American rider Kristen Vanderveen in action riding Starbucks 27.
Doha, Qatar: American rider Kristen Vanderveen opened the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) Cup in style, claiming victory in the CSI5* 1.50m Faults & Time class on the opening day of the competition, part of the Doha Equestrian Tour at Al Shaqab.
Riding Starbucks 27, Vanderveen delivered a flawless round to finish in 71.31 seconds and secure top honours ahead of Austria’s Gerfried Puck on Equitron Naxcel V, who clocked 72.95 seconds, while Jordan’s Nasouh Kayali on Kamacho PS took third place in 77.24 seconds.
The four-day event has attracted more than 170 riders representing 21 countries, competing across one- to five-star categories with a total prize purse of €784,000.
In the CSI5* Two Phases 1.40m class, Qatar’s Rashid Towaim Ali Al Marri riding Navaronne secured first place with a clear round in 29.97 seconds.
Kuwait’s Annaz Al Annaz on Carlsson 69 finished second in 32.11 seconds, while Sheikh Fahad Jassim Al Thani on Lavesther placed third in 32.20 seconds.
Kuwait’s Madhy Alkhamis topped the CSI1* 1.25m Faults & Time class riding Caheelah de Beaufour, completing the course in 56.24 seconds. Qatar’s Ahmad Jassim Al Suwaidi on Mona Lansia M finished second in 59.54 seconds, while Abdul Aziz Jassim Al Thani on Steve Jobs secured third place in 60.54 seconds.
In the CSI1* Special Two Phase 1.10m class, Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Al Hadi riding DSP Cessy claimed first place with a time of 25.85 seconds. Qatar’s Abdulla Ahmad Al Musafri on Celia Z finished second in 27.03 seconds, while Mohammad Al Ghazali on Palmer - V took third place in 27.16 seconds.
Commenting on the start of the tournament, tournament deputy director Mohammed Jaber Al-Khayarin affirmed that the event continues to solidify its position as one of the highlights of the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026, given the wide participation of elite riders, including several internationally ranked riders, reflecting the growing confidence in tournaments hosted by the State of Qatar.
He said: “Holding this championship comes at a time when some countries are experiencing a pause in sporting events, which highlights Qatar’s readiness, the continuity of its organizational system, and its ability to organize and host major events according to the highest international standards, ensuring a safe and competitive environment for all participants.”
He added: “We were keen to dedicate all resources to ensuring the highest levels of technical and organizational readiness for both riders and their horses, through a proactive approach based on advance planning, integrated roles, and continuous coordination with partners and relevant authorities, contributing to a comprehensive competitive experience that meets the aspirations of the participants.”
