Doha Falcons' Qatari rider Bassem Mohammed guides Gunder over an obstacle.
Doha: Qatar’s Bassem Mohammed and Yuri Mansur came up with thrilling showjumping performances for Doha Falcons to finish fifth in their second round of the Longines Global Champions League (LGCL) at the state-of-the-art Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, on Saturday.
The 16-city Longines Global Champions League had kicked off at Doha's Al Shaqab in March this year. It concludes with a finale in Prague in November.
The Doha Falcons were one of just two teams who made no horse or rider changes. First to go was Bassem Mohammed with Gunder, and they took on the course with determination. Making it look easy they handed the baton to Philip Houston and Sandros S Bella still on a clean sheet. Aiming for their first-ever podium finish, Houston kept his head and rode a stunning fast clear to help the Falcons finish good.
The battle for the 2021 LGCL title intensified dramatically with Valkenswaard United taking over the overall ranking lead from Shanghai Swans.
In the tense final moments of the GCL of Valkenswaard, Monaco Aces Jos Verlooy and Laura Kraut powered to victory after overnight leaders Paris Panthers failed to achieve the double clear they needed. Valkenswaard United finished in second spot catapulting them into the ranking lead after a top-level team competition full of jeopardy as the temperature hots up in GCL series.
