Omar Al Mannai, Event Director of Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab, and Bader Al Darwish, Secretary-General of Qatar and Asian Equestrian Federations and CHI Al Shaqab Organising Committee Member, posing for a photograph with the podium winners of the CSI5*
Belgian rider Olivier Philippaerts yesterday produced a flawless routine with H&M Legend Of Love to win the feature event on day one of the Commerial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines. Maintaining superb control over narrow lines, the 27-year-old remained steady with his 15-year old horse who clocked a time of 60.61 seconds to emerge faster than second-placed Scott Brash of Great Britain. Brash, astride Hello Vincent, also impressed yesterday during his routine watched by cheering fans at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab.
Hello Vincent, the 11-year-old stallion, looked in pristine running form (60.85 seconds) as the Briton picked up €18,980 for his efforts. First-placed Philippaerts, twin brother of Nicola Philippaerts, yesterday won €23,725 on what was the opening day of the three-day event held at this time of the year. The third-fastest time of 61.07 seconds was clocked by German rider Philipp Weishaupt who accompanied Coby 8 for the 1.55m competition staged in chilly conditions. Belgian Pieter Devos (Jade VD Bisschop, 61.58 seconds, €9,490) French rider Olivier Robert (Vivaldi des Meneaux, 62.12 seconds, €6,643) completed the top five.
Philippaerts was thrilled with his first performance. “If you look at the start list, you know that you have to ride fast if you want to play a role of importance. I didn’t let that distract me and wanted to ride my own round. It’s super that we can start again at the highest level here at this location. So I didn’t want to come to the start here unprepared,” Philippaerts said. “In January, I rode in Oliva to get my horses optimally ready for the outdoor season and I seem to have succeeded pretty well.
My horses already have some competitions in their legs and are in the rhythm. That certainly made a difference today,” the 27-year-old added after the race. Earlier yesterday, French rider Julien Epaillard and his 15-yearold ride Safari d’Auge exhibited no rustiness to c l i n c h t h e opening CSI5* competition in which Swedish riders dominated proceedings and grabbed the second and third spots respectively. Safari d’Auge clocked 32.19 seconds in the second phase of the 1.45m competition as Epaillard won €6,350 for his brilliant form in the 39-entry field. Sweden’s Henrik Von Eckermann, astride 9-year-old Carlotta, finished second in a time of 33.06 seconds. Von Eckermann won €5,080 while his compatriot and World Number 4 Peder Fredricson ended in third place with Hansson WL (33.34 seconds).
Fredricson, a Swedish Olympic medalist, won €3,810. French rider Penelope Leprevost (Verite Une Prince, 33.40 seconds, €2,540) and Belgium’s Jos Verlooy (Fabregas, 33.41 seconds, €1,778) secured the fourth and fifth spots respectively. The top-class action continues today with national and international riders set to be seen in various competitions at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab . The day’s proceedings will commence with Longines Hathab Series round (Small Tour, 1.15m) at 9:00am followed by the Para-Dressage CPEDI 3* at the Indoor Arena.
The Longines Hathab Medium Tour (1.35m) will start at 1:00pm while Dressage CDI 5* will begin at 3:00pm. The day’s last two events - both CS5 * competitions - will see riders in action in 1.50m and 1.60m classes.
