DOHA: French rider Patrice Delaveau yesterday dominated the proceedings by winning the Medium Grand Prix-CSI 3* show jumping event on day three of CHI Al Shaqab.
Following the first two days of CHI Al Shaqab’s competitions, yesterday’s events gathered equestrian enthusiasts from all corners of the globe to witness top-tier show jumping and dressage contests.
With all tickets to day three selling out, attendance from the public was high.
Held at Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, the day commenced with the CSI 3*-Medium Grand Prix show jumping event.
Delaveau did not disappoint, outlasting a total of 37 riders from 15 nations, ultimately seizing the title.
Celebrating his achievement, he said: “It’s always a great feeling to put a victory under your belt, but to do it in this beautiful arena is a plus. I’ve never seen anything quite like it and it’s an honour to be able to ride here.”
Clarissa Crotta (SUI), having competed in the CSI 3*-Medium Grand Prix and going through to the jump off, echoed those sentiments saying: “My mare competed brilliantly. This is only my second show with her and she was incredibly strong and jumped superbly. This is an amazing stadium with fantastic facilities and we really couldn’t ask for more.”
During the afternoon performance, a team of 10 vaulters from Germany demonstrated their athletic talent to the audience by conducting a series of flips, turns and lifts on a trotting horse.
Vaulting is a rapidly growing discipline and is most commonly described as gymnastics on a horse.
To wrap up the day’s equestrian competition, the Dressage CDK4* - Al Shaqab Grand Prix competition was held in the evening.
Dressage is a highly competitive equestrian sport where both the horse and rider are expected to perform from memory a series of predetermined movements.
The sport, for example, is commonly referred to as horse ballet.
Several Olympic competitors participated in this event, including Nathalie Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, who was a member of the Danish equestrian team in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Kristina Sprehe (GER), currently ranked fifth in the world in dressage, also competed.
Additionally, throughout the competition a 17,000 square metre spectator plaza including a trade market, fashion exhibition, food court and dedicated children’s zone, has been made available to all members of the public who wish to celebrate Qatar’s rich heritage in equine culture and sport.
To end the day of equestrian sporting activities, a gala dinner was held for riders, officials and other leading representatives from the four-day event. Final equestrian competitions will commence tomorrow at 14:00 hours in Al Shaqab’s main arena.
THE PENINSULA
