‘Unbelievable’ feeling as Tebbel wins Grand Prix

Having arrived in Doha just a day before, Rene Tebbel stole the thunder at the QNB Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship as the Ukrainian won the Grand Prix title yesterday.
At the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s outdoor arena, Tebbel took out an impressive victory with 10-year-old stallion Cosun taking long strides around the course to give the rider his maiden win in Qatar. 
Just like the rest of the field, the 48-year-old Tebbel was clearly stunned by his unexpected victory. “It’s just an unbelievable feeling,” said Tebbel. “I arrived here just a day ago, just for these two classes. I have come to Qatar many times before, but had never ridden here at QEF. It’s a beautiful place. I was thinking I may finish second or third, but the jump off was really good. I knew it’s really a good horse. I just came for two days and I had hoped to do well. But this is really a surprise,” he added.
Only four of the 12 riders made it to the jump off for Grand Prix title, the biggest prize money event of the championship. Tebbel and Cosun were last to go, with Edwina Tops-Alexander and Inca Boy Van T Vianahof’s time of 51.81 seconds to beat. The pressure was on Tebbel put he kept his composure and found a perfect sync with Cosun, which flew around the course as the pair came home fastest in 48.18 secs.
Tebbel, who earned €22,975 for his victory, was gushing in his praise of Cosun. “The horse is owned by (Russian rider Vladimir) Tuganov. I just ride him on the shows. He is trained by Tuganov. I have ridden him in many shows and I know how good he is. I had a good result this time. I was thinking maybe I won’t be fast enough in jump off. But after Cosun took few strides I felt could beat the time. My previous best was fifth here. This is my first win in Qatar,” said Tebbel.
Edwina, who had won on Friday to break her victory drought, finished runner-up, her second on the day. She had also taken second spot in 145cm class. The third place went to Great Britain’s Alexandra Thornton, who despite making a fault with Cornetto K, made it to the podium. It was a disappointing night for star Qatar rider Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani, who failed to make jump off with First Devision, to finish fifth.
Earlier, Derin Demirsoy of Turkey won the 145cm class with his 14-year-old bay Dadjak Ter Puttenen. The pair were comfortable winners, with more than two and half second margin over Edwina Tops-Alexander and Veronese Teamjoy. Demirsoy’s winning time was 49.03 secs, while Edwina came home in 51. 89 secs. The third place went to Greece’s Athina Onassis, who mounting Vannan finished her round in 64.01 secs.  “It was a great competition overall,” said the 23-year-old Demirsoy. “Everything went well and I am very pleased with this outcome. We had two fantastic weeks though we were a bit unlucky at times. It’s a great facility here in Qatar and I am very happy to be part of it,” he added.
The Turkish rider listed out his future plans, and was looking forward to returning to Qatar next March. “I have international shows indoors in Holland. That’s an indoor event as it will be freezing outside. There are some young horses. I will ride them. Then I have a big show in Austria after that. Hopefully I will be back in Doha, maybe next March,” he noted.
In the 135cm class, Kuwaiti rider Ali al-Khorafi continued his good run in Qatar as he led Loki Doki to victory. The winning time was 56.53 secs. Qatar’s Awad al-Qahtani was second with Gerenice of Colors in 57.65 secs, while Yara al-Hunaidi capped off a wonderful day for Kuwait as she finished third with Dinky Toy Van De Castershoeve in 58.92 secs.

Results
GRAND PRIX - World Cup
Competition| Two Rounds 160cm class €91,900
1. Rene Tebbel (Ukraine) Cosun. Time: 48.18 secs. €22,975
2. Edwina Tops-Alexander (Australia) Inca Boy Van T Vianahof. 51.81 secs. €18,380
3. Alexandra Thornton (Great Britain) Cornetto K. 60.00. €13,785

Table A, One Round + Winning Round FEI Art. 276.2.1, 2.3 | Max. 145 cm | Prize Money € 24,600
1. Derin Demirsoy (Turkey) Dadjak Ter Puttenen. Time: 49.03 secs. Prize money: € 6,150
2. Edwina Tops-Alexander (Australia) Veronese Teamjoy. 51.89 secs. € 4,920
3. Athina Onassis (Greece) Vannan. 64.01 secs. € 3,690

Table A, Against the clock FEI Art. 238.2.1 | Max. 130/135 cm | Prize Money: €7,000
1. Ali al-Khorafi (FEI) Loki Doki. Time: 56.53 secs. Prize money: €1,750
2. Awad al-Qahtani (Qatar) Gerenice of Colors. 57.65 secs. €1,400
3. Yara al-Hunaidi (FEI) Dinky Toy Van De Castershoeve. 58.92 secs. €1,050