Caitlin Dillon
The 14th season of the prestigious Longines
Global Champions Tour (LGCT) opened at Doha’s state-of-the art Al Shaqab over
the weekend, with the top-ranked riders from around the world competing over
the course of the event’s three days.
In the Grand Prix event on the final day of the competition,
Frenchman Julien Epillard finished first alongside his 11-year-old stallion,
Usual Suspect d’Auge, having finished runner-up twice during the event.
Clocking a faultless time of 81.72 seconds, Epillard progressed
to the jump-off, alongside just four other riders: Italian Alberto Zorzi, Dutch
Frank Schuttert, Belgian Nicola Philippaerts and British Ben Maher, who ranked
top in the 2018 LGCT season.
As the jump-off ensued, Epillard was the first to compete, completing
the course in just 40.11 seconds.
Maher, the final rider to compete in the jump-off, almost
matched Epillard’s time, but went wide ahead of the final fence, finishing a
miniscule 440 milliseconds behind the Frenchman, with a time of 40.55 seconds.
At the post-tournament press conference, Epillard reflected
on his win, "I feel very happy - I have had three second placings this
weekend, and when Ben started I thought one more time I would be second!”
Adding, “My horse doesn’t look fast but he is. I was number
one to go so I tried my best and the horse was amazing. My plan was to ride a
different horse, but in the end it worked out perfectly today.”
Meanwhile in the Global Champions League, Shanghai Swans
stormed into first place as the only team to deliver a faultless score
throughout the two rounds. German Daniel Deusser and Swiss Pius Schwizer,
clocked individual times of 76.65 seconds and 78.63 seconds, respectively.
“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.” Stated Deusser,
following his team’s win.
As LGCT of Doha came to a close, His Excellency Sheikh Joaan
bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee,
congratulated the riders as he hosted the prize-giving ceremony.