But Epaillard finally got lucky when it mattered as the 41-year-old clinched the feature class of the GCT season opener with his 11-year-old stallion Usual Suspect d’Auge. It was the Frenchman’s second Grand Prix title, after he had won the home event in Paris last year.
The CSI5* 1.60 class had a total of five combinations in the jump-off, with Epaillard holding his nerve and marshalling Usual Suspect d’Auge expertly. The pair were first to start in the jump-off and they were off to a flier despite the windy conditions at the floodlit Al Shaqab arena. Their solid faultless round in 40.11 seconds was a tough time to beat.
Britain’s Ben Maher followed closely keeping the audience at the edge of their seats with a near-perfect round aboard Explosion W. They took second place in 40.54 seconds. Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts followed up his win on Friday by taking the third place with H&M Chilli Willi in 43.45 seconds.
The fourth place went to Frank Schuttert of the Netherlands with Chianti’s Champion, followed by Italy’s Alberto Zorzi and Contanga in fifth. Both riders finished with 4 penalties, which spoiled their chances of a podium finish.
Epaillard was surprised by his victory and gave himself a pat on the back after picking up a winner’s pursue of €123,750 from a total prize money €375.000. “I have to pay credit myself for my victory today,” he said.
“It was crazy to ride in the Grand Prix. I had a little chance and I was surprised when I rode in the first round. In the Jump-Off there were only five riders and I tried my best and it worked. It’s a nice feeling,” Epaillard said.
On missing out on first place three times this week, he said: “I wasn’t actually thinking about winning the Grand Prix but it’s fantastic. It’s my second LGCT win after Paris and I am very happy to win it.”
He also became the first rider to qualify for LGCT Super Grand Prix at Prague Play-offs in November.
Shanghai Swans won the second round of Global Champions League followed by Valkenswaard United and New York Empire.
“It’s great. Prague is a nice place. I had a chance to ride there last year, it was special and I am already excited to be riding there again,” Epaillard said.
Meanwhile, Shanghai Swans soared to the lead in Global Champions League team rankings, after experienced duo of Daniel Deusser and Pius Schwizer fired their team to victory. Both pulled out a flawless performance to deliver the only faultless score of the event, finishing ahead of Valkenswaard United’s pairing of Bertram Allen and Frank Schuttert, with New York Empire’s Scott Brash and Hans-Dieter Dreher taking third.A delighted Daniel said: “We have a very good team, but still in the end you have to get the job done. We had a strong day on Thursday, and two clear rounds today — I have a super partner with Pius, so we’re very happy.”
Pius praised his teammates, both equine and human: “My horse jumped amazing, and in my mind Daniel is the best rider in the world at the moment, so thank you Daniel!”
Despite their early win, Daniel remained humble about the long season ahead, and the strength of the teams this season.
“I expected more teams on a double clear today, but it showed the course was tough. There were faults everywhere. It’s a long season, but the first step is done so we hope to continue like this.”
In the GCL individual 1,55m/1,60m class, Kevin Staut astride ten-year-old Viking d’La Rousserie came out on top in 72.16 seconds. Ben Maher followed suit with Explosion W, while Bertram Allen and Harley vd Bisschop finished third in 72.7 seconds.
Results
CSI 5* Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha - 1.60m (€375.000)
1. Julien Epaillard (FRA). Horse: Usual Suspect d’Auge. Round 1 time: 81.72 secs; Jump off time: 40.11 secs; Prize money: 123,750EUR
2. Ben Maher (GBR) Explosion W. 80.83 secs; 40.55 secs; 75,000 EUR
3. Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) H&M Chilli Willi; 80.65 secs; 43.43 secs; 56,250,00 EUR
CSI 5* GCL of Doha Round 2 - 1.55m (€95.000 to individual class winners)
1. Kevin Staut (FRA) Horse: Viking d’La Rousserie. Time: 72.16 secs; Prize money: 23,750 euros
2. Ben Maher (GBR) Explosion W. 72.33 secs; 19,000 euros
3. Bertram Allen (IRL) Harley vd Bisschop; 72.70 secs; 14,250 euros
GCL Team results
1. Shanghai Swans; Riders: Daniel Deusser (Calisto Blue) 76.56 secs; Pius Schwizer (Cortney Cox) 78.63 secs. Total time: 155.28 secs
2. Valkenswaard United. Bertram Allen (Harley vd Bisschop) 72.70 secs; Frank Schuttert (Chianti’s Champion) 76.95 secs. Penalties: 4. Total time: 149.65 secs
3. New York Empire. Scott Brash (Hello Senator) 76.44 secs; Hans-Dieter Dreher (Prinz) 75.62 secs, Penalties: 4. Total time: 152.06 secs.
