France's Simon Delestre celebrates after winning the CSI5* 1.50m on the opening day of CHI Al Shaqab 2025 at the Longines Outdoor Arena. The winners were crowned by CEO of Qommunication Dr. Noura Bouhalika.
DOHA: Simon Delestre and his trusted partner Dexter Fontenis Z stole the show on the opening day of the 12th CHI Al Shaqab, clinching victory in the marquee CSI5* 1.50m event with a flawless performance yesterday.
The French rider and his 12-year-old gelding delivered a spectacular round, clocking an impressive 56.01 seconds at the Longines Outdoor Arena to take top honours on the opening day of €1.3m event.
The competition was fierce with Belgium’s Abdel Said finishing in second place aboard Arpege du RU, posting a time of 57.61 seconds. Close behind, another French rider, Julien Anquetin, took third with a time of 57.62 seconds on Farah Tame, just 0.01 seconds behind Said.
Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Alsharbatly receives the trophy from Director of Communications and Marketing of CHI Al Shaqab Abdullah Al Qashouti after winning the CSI1* 1.20m - GP Qualifier class. Saudi's Khaled Alhady finished second while Qatar's Fahad Jassim HK Al Thani claimed third spot.
In the CSI5* 1.45m class, Britain's Ellen Whitaker and Quainton X-Rated delivered a flawless performance, clocking 61.41 seconds to win the title. France’s Olivier Perreau, riding Frisky de La Fontaine, secured second place with a time of 62.88 seconds, while Italy’s Roberto Previtali finished third with Hachiko in 63.14 seconds.
Meanwhile, Emanuele Gaudiano continued his strong form in Doha, clinching the CSI3* 1.45m title with a dominant performance. Riding Vasco 118, the Italian clocked a perfect 60.97 seconds, while Britain’s Millie Allen finished second with Quick Diamant HR in 62.21 seconds. South Africa’s rider Oliver Lazarus completed the podium, taking third on Butterfly Ennemmel in 64.41 seconds.
In the first event of the day, the CSI3* 1.35m, Qatar’s Sultan Salem Al Naemi showcased a flawless ride with Cethys de Vernay, clocking 58.74 seconds for the win. Britain’s Grace Healey took second place with Jabadabadoo, finishing in 59.36 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Almobty secured third with Mary Ann 12.
Executive Director of Al Shaqab Khalifa Al Attiya poses with CSICh-B 1.05m class winner Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al Thani, runner-up Sharida Nasser Al Kaabi and third-placed Mohammed Hamza Al Kuwari.
Qatari riders dominated the CSICh-B 1.05m, with Abdul Aziz Jassim AJ Al Thani securing the title. Partnering with Gabbana M, he clocked 33.01 and 27.51 seconds to top the event. Sharida Nasser SS Al Kaabi (Proud) and Mohammed Hamza MA Al Kuwari (Carte Blanche) followed in second and third.
In the Second Outdoor Arena, Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly claimed victory in the CSI1* 1.20m GP Qualifier class with Dr Scarpo, finishing in 46.72 seconds.
Qatar’s Yaqoub Nasser Al Mass won the CSI1* 1.10m, posting times of 27.98 and 25.74 seconds across two phases with Aphrodite S Z.
At the Indoor Arena, Qatar’s Jassim Mohamed JA Al Kuwari claimed the top two positions in the Preliminary Freestyle dressage event. With Floyd, he earned 73.125 points for first place and followed up with a second-place finish aboard Kesslervank, scoring 72.392 points. Maryam Ahmad SA Al Boinin impressed as well, finishing third with Hutrine-V Z (70.158 points).
In the CDI1* Prix St. Georges, Qatar’s Jassim Al Kuwari secured the win with Jack Sparrow, earning a total of 69.461 points, followed by Britain’s Jessica Megan Waldon with 58.922 points on San Francisco.
Britain's Ellen Whitaker celebrates her CSI5* 1.45m victory.
The para dressage competitions saw thrilling performances across various categories. In the CPEDI3* Grand Prix A - Grade I, the Netherlands’ Annemarieke Nobel led the class with 73.958 points aboard Doo Schufro. Dutch rider Loes Cevaal won Grade II with 72.012 points, while Rixt van der Horst claimed Grade III with 76.167 points riding Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P.
Denmark’s Pia Wulff Jelstrup took victory in Grade IV with a score of 70.139 on Zafia, while Finland’s Jonna Aaltonen claimed the Grade V title with 70.000 points aboard Laxton For U.
In the National Competition 0.60m, America’s Sophia Marie Ghaith won the class with Elias (Shadow), followed by Qatar’s Aljohara Mohammed H Al Thani (Ready To Rock And Role) and Shaikha Hamad A Al Yafei (Lancome Paris).
Reflecting on the opening day, Event Director Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin said, “This year’s championship provides an exceptional version, especially since it follows H H the Amir’s Sword Festival and the three Doha International Equestrian rounds. The CHI Al Shaqab has become a symbol of sporting excellence, enhancing Al Shaqab’s position as the cradle of equestrianism in Qatar and the region.”
