The Peninsula
German riding star Ludger Beerbaum yesterday grabbed the honours to clinch the feature event on day two of the CHI Al Shaqab with trusted aide Chiara. The in-form mare clocked a time 43.74 seconds in the 1.60m class as Beerbaum won €48,345.
Beerbaum said: “My horse, Chiara 222, has been doing this for 16 years and has a lot of experience here at Al Shaqab itself. She loves it here and I think that counted in my favour. I’m very happy with the result. I’d like to enjoy this moment, but I’m also looking forward to the Grand Prix.”
Dutch rider Jur Vrieling - a member of Doha Falcons on the Global Champions League - guided VDL Glasgow vh Merelsnest N.O.P to the second spot in the jump-off. VDL Glasgow vh Merelsnest N.O.P clocked a time of 44.72 seconds as Vrieling won €29,300.
Germany’s Daniel Deusser reached the podium after Calisto Blue (45.83 seconds €21,975) finished in third spot.
French rider Simon Delestre (Filou Carlo Zimequest, 45.34 seconds €14,650) and Belgium’s Pieter Devos (Claire Z, 45.50 seconds €8,790) completed the top five.
Earlier, Swiss rider Steve Guerdat yesterday produced a neat routine with Hannah to win the 1.50m class. The 36-year-old Swiss Olympic Games hero completed his task in the 1.50m class with ease as Hannah clocked a winning time of 67.26 seconds in a field of 12 riders. A double Olympic Games medallist, Guerdat won €12,625.
Guerdat said yesterday: “It was nice to win. It was a nice class. I was quite lucky that a lot of riders were faster than me but had one down. So, I did not have to take too many risks.” He added: “I managed to save a little bit of my horse’s energy for the Grand Prix and still win a class. It was good for me. I’ve been to Al Shaqab many times before. The facilities are great. It’s very good for the horses, and the ground is good. The organization is perfect.”
Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann finished second astride Bueno de Hus Z. Von Eckermann won €10.100 as Bueno de Hus Z clocked 67.63 seconds. Norway’s Geir Gulliksen also made it to the podium after guiding VDL Groep Quatro to the third fastest time. VDL Groep Quatro clocked 70.82 seconds as Gulliksen won €7,575.
Czech rider Anna Kellnerová (Balguero, 72.22 seconds, €5,050) and Dutch star Vrieling (Davall, 72.69 seconds, €3,535) completed the top five in the strong field of 12 riders running against the clock. Great Britian’s Emily Moffitt (Copain du Perchet CH, 74.04 seconds 2.777) finished in sixth spot while compatriot Ben Maher (Explosion W, 76.65 seconds, 2.020) was a notch behind.
Bart Bles (NED, Expert, 77.56 seconds) Scott Brash (GBR, Hello Jefferson, 78.07 seconds and Beerbaum (GER, Cool Feeling, 78.90 seconds) completed the top 10. Qatar’s Salmen Sultan (Cantaro 32, 81.10 seconds) Bassem Hassan Mohammed (Argelith Squid, 4 faults, 63.95 seconds) finished in 11th and 12th spots respectively.