Kukuk, Mumbai steal the show

Doha: Germany’s Christian Kukuk and grey stallion Mumbai stole limelight on action-packed second day of the 10th edition of Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines, winning the top prize yesterday. 

H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar Olympic Committee President and Al Shaqab Chairperson, attended the second day’s proceedings along with special guests at the magnificent Longines Arena. 

H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani presents medal to a rider. 

Kukuk, who competed in Tokyo Olympics, and his 11-year-old Mumbai were at their best in the jump off clocking 41.36 sec after a perfect run to win the CSI5* - 1.55m, pocketing €50.325,00 for winning the event. The pair recorded a time of 70.60 sec in the first round. 

“Many things came together in what was our first show of the year. I changed a few things – changed the bit, removed his shoes – and it all worked well. The horse and I are a very good match, and he can still improve more. That makes me very happy,” Kukuk told reporters after his win.

H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar Olympic Committee President and Al Shaqab Chairperson, poses for a group picture with participants of children class on second day of 10th Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines, yesterday. 

Ireland’s Mark McAuley, who was astride GRS Lady Amaro, was second with a time of 41.42 sec in the jump off following a time of 70.64 sec in the first round.

Frenchman Kevin Staut, riding Dialou Blue PS, also earned a podium finish by completing the course in 41.59 sec in the jump off. The pair topped the first round after clocking a penalty-free 69.18 sec.        

Meanwhile, Frenchman Simon Delestre and his 10-year-old I Amelusina R were victorious in CSI5* -1.45m with a time of 63.52 sec, edging the pair of Shane Breen and 11-year-old Haya, who finished the routine in 63.68 sec. Securing third position in the contest were Ireland’s Denis Lynch and his 11-year-old Cornets Iberio clocking 64.45 sec.        

“I’m very pleased with this result. It’s a first win in the 5-star class for this horse. He’s always improving – I’ve developed him carefully since he was a 3-year-old. The large arena here suits his big canter,” said Delestre. 

Also yesterday, Qatar’s Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi, who rode 20-year-old bay Quel Homme, thrilled the spectators winning the CSI2* - 1.40 m in 34.19 sec. Quel Homme remarkably defied his age to jump to victory with a clear round. 

Another Qatari rider Sheikh Khalifa Abdulaziz J A Al Thani, astride Ierland VDL, secured second position with a time of 36.00 sec while Kuwait’s Ali Al Khorafi on I ended up third after four faults during his run of 33.31 sec.  

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi teamed up with Quick Step to top the CSI2* - 1.30 m after zipping the course with perfection in 24.27 sec. Al Qadi’s compatriot Sheikh Khalifa Abdulaziz J A Al Thani partnered with Serendipity to claim second position for a time of 25.04 sec, with Kuwait’s Ali Al Khorafi taking the third spot after a round of 25.22 sec with eight-year-old Karaat.       

The children class saw Iraq’s Mariam Abdulkarim Abed, astride Wadi Rum D D H, claiming top position with Qatari riders Abdulaziz Soud Al Mutawa (Anyway II) and Nawaf Faisal Al Obaidli (Charming Boy) claiming second and third positions respectively. H E Sheikh Joaan honoured the participants of the event.    

Netherland’s Dinja van Liere arrives at the presentation ceremony after winning win the FEI Test Grand Prix - CDI5* with Hartsuijker.

Dinja van Liere shines with dressage triumph  
At the Longines Indoor Arena, the pair of Netherland’s Dinja van Liere and 11-year-old Hartsuijker lifted the moods of spectators with their spectacular performance to win the FEI Test Grand Prix - CDI5* with a score of 75.152 %.

“Hartsuijker is a very sweet, very honest horse – always working hard and trying to please. He’s become a consistent Grand Prix horse, who knows when he needs to perform. And he did so well today – in an indoor arena, which is a rather different atmosphere. I’m very happy,” van Liere told reporters yesterday.  

Sweden’s Patrik Kitte and his 11-year-old Touchdown were also impressive, claiming second position with a total of 72.870 % while Spain’s José Antonio Garcia Mena teamed up with 13-year-old Divina Royal to take third position with a score of 72.261 %. 

Backed by home fans, Qatar’s Wejdan Majed Al Malki also performed in the event with her 18-year-old purebred bay Spanish stallion Mango Jacaro, earning a score of 61.239 %. 

