World No: 1 Peder Fredricson of Sweden got off to a flying start at the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines 2022, clinching the feature class victory following a flawless performance, yesterday.
Chief of Amiri Diwan H E Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar Olympic Committee President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and Qatar Sports Investments and Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation President Nasser Al Khelaifi also attended the opening day’s action of the three-day event at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, which witnessed a good crowd turnout.
Fredricson, riding Hansson Wl, thrilled fans with an effortless show as he won the CSI5* 1.55m class with a time of 64.83 seconds, pocketing winner’s purse of €23800.
Last year’s five-star Grand Prix winner Christian Ahlmann of Germany, astride Solid Gold Z, finished runner-up in 65.82 seconds to collect a prize of €19040, while Henrik Von Eckermann and Glamour Girl combined for a third position with 65.96 seconds. He won €14280.
“I knew I needed to take short turns without losing control to beat Christian’s time. It is an amazing horse. I like to start last, because it gives you an advantage. I had watched Christian, so I knew exactly what to do,” said Fredricson after his first win at this year’s edition.
“The course was difficult especially the sixth hurdle was tricky. The facilities are great at Al Shaqab and it’s always a pleasure to jump here,” the 50-year-old, who will now shift focus to weekend’s Grand Prix, added.
Earlier, Irish rider Denis Lynch dazzled the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab with Cornets Iberio, claiming top prize at CSI5* 1.45m class. Both displayed a spectacular show in the exciting event, clocking fastest time of 32.09 seconds in the second phase.
“It’s been great competing at Al Shaqab. I will now focus the competitions coming ahead in this event,” said Lynch.
Norway’s Geir Gulliksen (gelding VDL Groep Quatro) and Frenchman Simon Delestre (Dexter Fontenis Z) clocked identical times of 32. 96 seconds to share second spot.
Meanwhile, Lotte Krijnsen of the Netherlands, teaming up with Rosenstolz, won the CPEDI3* para-dressage event with Rebecca Hart, astride El Corona Texel finishing second. Cesar Denis, riding Hooverphonic V/H Koekoek’s Hof finished third.
Qatar’s Al Malki set to make history
Meanwhile, Qatar’s dressage rider Wejdan Majed Al Malki is hoping for an impressive performance on her debut in Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix Test event at Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines 2022.
Al Malki, who trains in Europe, will make history as being the first Qatari woman dressage rider to compete in a five-star event.
“I am excited and at the same time a bit nervous. But, still it will be a proud day for me to compete against world class riders,” she said ahead of her competition.
“My aim is to qualify for the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris and this experience will help me achieve that goal. I also want to participate at the FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports) World Cup events.
These tournaments will be an important step in my career,” she added.
As many as 95 riders from 24 countries and 146 elite competition horses are competing in the three-day championship in three disciplines — showjumping, dressage and para dressage.
