalty in 61.98 secs. The winner got richer by €6,550.
Ali Al Khorafi, astride 10-year-old gelding I, posted 64.12 secs for second place while Qatar’s Faleh Suwead Al Ajami and 14-year-old Crispo combined to earn a podium finish clocking 75.85 secs.
Qatar’s Mohamed Saeed Haidan won the CSI3* against the clock 1.35m class with D Saucedo.
Qatari riders dominated the CSI3* - 1.35m with Mohammed Saeed A M Haidan (D Saucedo) clocking a flawless 54.16 secs to win the title, followed by Al Ajami (Steyburn) and Saeed Nasser Al Qadi (Casal des Forets) with times of 56.26 secs and 56.54 secs to secure second and third positions respectively.
Today, riders will battle for the prestigious Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha that will culminate the opening leg.
Inputs from GCL
