Age no bar as Tuganov, 56, wins with Suspens Floreval

For Vladimir Tuganov, age is no barrier. At 56, the Russian rider isstill going strong and is giving the youngsters a run for their money.Yesterday at the Qatar Federation Federation’s outdoor arena, Tuganovproved too good for his opponents as he guided his stallion SuspensFloreval to a commanding win in the 145 cm class at the QatarInternational Show Jumping Championship.Qatar’s young riders Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi astride Cantaro 32 andHamad al-Attiyah riding Clinton did their best but had to settle forsecond and third place respectively.Last night’s main event was a dress rehearsal for tonight’s FEI WorldCup competition and Tuganov laid down the gauntlet to his rivals with asupreme show. With the riders being allowed to ride with two horses,Tuganov was in with a chance to take two podium spots. But the two-timeOlympian finished fourth with his another horse, nine-year-old Qualidam,missing out on a double podium. The 11-year-old Suspens Floreval was not to deny Tuganov a victorythough. Tuganov, who is on his fourth visit to Doha, made best use ofhis knowledge of the conditions as he marshalled Suspens Floreval aroundthe course in a fastest time of 72.74 seconds. The victory made Tuganovricher by €15,450. Al-Suwaidi put in an excellent round with 17-year-old gelding Cantaro,but the pair fell short of the winning time by a mere 0.17 seconds.Their time of 72.91 seconds gave them a runner-up finish and al-Suwaidi apursue of €12,360. The third place went to Hamad al-Attiyah and10-year-old gelding Clinton in 73.04 seconds, which earned home rider€9,270. “It was a great competition,” Tuganov said. “I am happy to have done sowell. I am always confident going into a competition. I was good in thejump-off. The obstacles went smooth. This is my fourth time here in Dohaand it feels good to have won here,” the Moscow resident said. Earlier,Qatari riders swept the podium in the 135 cm class. Mubarak Yousufal-Rumaihi topped the timesheets with Siec Cosmos Wijngaardhoeve Z,cruising home in 35.68 secs.The second place went to Hamad Nasser al-Qadi (St. Lucia), while AwadAlqahtani (Gerenice Of Colors) took third sport. In the day’s openingevent, 120 cm class, Qatar took the first two spots. Ghanim Nasseral-Qadi on Fudine emerged triumphant ahead of compatriot, Mohammed Salemal-Marri on Gin Tonic Van De Kranenburg. Indonesia’s Ferry WahyuHadiyanto completed the podium with Looping 46.