‘Unbelievable’ feeling as Tebbel wins Grand Prix

Havingarrived in Doha just a day before, Rene Tebbel stole the thunder at theQNB Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship as the Ukrainianwon the Grand Prix title yesterday.At the Qatar EquestrianFederation’s outdoor arena, Tebbel took out an impressive victory with10-year-old stallion Cosun taking long strides around the course to givethe rider his maiden win in Qatar.  Just like the rest of thefield, the 48-year-old Tebbel was clearly stunned by his unexpectedvictory. “It’s just an unbelievable feeling,” said Tebbel. “I arrivedhere just a day ago, just for these two classes. I have come to Qatarmany times before, but had never ridden here at QEF. It’s a beautifulplace. I was thinking I may finish second or third, but the jump off wasreally good. I knew it’s really a good horse. I just came for two daysand I had hoped to do well. But this is really a surprise,” he added.Onlyfour of the 12 riders made it to the jump off for Grand Prix title, thebiggest prize money event of the championship. Tebbel and Cosun werelast to go, with Edwina Tops-Alexander and Inca Boy Van T Vianahof’stime of 51.81 seconds to beat. The pressure was on Tebbel put he kepthis composure and found a perfect sync with Cosun, which flew around thecourse as the pair came home fastest in 48.18 secs.Tebbel, whoearned €22,975 for his victory, was gushing in his praise of Cosun. “Thehorse is owned by (Russian rider Vladimir) Tuganov. I just ride him onthe shows. He is trained by Tuganov. I have ridden him in many shows andI know how good he is. I had a good result this time. I was thinkingmaybe I won’t be fast enough in jump off. But after Cosun took fewstrides 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 onFriday to break her victory drought, finished runner-up, her second onthe day. She had also taken second spot in 145cm class. The third placewent to Great Britain’s Alexandra Thornton, who despite making a faultwith Cornetto K, made it to the podium. It was a disappointing night forstar Qatar rider Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani, who failed to makejump off with First Devision, to finish fifth. Earlier, DerinDemirsoy of Turkey won the 145cm class with his 14-year-old bay DadjakTer Puttenen. The pair were comfortable winners, with more than two andhalf second margin over Edwina Tops-Alexander and Veronese Teamjoy.Demirsoy’s winning time was 49.03 secs, while Edwina came home in 51. 89secs. The third place went to Greece’s Athina Onassis, who mountingVannan finished her round in 64.01 secs.  “It was a great competitionoverall,” said the 23-year-old Demirsoy. “Everything went well and I amvery pleased with this outcome. We had two fantastic weeks though wewere a bit unlucky at times. It’s a great facility here in Qatar and Iam very happy to be part of it,” he added. The Turkish rider listedout his future plans, and was looking forward to returning to Qatar nextMarch. “I have international shows indoors in Holland. That’s an indoorevent as it will be freezing outside. There are some young horses. Iwill ride them. Then I have a big show in Austria after that. Hopefully Iwill be back in Doha, maybe next March,” he noted.In the 135cmclass, Kuwaiti rider Ali al-Khorafi continued his good run in Qatar ashe led Loki Doki to victory. The winning time was 56.53 secs. Qatar’sAwad al-Qahtani was second with Gerenice of Colors in 57.65 secs, whileYara al-Hunaidi capped off a wonderful day for Kuwait as she finishedthird with Dinky Toy Van De Castershoeve in 58.92 secs.ResultsGRAND PRIX - World Cup Competition| Two Rounds 160cm class €91,9001. Rene Tebbel (Ukraine) Cosun. Time: 48.18 secs. €22,9752. Edwina Tops-Alexander (Australia) Inca Boy Van T Vianahof. 51.81 secs. €18,3803. Alexandra Thornton (Great Britain) Cornetto K. 60.00. €13,785Table A, One Round + Winning Round FEI Art. 276.2.1, 2.3 | Max. 145 cm | Prize Money € 24,6001. Derin Demirsoy (Turkey) Dadjak Ter Puttenen. Time: 49.03 secs. Prize money: € 6,1502. Edwina Tops-Alexander (Australia) Veronese Teamjoy. 51.89 secs. € 4,9203. Athina Onassis (Greece) Vannan. 64.01 secs. € 3,690Table A, Against the clock FEI Art. 238.2.1 | Max. 130/135 cm | Prize Money: €7,0001. Ali al-Khorafi (FEI) Loki Doki. Time: 56.53 secs. Prize money: €1,7502. 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