(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Rizwan Rehmat / The Peninsula
Veteran rider Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani yesterday produced a controlled routine with First Devision to win the Grand Prix title on day three of the QNB Qatar International Show Jumping Championship.
The 35-year-old Qatari sailed through the 160cm class - part of the FEI World Cup qualifying leg - to complete a memorable win in the four-rider jump-off.
Sheikh Ali's win - that came in 55.77 seconds - completed a dominating show for home riders who won two out of the three feature competitions at the CSI4* championship.
Veteran Australian rider Edwina Tops-Alexander finished in second spot with Inca Boy Vant T Viahanof in a time of 63.09 seconds.
Ali Al Khorafi, riding under the FEI flag, secured the third spot with Cheril (53.57 seconds) but got penalised for four faults.
Popular Turkish rider Derin Demirsoy (Harry K), finished in fourth place in a time of 51.23 seconds (12 faults).
Sheikh Ali won €22,975 while Tops-Alexander got €18,785. Third-placed Al Khorafi picked up €13,785 while Demirsoy got richer by €9,190.
'It's a good win as it will give me confidence for next week also, Sheikh Ali said. 'This was very good practice for future events. My horse has won three times before and he was sixth in the Olympics, he added.
'It seemed too easy for him but to win is always special, the Qatari said. 'It is very important for me to make my country happy. We did that today. We dominated at this championship because we have a good team now. We have good horses and good trainers.
'We work hard (for the wins) and you can see that every year.
Hopefully we will have the best team in the future also, the popular Qatari rider added.
Tops-Alexander said: 'I am very happy. This was the first time he went out for this Grand Prix. I couldn't be happier, I am also happy that Ali won. It was a very good win by him.
Continuing from where he left off at the LGCT final round last week, Qatar's Bassem Mohammed yesterday returned to the podium with a resounding win with Toymaker, edging veteran rider Tops-Alexander to the top spot.
Bassem sailed to his win in a time of 54.75 seconds in the 145cm class under lights at the QEF's Outdoor Arena.
Winner of the Doha Grand Prix at Al Shaqab last week, Bassem picked up the top prize of €6,150.
Tops-Alexander, astride eight-year-old Veronese Teamjoy, finished in second spot in a time of 57.37 seconds. The 43-year-old Australian won €4,920.
Greek rider Athina Onassis guided Vannan to a third-place finish in a time of 77.06 following a couple of faults. Onassis won €3,690.
'It is a really nice feeling since the Toymaker has just come back for competition after a rest, Bassem said after the event. 'Today was his day, thank God. I am just so happy that he jumped so well.
'I know that this event is not like LGCT but still we got to deliver. But I feel you have to respect the riders and horses at each class, Bassem said.
'Last week's win at Global Champions Tour was the biggest win of my career. To win especially here in Doha, I am so happy. I am motivated for the coming shows.
'I just need to stay focus and follow the plan from trainers. When you have the support of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, H E Sheikh Jooan bin Hamad Al Thani, then everything is possible, he said.
Turkish rider Demirsoy (Dadjak Ter Puttenen, 57.95 seconds, €2,460) and Rakan Al Hasawi (Dennis, 57.97 seconds, €1,722) completed the top five.
Earlier in competition 7 yesterday, Qatari rider Saeed Al Qadi emerged a runaway winner with Daydreamer EC as he won the 130/135cm class at QEF's Outdoor Arena.
Daydreamer EC clocked a time of 66.36 seconds as Al Qadi picked up €1,750 after claiming the top spot in a field of 25 riders.
French rider Cyrine Cherif guided Gerlin VD Waterkant to the second spot in a time of 73.05 seconds. Cherif won €1,400.
Yara Al Hunaidi, riding under the FEI flag, produced a neat but slow ride with Dinky Toy Van De Castershoeve who clocked a time of 79.32 seconds. Al Hunaidi won €1.050.
Qatar's Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi (Fiji, 84.46 seconds, €700) and Rakan
Al Hasawi (Denver, 63.80 seconds, 4 faults, €490) completed the top five.
Most of the riders will feature in the QNB Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship to be held from Nov 23-25 at QEF's Outdoor Arena.
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