President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria H E Bola Ahmed Tinubu crowned the podium winners of LGCT Grand Prix of Doha at Al Shaqab's Longines Arena. Member of the Board of Directors at Al Shaqab Rashid bin Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi and Event President Jan Tops are also present.
Doha, Qatar: Belgium’s Abdel Said and the magnificent Bonne Amie clinched the prestigious Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Grand Prix of Doha title after a thrilling jump off battle at Al Shaqab’s Longines Arena yesterday.
The sensational jump of the €375,000 competition saw Said and Bonne Amie displaying brilliant performance to clock 37.33 seconds, edging out Ireland’s Harry Allen and Calculatus by a mere 0.21 seconds in his maiden appearance in a LGCT Grand Prix.
“I am really delighted with her, she’s an incredible horse but she’s a sensitive big lady. I struggled a little in the jump-offs last year, I would maybe override her a little or not ride with enough feeling… but today it felt as though she matured and grew with some small changes and I am really thrilled that it came together today, she truly deserves this win,” said Abdel Said after his memorable triumph.
“To be here in this incredible venue at Al Shaqab is an incredible feeling - a mix of the hospitality, the venue, the organisation by the team at Global Champions, it couldn’t be a better time for it all to come together,” he added.
Belgium’s Abdel Said astride Bonne Amie celebrates his memorable LGCT Grand Prix of Doha triumph.
German legend Marcus Ehning and Coolio 42 were third with a time of 38.08 followed by Wilm Vermeir on Iq van het Steentje (38.44), with Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman Alrajhi astride Ventago, securing impressive 5th after clocking 39.09.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Denis Lynch topped the CS15* Against the Clock contest, clocking a stunning 56.31 with spirited Vistogrand. Abdel Said, astride Arpege Du Ru, also produced a commendable performance sealing second place with a time of 57.40 while Spaniard Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, who teamed up with D’orient Batilly, completed the podium in 58.03.
Great Britain’s Oliver Fletcher (Hello William) and Austria’s Gerfried Puck (Equitron Ornaat V) rounded up the top five with times of 60.96 and 61.66 as 20 riders and horses combinations took part in the competition.
On Friday, Cannes Stars won the opening round of the 2024 Global Champions League season, making history as the first all-female team of six riders took lead in the championship race.
In an exciting showdown, the Cannes Stars propelled to victory, led by the stellar performances of Sophie Hinners aboard Iron Dames Singclair, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann with Messi van ‘t Ruytershof, and Sanne Thijssen riding Con Quidam RB.
The Championship race now heads to America for LGCT Miami Beach scheduled from April 3 to 6.
