Going Dutch in Doha

Day Three of the Global Champions Tour in Doha, Qatar opened with a unique victory for a rider for whom 2009 will be a year to be remembered. Already notable for being the only rider currently ranked in the Rolex Top 100 in two disciplines (show jumping and eventing), Italy’s Juan Carlos Garcia added a win in the Global Champions Tour in the speed class. The very last to go he beat long time leader Rodrigo Pessoa (Cazino) by a tenth of a second to win the Euro 16,000 first prize on his mare Paulin. Bernado Alves took third on Kingly du Reverdy. Garcia won team medals in both show jumping and eventing at this year’s European Championship’s, silver for show jumping and bronze for eventing

The second class of the day, the Open Championship of Qatar, is worth 64,000 Euro to the winner with prize money being extended as far as 15th place. Winning here would be a great consolation for any who would not have a chance in Saturday night’s showpiece event. Qatar got off to a marvellous start for their generosity in hosting the event when Sheik Ali Al Thani jumped an excellent four fault round which qualified him for next year’s World Championships. His compatriot, Ali Al Rumaihi, also did well with just two rails down so that both riders finished in the top half of the order. “We could not have done this without the Global Champions Tour,” commented Sheik Ali Al Thani afterwards.

Conrad Homfeld’s course was very technical and included an open water jump but it was the double immediately preceding it that caused the most trouble. Out of the first 14 riders only Roger Yves Bost (Ideal de la Loge) was clear. After that another five riders joined him to make an exciting jump off for the crowds in the packed stands to enjoy. Marcus Ehning (Plot Blue), Ludger Beerbaum (Coup de Coeur), Jessica Kurten (Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois), Daniel Etter (Peu a Peu)and Harrie Smolders (Equis Walnut de Muze) have all won more than their fair share of big prizes in recent months and all are experts against the clock.

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Cannes winner Roger Yves Bost set a good standard in the timed round with a clear in 39.39 which forced both Jessica Kurten and Marcus Ehning into making mistakes although both were faster. But Daniel Etter, encouraged by much whistling from the audience, shaved almost a second off the time to show it could be done. 38.56 was the new standard and Ludger Beerbaum, although up on the clock at the time, lost out by taking one more pull into the last oxer, 39.10 was still pretty smart. That left Harrie Smolders, who recently became a father to a little boy. Winner of three speed classes on the 2009 GCT already on his other horse, ten year old mare Equis Walnut de Muze is no slouch either but the gallop into the last looked almost suicidal. The crowd pleasing move paid off, however, as the clock stopped on 38.39 and the prize was on its way to Holland. “Obviously I was disappointed not to make the Final but this is making up a little. As for the show, I have never been here before but I was already enjoying it, even though my week had not been so good. Now of course I really love it! As for the jump off well I knew the time could be beaten so I had to go for it, although I did come maybe a little fast to the last,” he said.

Tomorrow the eyes of the show jumping world will be on Doha as 18 of the best riders compete for the sports biggest purse. The Global Champions Tour Final begins at 20.00 hours local time and will be shown live on Eurosport. Details and full results maybe found on our website www.globalchampionstour.com

Quotes

Juan Carlos Garcia-It is difficult to say what has been the most challenging thing for me this year after two successful European Championships (eventing and show jumping) but the GCT Final is the best in the world and I am very excited to be here. The organisation is super and this is the show of the year I think.

Sheik Ali Al Thani- I have only just qualified so I will have to discuss the training plan but God willing, I will be able to go. I have two good horses but first I will concentrate on jumping in the Arab league of the Rolex World Cup and then I will return to be based in Belgium for the spring. Having the Global Champions Tour here has really helped us achieve this aim and improve our sport.

Daniel Etter- I have only had this horse since 2006 but I owe him everything. He has got me to where I am today. And it is especially nice because my sponsor and owner Ester Steiner is here to see him. Usually she is working as her family company Thermoplan makes the coffee machines for Starbucks so that takes up a lot of time.

Ester Steiner- I have a very good horse and a very good rider and I have enjoyed coming here very much. It was worth taking time off work!”

Results

Class 5

1.    Juan Carlos Garcia, Paulin, 0, 65.55, Euro 16,000

2.    Rodrigo Pessoa, Cazino, 0, 65.61, Euro 8,000

3.    Bernardo Alves, Kingly du Reverdy, 0, 67.15 Euro 6,000

Class 6 – The Open Championship of Qatar

1.    Harrie Smolders, Equis Walnut de Muze, 0,0, 38.39, Euro 64,000

2.    Daniel Etter, Peu a Peu, 0,0, 38.56, Euro 32,000

3.    Ludger Beerbaum, Coupe de Coeur 0,0, 39.10, Euro 24,000