In para dressage, Belgium’s Ulricke Dekeyzer riding Cleverboy van d’Abelendreef claimed the Grade V CPEDI3* victory while his compatriot Kevin van Ham pairing up with Eros van Ons Heem secured second position. Denmark’s Camilla Christensen, who performed with 10-year-old bay Fursten, earned third position in the competition. 

The pair of America’s Quiana Kate Shoemaker and nine-year-old Quiana were the winners in Grade IV CPEDI3* while Lotte Krijnsen of the Netherlands combined with Rosenstolz N.O.P. to take the Grade III CPEDI3* title. 

The first two events of the day respectively witnessed Netherland’s Annemarieke Nobel riding Doo Schufro to Grade I - CPEDI3* triumph with the team comprising America’s Beatrice de Lavalette and 13-year-old Sixth Sense emerging champions in Grade II - CPEDI3*.         

During yesterday’s proceedings, a tribute was also held in the main arena to honour the late FEI Jumping Director, Marco FustéOncins, who passed away in January.
The third and final day of CHI Al Shaqab promises to be as exciting as ever, with a full day of world-class equestrian competition – culminating in the Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle and, for the biggest prize of the weekend, the Showjumping Grand Prix. 

The event will be contested over a course of 1.60m fences, with two rounds and a jump-off, to crown this year’s ultimate jumping champion.

Showjumping Results

CSI5* - Jump Off - 1.55m
1. Rider: Christian Kukuk (GER); Horse: Mumbai; Time: 41.36 secs; Prize money: €50,325
2. Mark Mcauley (IRL); GRS Lady Amaro; 41.42 secs; €30,500
3. Kevin Staut (FRA); Dialou Blue PS; 41.59 secs; €22,875

CSI5* - Table C - 1.45m
1. Rider: Simon Delestre (FRA); Horse: I Amelusina R 51; Time: 63.52 secs; Prize money: €6550
2. Shane Breen (IRL); Haya; 63.68 secs, Prize money: €5240
3. Denis Lynch (IRL); Cornets Iberio; /64.45 secs; €3930

CSI2* – Two phases special (1.40 m) 1.40mm
1. Rider: Khalid Mohamed A S al-Emadi (QAT); Horse: Quel Homme; Time: 34.19 secs; Prize money: €2720
2. Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani (QAT); Ierland VDL; 36.00 secs; €1680
3. Ali Al Khorafi (KUW); I; 33.31 secs; €1200

CSI2* - two phases - 1.30m
1. Rider: Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi (QAT); Horse: Quick Step; Time: 24.27 secs; Prize money: €750
2. Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani (QAT); Serendipity; 25.04 secs; €600
3. Ali Al Khorafi (KUW); Karaat; 25.22 secs; €450

Dressage Results
CDI5* GP - Grand Prix
1. Rider: Dinja van Liere (NED); Horse: Hartsuijker; Total: 75.152%; Prize money: €7500
2. Patrik Kittel (SWE); Touchdown; 72.870%; €6000
3 Jose Antonio Garcia Mena (ESP); Divina Royal; 72.261%; €4500

CPEDI3* - Grade I - Para Grand Prix B
1. Annemarieke Nobel (NED); Doo Schufro; 74.514%; €660
2. Ana Isabel Mota Veiga (POR); Convicto 62.014%; €500

CPEDI3* - Grade II - Para Grand Prix B
1. Beatrice de Lavalette (USA); Sixth Sense; 74.555%; €660
2. Fiona Howard (USA); Jagger; 73.944%; €500
3. Pepo Puch (AUT); Fuerst Chili; 71.444%; €400

CPEDI3* - Grade III - Para Grand Prix B
1. Lotte Krijnsen (NED); Rosenstolz N.O.P.; 72.222%; €660
2. Anni Meijer (NED); Istmo de Lyw; 65.000%; €500

CPEDI3* - Grade IV - Para Grand Prix B
1. Kate Shoemaker (USA); Quiana; 77.793%; €660
2. Rodolpho Riskalla (BRA); Irish Coffee BH; 71.532%; ; €500
3. Manon Claeys (BEL); Katharina Sollenburg; 71.396%; ; €400

CPEDI3* - Grade V - Para Grand Prix B
1. Ulricke Dekeyzer (BEL);  Cleverboy Van d'Abelendreef; 67.939%; €660
2. Kevin van Ham (BEL); Eros Van Ons Heem 67.412%; €500
3. Camilla Christensen (DEN); Fursten; 67.412%; €400

CPEDI Teams 
1. United States Points: 446.852
2. Netherlands 432.391
3.  Belgium 415.486