By Rizwan Rehmat
DOHA: Citizenguard Taalex showed pace when it mattered yesterday as Belgian rider Gregory Wathelet won the top prize of €50,820 in the feature event on day three of CHI Al Shaqab.
Wathelet, who managed two runners-up spots on the first two days, yesterday saw Turkey’s Omar Karaevli power Dadjak Ter Puttenen to a fast time of 46.68 seconds in the 1.55cm class but Citizenguard Taalex posted 45.75 seconds to seal the deal for Wathelet.
French giant Kevin Staut - astride Elky van het Indihof Hdc - finished in third spot after clocking a time of 47.68 seconds at Al Shaqab Arena.
Karaevli won €30,800 while Staut - the winner of the feature event on day one - yesterday got richer by €23,100.
“I knew he (Citizenguard Taalex) is fast so I was only concentrating on doing well,” Wathelet said.
“I know he can go faster. He did really well on 1, 2, 3, 4 and then a short sprint towards the next obstacles. I am going to ride the same horse (on Saturday),” he added.
“I really like to come here. The weather is perfect for the horses. Everything is perfect here,” Wathelet said.
“Yeah, it has been a good show so far. I cannot be happier. I just hope I can do another good run tomorrow,” Wathelet said.
“I am doing well. Every show we got to, we try to do our best. Sometimes it works, sometimes not so well. We are now aware we are doing well. Today I was lucky,” he said with a smile.
“I didn’t see Omar. I saw Kevin and I knew I had to do a fast time. The horses are so fast. Then I rode really well. I was more concerned what I can do, what my horse can do.
“I had the chance to win today and I am happy,” Wathelet said.
Karaevli said he wasn’t disappointed to finish second.
“No, my target was for me to get good points for Olympic qualification and to increase my lead over others. So I am very happy with the result. For sure I would have liked to win but I am very happy and proud of my horse,” Karaevli said.
“Yes, think I have qualified. I was leading my group from the last 15 months but the gap got a bit closer. For a week I was lagging behind.
But I did two good rounds.
“In the Al Rayyan Championship, I came second and in the Grand Prix I was sixth, which put me again in the lead. With tonight’s result, it gives me a very good lead. Still let’s wait till tomorrow, as it is deadline day,” the Turkish star said.
“Yes I was very confident. I rode him on the first day and he had gone down a bit. So I gave him a break on the second day. My plan is to ride him tomorrow as well,” Karwaevli said.
Earlier in competition 9, Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Abdulaziz Al Eid guided Valuta S to an impressive win in the 1.30m class.
Qatar’s Nasser Al Ghazali, astride Dynamic Diablo, finished in second spot whereas compatriot Saeed Nasser Al Qadi guided Desperadito grabbed the third spot.
Valuta S clocked a time of 50.83 seconds as Al Eid picked up the top prize of €3000.
Dynamic Diablo finished his round in 53.65 seconds as Al Ghazali won €2400.
Desperadito, who had Al Qadi in the saddle, completed his routine in a time of 55.77 seconds. Al Qadi won €1800.
Earlier in Dressage Grand Prix, Swedish rider Patrik Kittel guided Deja to a top score of 77.100 to pick up the top prize of €10,000.
German rider Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, astride Zaire, managed a tally of 75.560 to earn €8000.
Irish rider Judy Reynolds guided Vancouver to a score of 74.320 points. Reynolds won €6000 for her efforts.
Other dressage winners yesterday included Demi Vermeulen (Burberry, 73.905, €600), Jens Lasse Dokkan (Cypres, 74.493, €600), Nicole den Dulk (Faust, 73.056, €600), Camilla Christensen (Oestergaardens Deleight, 69.167, €600) and Susanne Jensby Sunesen (Thy’s Que Faire, 72.886, €600)
Today the riders will compete for the top honours in the two-round CSI5* Grand Prix which will start at 5:30pm at Al Shaqab Arena.
There will be six dressage competitions also with CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music starting at 2:30pm, organisers said.
The Grand Prix Special will start at 12:30pm.
The Peninsula
