Cyrine Cherif celebrates astride Triple T Calamando Blue.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar-based French rider Cyrine Cherif claimed victory in the prestigious CSI5* Grand Prix Two Rounds with Jump Off 1.60m event, clinching the Al Shaqab Cup yesterday.
Riding the 10-year-old bay gelding Triple T Calamando Blue at Longines Outdoor Arena, Cherif delivered a flawless performance, finishing the jump-off in 42.51 seconds to surpass Qatar’s Faleh Suwead Al Ajami.
Only two riders advanced to the decisive jump-off stage after the initial two rounds, and Cherif’s win earned her €81,250 in prize money.
Qatar Olympic Committee Second Vice President and a member of the Al Shaqab Board of Directors Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari crowned the podium winners of the CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix event.
Al Ajami was swift in the jump-off, recording 40.99 seconds, but incurred four penalties on the course, which relegated him to second place with a €65,000 reward.
America’s Kristen Vanderveen, aboard Bull Run’s Jireh, secured third place after completing the second round in 53.82 seconds, having picked up one penalty in the first round. Vanderveen added €48,750 to her earnings.
“It’s a dream come true. I am still soaking in and I can’t believe that I have won,” Cherif said in a post-event press conference.
“I had the same horse from start to end through the week and I am delighted with the victory.”
Assistant Tournament Director Sheikh Talal bin Khaled Al Thani thanked the riders, organisers and the media for making the event a success.
“We had over 150 riders from 22 countries participating. The event was held with spectator attendance as per the national guidelines,” he said.
Earlier, Jordan’s Nasouh Kayali claimed victory in the CSI3* Grand Prix with Jump Off 1.50m aboard Figueras de Laume, completing a double clear round in 55.73 seconds. Austria’s Gerfried Puck finished second on Idiaal Special H.J. with four faults in 49.99 seconds, while South Africa’s Matthew Morrison took third riding Quebec with one fault in 85.51 seconds in the first round.
Earlier at Longines Outdoor Arena, Vanderveen topped the CSI5* Faults & Time 1.50m aboard Starbucks 27, delivering a clear round in 66.99 seconds.
Qatar’s Bassem Mohammed finished second on Wathnan Charly Brown in 74.46 seconds, while Egypt’s Zain Shady Samir claimed third riding Le Boss in 75.52 seconds.
Assistant Tournament Director Sheikh Talal bin Khaled Al Thani with the podium winners of the CSI3* Grand Prix with Jump Off 1.50m event.
In the CSI1* Grand Prix 1.35m at Longines Indoor Arena, Qatar’s Khalid Jassim Al Suwaidi emerged victorious riding E.T’s Queeny Z with a double clear in 35.01 seconds. Hussain Said Haidan followed closely in second on D Saucedo in 35.26 seconds, while Mohammed Jassim Al Thani completed all-Qatari podium aboard Hazel de Luxe in 36.21 seconds.
Qatar’s Mohammed Yousef Al Jaber claimed victory in the CSIY-B CSIY 1.30m Jump Off aboard Christa 27, delivering a double clear round in 34.98 seconds. Bahrain’s Sultan Abdulaziz Mayoof Alromaihi on Johelys de Fondcombe finished second in 39.15 seconds with four faults, while Qatar’s Haya Khalid Al Hitmi secured third riding Tom Ford in 40.03 seconds with eight faults.
In the CSI3* Accumulator 1.40m, Kuwait’s Hussain Alkharafi topped the standings on Gk C’Est Un Reve with 65 points in 50.97 seconds. Qatar’s Saad Ahmed Al Saad aboard Gary de Cerisy took second in 53.14 seconds, while his compatriot Mohammed Khalifa Al Baker placed third on Emiro Delle Sementarecce in 55.05 seconds, both also on 65 points.
Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi led a Qatari victory in the CSI3* Faults & Time 1.30m, guiding Mukaynis to a clear round in 64.54 seconds. Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Abdulaziz Al Eid on Amazing vh Keizershof Z finished second in 66.64 seconds, while Germany’s Frederike Staack took third aboard Wathnan Popeye in 67.89 seconds.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Jassim Al Suwaidi won the CSI1* Accumulator 1.20m on Power Girl Jmg with 65 points in 44.43 seconds. Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Al Hadi on DSP Cessy placed second in 47.21 seconds, while Sultan Salem Al Naemi finished third aboard Cethys de Vernay in 47.46 seconds. Riders will now prepare for the Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup – part of Doha Equestrian Tour - to be held from April 2 to 4.
