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Sports / Qatar Sport

Fuchs storms to big victory at Al Shaqab

Published: 05 Mar 2022 - 11:03 am | Last Updated: 05 Mar 2022 - 11:05 am
Martin Fuchs guides Conner Jei over a fence during the 1.55m jump-off at the Longines Arena, yesterday.

Martin Fuchs guides Conner Jei over a fence during the 1.55m jump-off at the Longines Arena, yesterday.

Fawad Hussain | The Peninsula

Doha: Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and 11-year-old Conner Jei produced a stunning show to win the 1.55m jump-off on the second day of 2022 Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) and Global Champions League, yesterday.   

As world’s best riders and horses were tested on a difficult course designed by Uliano Vezzani at the spectacular Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, the combination of Fuchs and Conner Jei proved too good for the opponents with a time of 34.74 secs as the Swiss World No.2 heads into today’s Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha with an impressive win.   

Germany’s Christian Kukuk, astride Nice van’t Zorgvliet, was second with a time of 35.80 secs while his compatriot Christian Ahlmann, riding Solid Gold Z was third after clocking 36.75 secs.  

“That was a great jump off. My horse Conner Jei was amazing last week as well,” said Fuchs after his victory yesterday.

“He was second place in the same class at CHI Al Shaqab. Today I tried to ride as fast as I could, knowing that Marlon (Modolo Zanotelli) is still going to be behind me. He was fastest today but luckily he dropped a rail,” he said.  

“My horse is so careful and he has amazing ability. He allows me to do something little bit crazy like this and I am glad to be sitting on a horse like this. Tomorrow I will be riding Leone Jei – my championship horse. He is also in a very good shape, I am going to try to produce three more clear rounds tomorrow,” Fuchs added. 

Earlier, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann and Glamour Girl – known for being extremely fast and flawless - recorded a time of 58.93 seconds to win in CSI5* 1.50m course. 

Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) and Global Champions League Event Director Omar Al Mannai and an official pose for a photograph with the podium winners of the 1.55m jump off, Martin Fuchs, Christian Kukuk and Christian Ahlmann.

The riders had to compete against the clock in yesterday’s first big class, which also offers points for the Longines rankings. 

Frenchman Kevin Staut, who rode fifteen-year-old Tolede de Mescam Harcour, was early leader after clocking 59.24 seconds but he had to settle for a second place, with Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher and Vestmalle des Cotis finishing third after clocking 59.96 seconds. 

French duo of Simon Delestre astride Tinka’s Hero and Olivier Robert, who rode Vangog du Mas Garnier secured fourth and fifth positions respectively.  

Action on the third and final day of the event will see teams competing in the second round of the GCL competition, which will start at 2:40pm. 

New team Stockholm Hearts is leading the race to pick up this season’s first event. The team powered by H&M We Love Horses topped Thursday’s first round. 

The powerful pairing of Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Indiana alongside Olivier Philippaerts and H&M Legend of Love will looking to be looking for another double clear round in a lightning-fast time.

The marquee event – the LGCT Grand Prix of Doha – will begin at 6pm today, with riders vying for the win as well as the first golden ticket to the season-ending LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Play-offs.

Int. jumping competition with jump-off (1.55m)
Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.2 - CSI5* (Competition counts for the Longines Ranking)
RANK    HORSE    RIDER    NATION    FAULTS    TIME    FAULTS    TIME    PRIZE MONEY
1.    Conner Jei    Martin Fuchs    SUI    0    73.03 sec    0    34.74 sec    €37,175
2.    Nice van't Zorgvliet    Christian Kukuk    GER    0    72.68 sec    0    35.80 sec    €29,740
3    Solid Gold Z    Christian Ahlmann    GER    0    72.88 sec    0    36.75 sec    €22,305
4.    Dexter Fontenis Z    Simon Delestre    FRA    0    70.91 sec    0    37.38 sec    €14,870
5    Like A Diamond van het Schaeck    Marlon Modolo Zanotelli    BRA    0    71.61 sec    4    34.58 sec    €10,409

Int. jumping competition against the clock (1.50m)
Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.1 - CSI5* (Competition counts for the Longines Ranking)
RANK    HORSE    RIDER    NATION    FAULTS    TIME    PRIZE MONEY
1.    Glamour Girl    Henrik von Eckermann    SWE    0    58.93 sec    €12,825  
2.    Tolede de Mescam Harcour    Kevin Staut    FRA    0    59.24 sec    €10,260  
3.    Vestmalle des Cotis    Hans-Dieter Dreher    GER    0    59,96 sec    €7.695  
4.    Tinka's Hero Z    Simon Delestre    FRA    0    61.22 sec    €5,130  
5.    Vangog du Mas Garnier    Olivier Robert    FRA    0    62.18 sec    €3,591  

Longines Hathab (1.00/1.15m)
Nat. jumping competition in two phases special - Tabel A, Art. 274.2.5
RANK    HORSE    RIDER    NATION    PENALTIES    TIME    PRIZE MONEY
1.    Vlacido    Mohammed Nasser Al Qadi    QAT    0 penalties     22.25 sec    QR5,000   
2.    Galwaybay Merbreaker    Mohammed Nasser Al Qadi    QAT    0 penalties     22.55 sec    QR4,000   
3.    Cornett Des Forrets    Mohammed Rashid Al Amri    QAT    0 penalties     3.10 sec    QR3,000   

Longines Hathab (1.20/1.35m)
Nat. jumping competition against the clock - Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.1
RANK    HORSE    RIDER    NATION    FAULTS    TIME     PRIZE MONEY
1.    Mira V/D Roshoeve    Rashid Towaim Al Marri    QAT    0.00    55.76 sec    QR7,500   
2.    What A Pleasure    Nasser Al Ghazali    QAT    0.00    56.73 sec    QR6,000   
3.    Navaronne    Rashid Towaim Al Marri    QAT    0.00    58.66 sec    QR4,500