Zanotelli shines with emphatic win at CHI Al Shaqab 2022

Doha: An outstanding performance was needed to win the feature class on second day of the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines 2022, and Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli rose to the occasion to prevail against a star-studded field on a difficult course.  

The 33-year-old, astride 11-year-old bay Like A Diamond van het Schaeck, dazzled the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab with a sizzling performance in jump off to win the CSI5* 1.60m, clocking 41.43 seconds, yesterday.

It was such a tough contest that Zanotelli’s winning time was merely half of a second ahead of Switzerland’s World No.2 Martin Fuchs, who clinched second position with Conner Jei after a time of 41.92 seconds.

Sweden’s Patrik Kittel celebrates with Touchdown after winning the Dressage Grand Prix.

Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson, riding 14-year-old bay H&M Indiana, secured third position in the feature class that saw just ten world class riders keeping the rails. 

“Today was my lucky day. The course suited my horse and he jumped very well. I am pleased after today’s win,” Zanotelli said at the presentation ceremony yesterday.   

“I will try my best in the Grand Prix tomorrow [today]. I am feeling confident after today. I will be riding a different horse tomorrow,” he added.

Sweden’s Baryard-Johnsson was also delighted with her performance yesterday. 

“It was a difficult course, one of the best I have competed in. And there are the best riders and horses here, so it wasn’t easy. But I felt great today to be out there. In the Grand Prix, my aim is to repeat what I did today,” she said.

Earlier, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel displayed a sparkling performance with ten-year-old bay Touchdown to win the CDI5* Dressage Grand Prix with a score of 77.652%. 

The podium winners of the Longines Hathab Medium Tour, Hussain Saeed Haidan, Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi and Rashid Towaim Al Marri with Omar Al Mannai, Event Director, Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines.

In a tough contest for the title, Dinja van Liere of the Netherlands - riding Hermes - ended as runner-up after tallying 77.522%. Hans Peter Minderhoud, also representing the Netherlands, claimed third position after earning a score of 77.152% with the Glock’s Dream Boy.      

“The touchdown is just an unbelievable horse. And what really excites me about him is that he’s always the same. You go in, he’s in the exam just like anywhere else. It gives you such a sense of security – even at home during training. As a rider, that gives you a sense of security. For me, the horse is one of the best in the world. Honestly, if I do my job well as a rider, that’s a horse that can also be dangerous at a championship,” said Kittel.                

Meanwhile, Khalifa Al Attiya, Vice Chairman of Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines, and Executive Director of Al Shaqab expressed his delight over the success of the prestigious event. 

“It’s the result of great effort by Supreme Organising Committee, headed by His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani,” Al Attiya said on the sidelines of second day’s proceedings. 

“We are in the ninth edition of this competition, which is the only CHI event to be staged in the Middle East. It is growing every year, attracting the best local jockeys and international riders from all over the world,” he added.          

“This event showcases top-notch showjumping, dressage as well as dressage for participants with special needs. The huge attendance of fans also reflects on a great success of Al Shaqab to make this event special at the global stage,” he added. 

Al Attiya also thanked Longines for their partnership in the event.  

“We have a long-term partnership with Longines, which is a leading global brand, known for the important role it plays in the field of equestrian sports. The history of Al Shaqab’s cooperation with Longines goes back for a long time,” he added. 

Al Attiya said this edition has witnessed strong competition, adding that today’s final day will be more exciting. 

“We have seen surprises in the first two days which shows how strong the competition has been in this event. Now the stage is set for exciting contests on the final day, which includes the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix presented by Longines,” he added.      

Qatar's Wejdan Majed Al Malki astride Mango Jacaro during the Dressage Grand Prix.

Qatar’s Wejdan Al Malki content with her show on five-star debut  

Meanwhile, Qatar’s dressage rider Wejdan Majed Al Malki, who became the first Qatari women to feature in a five-star event, was happy with her debut performance. 

Riding Mango Jacaro, Al Malki impressed home fans with a captivating performance as she competed against top stars in the Dressage Grand Prix.    

“I am very happy to make by debut in the five-star event,” the 44-year-old told reporters yesterday. 

“I was a bit nervous going into a difficult competition. I only focused on my horse and referee while performing but I was surprised to see such applause from fans. I thank them for their support,” she said.  

“This experience will help me in my bid to qualify for Paris Olympics and I want to thank Qatar Equestrian Federation for their support and assistance in making my participation possible,” she said. 

Al Malki will be seen in action today also as she is lined up to participate in two dressage events on the final day.

Results
CSI5* Jump Off (238.2.2) 1.60m Show jumping
1. Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA); Horse: Like A Diamond van het Schaeck, Time: 72.37 secs; jump off time: 41.43 secs, Prize money: €37,175
2. Martin Fuchs (SUI); Conner Jei; 73.34 & 41.92 secs, €29,740    
3. Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE); H&M Indiana; 70.88 & 42.98 secs, €22,305

CSI5* Table C (239) 1.45m Show jumping
1. Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER); Horse: Vestmalle des Cotis; Time: 60.62 secs, €6,375
2. Jur Vrieling (NED) Fernando- H; 61.06 secs, €5,100
3) Bart Bles (NED) Gin D, 61.98 secs, €3,825

CDI5* GP - Grand Prix (GP) Dressage
1. Patrik Kittel (SWE) Touchdown; 77.652%; €7,500
2. Dinja van Liere (NED); Hermes; 77.522%;€6,000
3. Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED): Glock’s Dream Boy N.O.P; 77.152%; €4,500

Para Dressage
CPEDI3* Team Classification 
1. Netherlands 211.185;  
2. United States of America 135.903
3. Belgium 127.622

CPEDI3* Individual I (I Ch Ind)
1. Jens Lasse Dokkan (NOR); Aladdin; Score: 76.726%; €660
2. Ana Isabel Mota Veiga (POR); Convicto; 70.595%; €500

CPEDI3* Individual II (II Ch Ind)
1. Loes Cevaal (NED); Happy Hero II 69.755%; €660
2. Annemarieke Nobel (NED); Doo Schufro; 68.823%; €500

CPEDI3* Individual III (III Ch Ind)
1. Lotte Krijnsen (NED) Rosenstolz 69.794%; €660 
2. Rebecca Hart (USA) El Corona Texel; 69.608%; €500

CPEDI3* Individual IV (IV Ch Ind)
1. Rodolpho Riskalla (BRA) Don Henrico; 78.902%; €600 
2. Kate Shoemaker (USA) Quiana 72.764%; €500 
3. Anne Mette Hasselstrom (DEN) Oestergaardens Deleight; 71.260%; €400

CPEDI3* Individual V (V Ch Ind)
1. Kevin van Ham (BEL); Eros Van Ons Heem; 72.381%; €600
2. Valentina Strobl (AUT); Bequia Simba; 68.333%; €500 
3. Britney de Jong (NED); Fleetwood RR; 68.175%;  €400

Longines Hathab - Medium Tour - 1.35 m - Faults & Time
1. Hussain Saeed Haidan (QAT); Viahipi D’Auzay; 65.23 secs
2. Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi (QAT); Happy Tina; 68.39 secs
3. Rashid Towaim Al Marri (QAT); Navaronne; 68.47 secs

Longines Hathab - Small Tour - 1.15 m - Special Two-Phase
1. Mohamed Abdulla Juma (QAT); Fito R; 31.58 secs
2. Saeed Hamad Jumaa (QAT); Jirocco Blue; 32.30 secs
3. Hamad Nasser Al Qadi; (QAT); Gibria-B; 32.49 secs