The first round of the three-leg Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025 concluded at the Longines outdoor and indoor arenas of Al Shaqab on Saturday, Jan. 11, with six 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 €690,000.
Gerfried Puck emerges CSI4* Grand Prix champion
Austrian Gerfried Puck won the thrilling jump-off of the CSI4*-W Grand Prix 1.55m class under the lights on Saturday to be crowned as the champion on the final day of the three-day first round of Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025. Puck, who was victorious astride the chestnut stallion Equitron Naxcel V, was awarded the top prize of 41,175 euros, edging Abdel Said of Belgium with Arpege du RU and Britain’s Ellen Whitaker riding Korlenski.
The CSI4*-W 1.45m class held in the afternoon saw close and exciting contests with Abdullah Alsharbatly of Saudi Arabia beating the field with the bay stallion Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior, just ahead of second-placed Austrian Gerfried Puck with Equitron Melody Vd Smidshoeve. Portuguese rider Duarte Seabra and Van Halen Z were third.
Gaudiano wins CSI2* Grand Prix
The CSI2* Grand Prix 1.45m class had fierce competition with 13 of the 51 entries qualifying for the jump-off. But Italian Emanuele Gaudiano, who showed excellent form throughout the first round, stood out riding grey stallion Quirinus 27. Olympian Edwina Tops-Alexander of Australia settled for second place with Uppercourt Cappucino, while Swiss competitor Nadja Peter Steiner was third on Mila.
The CSI2* 1.35m class was bagged by Qatari rider Hussain Said A M Haidan on his mount D Saucedo, a dark bay gelding. Egyptian Ali Osama Mahmoud Sayed claimed second place astride Obama van de Kwachthoeve, and third spot went to Inigo Lopez De La Osa Franco of Monaco riding Golden Diamond.
Saudi rider Khaled Alhady claimed top honours in the CSI1* Grand Prix 1.25m, excelling on Doremi du Flot Z, a chestnut gelding
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, as the podiums witnessed a variety of winning riders, including riders from Qatar. 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 Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025 comprises three international rounds, where the first and second round (January 15-18) are allocated to the CSI4*, CSI2* and CSI1* categories, while the third (January 22-25) and final round, HH The Amir’s Sword International Equestrian Festival February 12-15, include CSI1*, CSI3*, and CSI5* categories.
Results here.
~ with files from Al Shaqab Media
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