In a scintillating prelude to today’s Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha, Hans-Dieter Dreher astride Vestmalle des Cotis delivered a masterclass in speed and precision to claim victory under the dazzling lights of the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab yesterday. The electrifying 1.50m jump-off class, designed by Peter Schumacher, tested the world’s elite horse and rider combinations to perfection, delivering an evening of high-stakes sport.
Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar came agonisingly close, finishing just 0.99 seconds behind Dreher with his exceptional partner, Legend, securing the runner-up position. Meanwhile, German maestro Marcus Ehning and his striking grey, DPS Revere, produced a textbook round to complete the podium in third place. A thrilled Dreher reflected on his win: “I’m really happy today. My horse jumped amazingly — I know he is really, really fast. It was a quick jump-off, and normally he doesn’t favour left turns, but today he did!”
All eyes now turn to today’s Super Saturday, the first of the season, where the stakes are at their highest. The world’s best will battle for the opening Golden Ticket to the prestigious LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs in November.

Al-Mahmoud thrills fans with CSI1* Grand Prix 1.30m title
Earlier in the day, at the Longines indoor arena, Qatar’s Ibrahim Yousuf al-Mahmoud thrilled local fans and riders alike as he continued to show his mettle claiming the CSI1* Grand Prix International with Jump-off (1.30m) title.
Al-Mahmoud, who had won the CSI3* Against the clock (1.40m) class title with bay gelding Qataro van het Texelhof on Wednesday, on this occasion rode grey mare Perle van Dorperheide with finesse clocking the best 36.15secs in the jump off. Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly was a close second with bay mare Tiamo Z (36.99secs), while Kuwait’s Hussain Alkharafi on chestnut mare Miss’s Blue S Z was third in 38.30secs. The winners were crowned by Mohammed Jaber al-Khayarin, the Event Director.

Seabra wins CSI3* Grand Prix 1.50m class
Duarte Seabra of Portugal also showed good form riding bay mare Geniale Star Kervec for CSI3* Grand Prix with Jump-off (1.50m) class glory. Alsharbatly settled for the second place with his mount Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior, a bay stud, while Frenchman Simon Delestre took the third podium spot with bay gelding Moeboetoe v/d Roshoeve, picking up 8 penalties while clocking a swift 38.45secs. The winners were crowned by Dr Thani al-Kuwari, Second Vice-President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Board Member of Al Shaqab.
Earlier, Alsharbatly started his day in glorious fashion winning the CSI5* International Two Phases (1.45m) class astride black gelding Alamo. German Kendra Claricia Brinkop, riding chestnut gelding Surprising Dream S.H.O. Z, was second, and Spaniard Mariano Martinez Bastida on bay stud Origi van’t Geyzeven, came third. The winners were crowned by Saud al-Rumaihi, Director of Facilities and Support Department at the Organizing Committee of the championship.
The opening CSI3* Against the clock (1.40m) class was bagged by French Ines Joly, who with bay mare Faylinn de Fondcombe clocked flawless 54.20secs. The second podium place was claimed by Qatar’s Ibrahim Yousuf al-Mahmoud with his trusted mount Qataro van het Texelhof. Spaniard Mariano Martinez Bastida was third riding bay stud Quark de Preuilly Z (55.04secs). The winners were honoured by Hamza al-Kuwari, Director of Corporate Services at Al Shaqab.

Qatar’s Haya tops CSIJ-B with Jump-off (1.25m) class
Qatar’s promising and fast rising junior Haya al-Hitmi gave another fine display of her fine riding skills as she took the top podium spot in the FEI Group 7 qualifying CSIJ-B with Jump-off (1.25m) class. Al-Hitmi combined with bay mare Hustique of QEF to clock the flawless best time of 36.37secs in the jump off.
Abdulla Khalid al-Julandani on bay mare Irschi of Al Shaqab, finished in second place clocking 36.04 secs but with 4 penalties, while Mohammed Jassim A J al-Thani on bay mare Cattleya Plassay (from Europe) was third with a time of 36.39secs (4 penalties). The winners were crowned by Abdullah al-Qashouti, Marketing and Communications Manager at the Championship.
Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Alhady won the CSI1* with Immediate Jump-off (1.15m) class combining with chestnut gelding Doremi du Flot Z and clocking 30.27secs in the jump off. Kuwait’s Misk Almarshoud on bay gelding Eddie finished second (31.38secs), while Qatar’s Abdulaziz Khalid al-Bukhari took the third podium place riding bay mare Ganges Loca (31.52secs).
Saudi Arabia’s Tamara Alomran riding Harold Loisel claimed the top podium place in the Future Riders’ Optimum Time 100cm class clocking 63.13secs, 3.13secs from the ideal time, while Jordan’s Joud Bassam Elaker on Lambada T was second in 63.33secs. Qatar’s Khalifa Joaan H K al-Thani claimed the third podium place riding Ardfry Apollo and clocking 63.46secs.
Ahmed Khaled al-Humaidi, Heritage and Heritage Specialist at Al Shaqab, crowned the winners.