Ehning and Stargold off to a flying start at CHI Al Shaqab

Germany’s Marcus Ehning on Stargold continued their love affair with Al Shaqab arena as the pair cruised to CSI 5*1.50m victory on the opening day of the 10th edition of Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines on Thursday.
Ehning and 12-year-old stallion Stargold had won the Grand Prix last year, and the combination were once again unbeatable on the course as they stopped the clock in 63.52 seconds. Brazilian Francisco Jose Mesquita Musa (63.67 secs) and Frenchman Kevin Staut (64.24 secs) took their second podium places of the day as they finished second and third with Catch me Marathon and Chepetta respectively.
Ehning, a former World No 1 who has an Olympic gold from Sydney Games, credited his horse Stargold for the victory: “My horse loves this arena! Today he made a very good start and we were able to build on that and go on to win. I’m very pleased. Stargold is an 11-year-old stallion with a strong personality and I’m so proud of him and his achievements,” the 48-year-old said.
The first of the CSI5* jumping events, held over a course of 1.45m fences, was won by Shane Breen, riding his mare Haya to a clear round in a best time of 30.84 secs. The Irishman finished ahead of Staut (31.12 secs), riding Dialou Blue PS, and Musa (31.60 secs) on Carte de Blue PS Marathon.
Shane commented: “I am delighted with this result. Since Haya is quick and has a long stride, I felt this well-spread course layout would suit her. She has the heart of a lion and is super smart, super careful. I have to say that the facilities and canter track here are second-to-none. It’s a great venue, with perfect weather!”
Meanwhile, the USA’s Kate Shoemaker, riding Quiana, was the overall winner of the Para-Dressage Grand Prix CPEDI3*. The American rider’s final score was a remarkable 76.250% – her personal best on this horse in the Grand Prix A test.
Shoemaker has been building an ever-closer relationship with her nine-year-old mare for the past year, since they first performed together at the 2022 CHI Al Shaqab. En route, they even took a silver medal at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark – though the young mare had never actually been intended as Kate’s ride there, but instead replaced her older horse in a late substitution.
A Grade IV para-athlete with a degree of motor control disfunction, Kate has been making a great impact with Quiana – whose name, fittingly, means ‘graceful one’. The pair are now targeting next year’s Paris Paralympics where, thanks in part to this result, they should be among the favourites. Second and third place yesterday went to Demi Haerkens of the Netherlands and Manon Claeys of Belgium, respectively.
Shoemaker said: “It went amazingly well today and Quiana performed beautifully for me. It’s not easy for horses coming from the cold of Europe to adjust to the heat here, so we let her rest as much as possible, to be sure she was ready for the competition. I’m thrilled to have come out on top.”
Earlier, the day’s competition had begun with a remarkable Qatari 1-2-3 finish in the 2-star showjumping class (CSI 2*) over 1.30m fences. Mohamed Saeed Haidan, riding his 15-year-old grey mare, Miss Chilli took the top spot. Runner-up was Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi, riding Quick Step, while third place went to Saeed Hamad Juma on Ambre de Beaufort.
In the 1.45m jumping category (CSI 2* class), top honours went to Qatar’s Bassem Mohammed on his 12-year-old bay stallion, Asia – ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan, on Kwikly, and fellow Qatari, Faleh Suwaed Al Ajamai, riding Ghana.
In addition to the great sporting action, guests enjoyed a wide range of entertainments, including stilt-walkers, street performers and a supercar exhibition, as well as high-quality food and beverage options from the various restaurants and cafes present.

Showjumping Results
Against the clock (1.50 m) - Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.1 - CSI5*
1. Horse: Stargold; Rider: Marcus Ehning (GER); Penalites: 0l Time: 63.52 secs; Prize money: €24.425
2. Catch me Marathon; Francisco Jose Mesquita Musa (BRA); 0; 63.67 secs; €19,540
3. Cheppetta; Kevin Staut (FRA); 64.24 sec; €14.655

Two phases special (1.45m) - Table A, FEI Art. 274.2.5 - CSI5*
1. Horse: Haya; Rider: Shane Breen (IRL); Penalties: 0; Time: 30.84 secs; Prize money: €6.550
2. Dialou Blue PS; Kevin Staut (FRA) 0; 31.12 secs; €5.240
3. Carte de Blue PS Marathon; Francisco Jose Mesquita Musa (BRA); 0; 31.60 secs; €3.930

Against the clock (1.45m) - Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.1 - CSI2*
1. Horse: Aslan; Rider: Bassem Mohamed (QAT); Penalties: 0; Time: 61.39 secs; Prize money: €7.205
2. Kwikly; Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan; (KSA); 0; 63.91 secs; €5.240,00
3. Ghana; Faleh Suwead al-Ajami (QAT); 0; 64.99 secs; €3.930,00

Against the clock (1.30m) - Table A, FEI Art. 238.2.1 - CSI2*
1. Horse: Miss Chili; Rider: Mohamed Saeed Haidan (QAT); Penalties: 0; Time: 62.15 secs; Prize money: €750
2. Quick Step; Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi (QAT); 0; 62.55 secs; €525
2. Ambre de Beaufour; Saeed Hamad Juma (QAT0; 0; 62.55 sec; €525

Para dressage
FEI Para Grand Prix A - Grade IV - CPEDI3*
1. Horse: Quiana; Rider: Kate Shoemaker (USA); Total: 76.250%
2. EHL Daula N.O.P; Demi Haerkens (NED); 72.083%
3. Katharina Sollenburg; Manon Claeys (BEL); 71.620%

FEI Para Grand Prix A - Grade III - CPEDI3*
1. Horse: Rosenstolz N.O.P.; Rider: Lotte Krijnsen (NED) Total: 71.556%; Prize money: €330
2. Istmo de Lyw; Anni Meijer (NED) 66.056%; €250

FEI Para Grand Prix A - Grade II - CPEDI3*
1. Horse: Jagger; Rider: Fiona Howard (USA); Total: 72.931%; Prize money: €330
2. Sixth Sense; Beatrice de Lavalette (USA); 71.379%; €250,00
3. Fuerst Chili; Pepo Puch (AUT); 71.207%; €200

FEI Para Grand Prix A - Grade I - CPEDI3*
1. Horse: Doo Schufro; Rider: Annemarieke Nobel (NED); Total: 72.917%; Prize money: €330
2. Convicto; Ana Isabel Mota Veiga (POR); 65.139%; €200

FEI Para Grand Prix A - Grade V - CPEDI3*
1. Horse: Fursten; Rider: Camilla Christensen (DEN); Total: 67.692%; Prize money: €300
2. Eros van Ons Heem; Kevin van Ham (BEL); 66.923%; €250,00
3. Cleverboy van d'Abelendreef; Ulricke Dekeyzer (BEL); 64.616%; €200