Alrajhi emerges victorious with Ventago on opening day

Abdulrahman Alrajhi led a 1-2 for Saudi Arabia on the opening leg of the Global Champions Tour at the glittering Al Shaqab on Thursday. With 32 of the world’s best riders and horses in action in the CSI5* 1.45m speed class, Alrajhi trumped his countryman Abdullah Alsharbatly to claim the day one honours.
Alrajhi aboard the head-turning 11-year-old Ventago stormed into the lead in 59: 28 seconds. In a nail-biting finish, he edged out his Alsharbatly and the spirited Dancing Wolf O.L by a mere 0.20 seconds, proving that every fraction of a second counts in the world of show jumping.
Speaking after his victory, Alrajhi said: “It is always special to win a Global Champions Tour class and even more special in Doha, especially in front of this crowd. Such an amazing facility in Al Shaqab. Honestly, I must say Ventago is on fire, he is such a great horse and I am very happy to have him and I think he made it with almost zero effort... it felt like he was just playing with the class and he won it!”
A beaming Alrajhi went on to add: “The class suited him, and of course, we had one of the best course designers in the world, Uliano Vezzani. It is a nice class to win without putting in an extreme effort, and I am thrilled with this preparation for the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha this Saturday.”
Adding to the international flair of the event, the Flying Frenchman, Olivier Perreau, clinched the third spot with Bresil de Carnaval Santa Rosa in 61:98 seconds, launching his week with style and finesse.
With a total of 15 clear rounds, the competition was nothing short of exhilarating. Mouda Zeyada on Katia and Ines Joly aboard the vibrant Faylinn de Fondcombe rounded off the top five, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats.
Notably, both Philipp Schulze Topphoff and Nadja Peter Steiner opted for a steady round, collecting time faults strategically to conserve their horse power for the high-stakes challenges ahead, hinting at the thrilling battles yet to come.
After an extraordinary first day, the GCL Championship race will kick off today. GCL Doha promises an adrenaline-fuelled spectacle with two back-to-back rounds of top-tier team show jumping, setting the stage for an epic showdown of talent, teamwork, and triumph.

Results
CSI3* 2 Phases Special - Height: 1.35m - Prize: €5,000
Rank, Rider, Horse, Prize Money, Penalties, Time
1: Ali al-Khorafi, Karaat, €1,250, 0, 0,
28.35 Secs
2: Sheikh Khalifa al-Thani, Emiro Delle Sementarecce, €1,000, 0, 0, 29.14
3: Cyrine Cherif, Triple T Calamando Blue, €750, 0, 0, 29.74

CSI3* Against the clock NO Jump off - 1.45m - €28,200
1: Emanuele Gaudiano, Crack Balou, €7,050, 0, 57.25
2: Santiago Lambre, Cetano Van Aspergem Z, €5,640, 0, 58.52
3: Khaled Almobty, Diana Du Plevau Z, €4,230, 0, 58.69

CSI5* 2 Phases - 1.45m - €10,000
1: Oliver Fletcher, BP Pocahontas, €2,500, 0, 0, 27.50
2: Simon Delestre, Cayman Jolly Jumper, €2,000, 0, 0, 28.19
3: Sanne Thijssen, Con Quidam RB, €1,500, 0, 0, 28.26

CSI5* Against the clock NO Jump off - 1.45m - €28,200
1: Abdulrahman Alrajhi, Ventago, €7,050, 0, 59.28
2: Abdullah Alsharbatly, Dancing Wolf O.L, €5,640, 0, 59.48
3: Olivier Perreau, Bresil De Carnaval Santa Rosa, €4,230, 0, 61.98

CSI1* Against the clock NO Jump off - 1.20m - €5,000
1: Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi, Bonne Chance, €1,250, 0, 50.54
2: Mohamed Almulaifi, Quiro R Z, €1,000, 0, 51.34
3: Salman Mohamed al-Emadi, Sealine, €750, 0, 51.45

CSICh 2 Phases Special - 1.05m
1: Mohamed Faisal al-Marri, Dusty, 0, 0, 33.50
2: Hadi Mansour al-Shahwani, Beyonce, 0, 0, 36.08
3: Sheikh Abdul Aziz Jassim A J al-Thani, Clintess 2, 1, 0, 39.19

CSIY 2 Phases Special - 1.25m - €100
1: Louise Sadran, Je T’adore, 41.50, 0, 0, 42.56
2: Saif Mohamed al-Naimi, Sidney 184, 32.50, 0. 4, 38.82
3: Saif Mohamed S A al-Kaabi, Jethro Colado, 26.00, 4, 2, 49.92

CSIJ 2 Phases Special - 1.15m - €100
1: Tameem Ibrahim al-Hor, Jalieny Diamant Z, 29.00, 0, 0, 34.02
2: Suhaim Hamad al-Yafei, Just In Time, 23.00, 0, 0, 36.86
3: Sheikh Mohamed Jassim A J al-Thani, Verenice 2, 18.00, 0, 4, 27.91