The Longines Arena at Al Shaqab hosted the CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines, Feb. 18-21, with competition running across the indoor and outdoor arenas from morning through late evening. The final day blended championship-level precision in dressage and para-dressage with top-level international showjumping in the Longines outdoor arena.
Showjumping
As the lights came up over the Longines Outdoor Arena, showjumping took centre stage, and Day 4 delivered exactly the kind of late-night drama CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines is known for.
Salmeen Al Suwaidi, Sport Director of the Doha Equestrian Tour, said, “It was a clean sport today. I want to congratulate Marlon, Pieter and Roger, it was a great jump-off. It was really good to watch them win. And it’s always great for the younger generation to see riders they can be inspired by.”
Saturday’s finale at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab peaked in prime-time fashion, delivering the kind of high-pressure excitement that defines the sport at its very best. Under the lights, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Charly Heart produced the decisive performance of the day to claim the €575,000 Grand Prix title and close the showjumping program on a truly high note. Pieter Devos (BEL) and Casual DV Z pushed hard to secure second place, while Roger Chammas (LBN) and Glondon Di San Giovanni completed the podium in third place.
Carl Hester (GBR) and Fame, winners of CDI5 Grand Prix Freestyle. (DET-Lukasz Kowalski)
Marlon Modolo Zanotelli said, “I couldn’t be happier to win this week. My mare is naturally a quick horse, and that helped a lot. We brought her here with the goal of building up to this grand prix, and throughout the Tour she was consistently in the top five in the big classes she jumped. She learned a lot here and gained confidence. The arena and the facilities really helped with that.”
Pieter Devos remarked of his second-place finish, “I’m very happy with my horse again. Last week she jumped three clear rounds in the Grand Prix, and today she was double-clear once more. I’m really pleased with how well my mare jumped, it’s the beginning of the season, and she has learned so much here. This venue gives you so much support for good horses to develop week by week. She jumped even better than last week. The fences and the arena here push horses to progress step by step.”
In the CSI3* Grand Prix 1.50m Jump-Off, Nadja Peter Steiner (SUI) and Quarantinette Vt Hazelaarenhoekje delivered a standout win – a result that underlined both the mare’s rapid progression and the pair’s growing confidence at 1.50m level. “I have no words for this mare,” said the winner. “She came here having never jumped 1.50m in her life, and today she jumped her fourth 1.50m class ever, and her second jump-off ever. She listened to me all the way around, and it felt like she was playing a game.”
Earlier in the program, Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Lioness topped the CSI3* 1.35m Faults & Time, continuing their consistent form across the week.
Dressage
Dressage closed in style in the Longines Indoor Arena with the CDI5* CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix Freestyle, where Carl Hester (GBR) and Fame produced the winning test, scoring 82.975 % to take top honours on the final day. “I haven’t been back in Doha for 11 years,” said Hester. “To come back after all this time and win is a lovely experience for me. I’ve been doing this sport for 36 years now, and I still enjoy it! Every show becomes a treasured memory. My horse was really good and relaxed today.”
Kate Shoemaker (USA) and Jagger. (DET-Lukasz Kowalski)
Para-Dressage
Para-dressage competition concluded its freestyle program across CPEDI3* grades, led by a set of standout winners. Francesca Salvade (ITA) and Escari won the CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix Freestyle Grade III, while Fiona Howard (USA) and Ferguson topped the CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix Freestyle Grade II. The Grade IV honors went to Kate Shoemaker (USA) with Jagger, and Lena Malmström (SWE) closed the day with victory in the CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix Freestyle Grade V aboard Fabulous Fidelie.
Grade V winner Malmström commented, “The last week at Al Shaqab has not only been very successful for us, but also fantastic preparation for future championships and competitions. We thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality, the great venue, and the friendly people. My horse, Fabulous Fidelie, has been a pleasure to ride, and we go home with a smile on our faces.”
Howard remarked, “This is my favorite show to come to every year. And it was a different experience to bring a less experienced horse. But it’s always an incredible show, an incredible venue, I’ve just enjoyed every day and continued to build relationships with my horse.”
Complete results here.
~ with files from Doha Tour Media
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