Malin Baryard-Johnsson astride veteran bay mare H&M Indiana clears a rail en route to winning the CHI Al Shaqab CSI5* Grand Prix 1.60m class yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson and her 17-year-old H&M Indiana yesterday delivered another outstanding performance to retain the CSI5* CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix title at the Longines Outdoor Arena.
Chairperson of Qatar Foundation H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser crowned Baryard-Johnsson and honoured the other podium winners of the marquee 1.60m five-star event.
By winning the title, Baryard-Johnsson, 49, became the second rider to win the prestigious Grand Prix after Germany’s Marcus Ehning achieved the feat in 2022 and 2023 editions.
The Swede set the pace clocking 71.05 seconds in the first round and completed the second round in 32.21 seconds to claim victory.
“I am over the moon. This was an amazing victory. My horse was amazing. It is a brilliant win with Indiana who is 17 years old. She is in fantastic shape and I am very very happy. To win a Grand Prix like this for two years in a row is very very special,” Baryard-Johnsson said at a post-event press conference.
Malin Baryard-Johnsson celebrates after winning the CSI5* CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix title with H&M Indiana.
She also praised Qatar’s hosting excellence, saying, “Every time I visit Qatar, I witness the continuous development in the competitions of all equestrian championships, which is something we are accustomed to as riders.”
Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, aboard Messi Van ‘T Ruytershof, clocked 35.89 seconds in the second round to finish runner-up with Italian Emanuele Gaudiano, astride Chalou’s Love PS, settling for third place with a time of 36.19secs.
The finale concluded three days of exciting action with last day featuring more thrilling contests. The €1.3m 12th edition of CHI Al Shaqab featured a total of 247 riders representing 41 countries in showjumping (CSI1*, 3*, 5*), dressage (1*, 5*), and para dressage events.
“The success achieved is the result of the tireless and professional efforts made by all the championship committees in cooperation with various sectors and partners from within and outside Qatar, and today we have reached the conclusion of another exceptional version of the championship,” said Event Director Mohammed bin Jaber Al Khayarin.
Emanuele Gaudiano continued his strong season, winning both the CSI5* - 1.50m and CSI3* - 1.40m titles.
Italy’s Gaudiano, meanwhile, continued his strong season, winning both the CSI5* - 1.50m and CSI3* - 1.40m titles.
In the CSI5*, Gaudiano, riding Nikolaj de Music, completed the course in 61.36 seconds.
Daniel Duesser (61.58 seconds), aboard Otello de Guldenboom, was placed second while and Gerfried Puck took third with a time of 62.06 seconds on Equitron Ornaat V.
In the CSI3*, Gaudiano’s flawless ride with Vasco 118 earned him the win in 58.13 seconds. Mariano Martinez Bastida on Quark de Preuilly Z (60.09 seconds) and Fahad Jassim HK Al Thani (61.95 seconds) riding Ambre de Beaufour rounded out the podium.
Scotland’s Scott Brash, the Olympic gold medallist secured the CSI3* - Grand Prix - Jump Off - 1.50m title. Partnering with his chestnut mare Hello Folie, Brash delivered an impressive jump-off performance, finishing with a flawless and fastest time of 41.70 seconds in the jump off.
Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly took second place, riding the bay stallion Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior, finishing in 42.83 seconds. His fellow countryman, Abdulrahman Alrajhi, claimed third on the bay gelding Bravour, with a time of 41.22 seconds.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ibrahim Al Mahmoud won the CSI1* - 1.30m Jump Off with a flawless 30.29 seconds on Perle Van Dorperheide. Saudi duo of Abdulaziz Fahad Aleid (30.64 seconds) and Hasan Al Hady (31.34 seconds) took second and third positions with Kayenne Of de Rocky Mounten and Capoen respectively.
In Future Riders’ Optimum Time 100cm class, Khalifa Joaan Al Thani triumphed with Tullibards Simply Cool, finishing in 66.13 secs. Faisal Alnaimi (63.35 secs) and Moza Alkuwari (68.79 secs) secured second and third places.
Poland’s Sandra Sysojeva excelled in the CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle, winning the title after earning 81.740 points with Maxima Bella. The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud took second with Glock’s Toto Jr. (79.190 pts), while Sweden’s Patrik Kittel finished third with Forever Young Hrh (78.895 pts).
“I’ve always dreamed of competing with exceptional horses like Maxima Bella. This win feels incredible after extensive preparation,” Sysojeva said after her win.
Khalifa Joaan Al Thani triumphed in the Future Riders’ Optimum Time 100cm class, with Tullibards Simply Cool.
Austrian rider Diana Porsche claimed victory in the CDI5* - Grand Prix Special class, scoring 70.447 points with the bay gelding Dahoud 3.
Portuguese rider Rita Ralao Duarte took second place with 67.894 points aboard the grey gelding Irao, while her fellow countrywoman Maria Caetano finished third with 67.404 points on the bay gelding Hit Plus.
In other para dressage results, Brazilian Rodolpho Riskalla triumphed in the CPEDI3* - Grand Prix Freestyle - Grade V class with the bay mare Tailormade Zofie (74.658 points).
Denmark’s Pia Wulff Jelstrup was placed first in the CPEDI3* - Grand Prix Freestyle - Grade IV, riding the bay mare Zafia (73.833 points). Dutch rider Rixt van der Horst claimed victory in the CPEDI3* - Grand Prix Freestyle - Grade III with her chestnut stallion Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P. (81.878 points).
Loes Cevaal from the Netherlands won the CPEDI3* - Grand Prix Freestyle - Grade II with the black gelding Happy Hero II (73.689 points). Lastly, Annemarieke Nobel from the Netherlands took the top spot in the CPEDI3* - Grand Prix Freestyle - Grade I, riding the black-bay gelding Doo Schufro (71.334 points).
