(Doha, January 11, 2025) The first round of the three-leg Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025 concluded at the glorious Longines Outdoor and Indoor Arenas of Al Shaqab (Member, Qatar Foundation) on Saturday with 6 different rounds of one-star, two-star and four-star categories, in addition to a Future Riders’ class.
The first round witnessed the participation of more than 330 local and international riders, with the event carrying a total prize-money of more than 690 thousand euros.
Gerfried Puck emerges CSI4* Grand Prix champion
Austrian Gerfried Puck won a thrilling jump-off of the CSI4*-W – Grand Prix – Jump Off – 1.55m (LR) – Art. 238.2.2 class under lights to be crowned as the champion on the final day of the three-day first round of Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025. Puck was awarded the top prize of 41,175 euros.
Puck packed a punch astride chestnut stallion Equitron Naxcel V regaling the audience on the vast expanse with a flawless routine in 37 seconds. So close was the contest that Puck beat the time of Abdel Said of Belgium, who on chestnut mare Arpege du RU, clocked 37.1 seconds!
Britain’s Ellen Whitaker riding bay mare Korlenski finished as third in 37.16 seconds.
The Grand Prix champions were crowned by Mr. Ahmed Jaber Al-Mulla and Mr. Hamza Al-Kuwari, members of the Tour’s organizing committee.
CSI4* sees close contests
The CSI4*-W – Faults & Time – 1.45m (LR) – Art. 238.2.1 class held in the afternoon saw close and exciting contests with Abdullah Alsharbatly of Saudi Arabia beating the field astride bay stallion Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior. Alsharbatly claimed the top podium place returning the best flawless routine in a 53.36 secs, just ahead of the second-placed Austrian Gerfried Puck, who finished in 53.42 secs astride bay mare Equitron Melody Vd Smidshoeve. Portuguese Duarte Seabra on bay gelding Van Halen Z was third in 53.76 secs.
The winners were crowned by Mr. Saud Al Rumaihi, Director of Facilities and Logistics Support at the Organizing Committee of the championship.
Gaudiano wins CSI2* Grand Prix
The CSI2* – Grand Prix – Jump Off – 1.45m (LR) – Art. 238.2.2 class had fierce competition with 13 riders qualifying for the jump off. But Italian Emanuele Gaudiano, who showed excellent form throughout the first round, stood out riding grey stallion Quirinus 27 with a swift time of 35.10 secs. Olympian Edwina Tops-Alexander of Australia settled for the second place clocking 37.30 secs with bay gelding Uppercourt Cappucino. Swiss Nadja Peter Steiner was third on grey mare Mila with a time of 38.11 secs.
The winners were crowned by Mr. Khalid Al Juhani, Director of the Horse Breeding and Beauty Department at Al Shaqab.
The CSI2* – Faults & Time – 1.35m – Art. 238.2.1 class was bagged by Qatari rider Hussain Said A M Haidan on his mount D Saucedo, a dark bay gelding. Haidan had a clean and best time of 53.98 secs. Egyptian Ali Osama Mahmoud Sayed claimed the second place astride darkbay mare Obama van de Kwachthoeve clocking 55.19 seconds. The third spot went to Inigo Lopez De La Osa Franco of Monaco, who on bay stallion Golden Diamond finished in 55.36 secs.
Mr. Rashid Abdullah Al Ameri, Dean of Qatari riders, honoured the winners.
CSI1* title for Alhady
Saudi rider Khaled Alhady claimed the top honours in the CSI1* Grand Prix – Jump Off – 1.25m – Art. 238.2.2 class excelling on Doremi du Flot Z, a chestnut gelding, in 25.21 secs. Alhady’s compatriot Mohammed Alasaker, on bay stallion Scoobylensky Theyss, claimed the runners-up place with a time of 25.97 secs, while Qatar’s promising young rider Haya Khalid A E Al Hitmi rode lightbay mare Hustique impressively to be in the third spot on the podium, clocking 26.38 seconds.
The winners were crowned by Mr. Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin, Event Director, Doha International Tour 2025.
The following CSI1* – Faults & Time – 1.15m – Art. 238.2.1 class at the Longines Indoor Arena was won by Shaheen Abu Green of Lebanon. She rode bay mare Henriette to victory clocking 61.47 secs. Luis Alexandre of Portugal Dolgner Ferreira was second on bay mare Paula M 5 (64.87 sces), while Qatar’s Ibrahim Ali I B Al-Baker excelled on chestnut stallion Good Love Bruyeres (65.37 secs) to claim the third podium place.
The winners were crowned by Mr. Omar Al Buainain, the championship’s deputy director.
Qatar riders shine in 100cm round
In the National Competition – Optimum Time – 1.00m, Qatar’s Faisal Mohammed M Al Naimi rode Simply Cool with aplomb to emerge as the winner with a best time of 55.43. He was followed by Jude Bassam Elaker, riding Lambada, in 57.21 secs, while Mohammed Abdullah Al Marri on Whistler was third (57.27 secs).
The winners were crowned by Mr. Ahmed Khaled Al Humaidi, Heritage and Heritage Specialist at Al Shaqab.
Omar Al Buainain: Showjumping levels strong in first round
At the conclusion of the first round of the Doha International 2025, Mr. Omar Al Buainain, Deputy Director of the Championship, confirmed that the levels shown by the riders in the various rounds of the first round were strong and full of excitement, as the podiums witnessed a variety of winning riders, including riders from the State of Qatar.
He added: “The championship is held in an ideal atmosphere and with a large audience during the days of the first round, which gave the organizing committees an incentive to make more efforts to ensure the success of the upcoming rounds as required, especially since these committees include Qatari cadres with extensive experience in organizing international championships.”
Al-Buainain also spoke about adding more rounds for local and future riders, saying that the step aims to encourage them and give them the opportunity to compete and learn about the skills of the international riders participating in the championship, which enhances their experience and motivates them to improve their performance.
He explained that the championship is a cornerstone for achieving one of the strategic goals of Qatar Equestrian, which is to develop the performance of riders and enhance their experience, as it gives them the opportunity to compete with the best riders in the world in the sport of show jumping.
The deputy director of the championship also called on the fans to attend the competitions of the second round of the championship and enjoy the exceptional atmosphere it provides, whether in terms of the variety of options for cafes, restaurants and shops, in addition to providing a corner for artists and a fan area that includes various entertainment activities.
The Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025 comprises 3 international rounds, where the first and second rounds are allocated to the two-star and four-star categories, while the third and final round include the five-star and two-star categories. This year’s edition of the championship is organized by the Qatar Equestrian Federation, Al Shaqab, and the Qatar Olympic Committee, and is officially sponsored by Doha Bank, Al Abdulghani Motors, and Zabarjad Jewellery. It also has a partnership with Qatar Airways as the official airline partner, Visit Qatar as the official partner, Al Kass Sports Channels as broadcast partner, So Cast as the social media partner, and Sahil as the media partner.