Text © World of Showjumping

Germany’s Christopher Kläsener and the 11-year-old gelding Popeye vd Bisschop (Lector vd Bisschop x Nabab de Reve) took Friday’s biggest win at Al Shaqab in Doha, Qatar, where the third week of H.H. The Father Amir's Prix 2026 – a part of the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026 – is in full swing.

Crossing the finish line in 35.92 in a jump-off of thirteen horse-and-rider combinations, the German duo bested a fied of 32 participants in Friday’s CSI5* 1.55m class, a competition counting for the Longines Rankings Group B. “Popeye is unbelievable. I don’t have any words for him," Kläsener said in a press release from the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026. "Every time he goes to the arena, he shows his quality. Now we’ve figured out the speed, and there’s a lot more to come.”

The current world number two, Great Britain’s Scott Brash and Hello Chadora Lady (Chacco-Blue x Nintender) took the runner-up spot with a time of 36.53, while Nadja Peter Steiner (SUI) with Clearround Il Mondo (Comme Il Faut x Clearway) completed the podium in third in 38.46.

Millie Allen (GBR) on Quickly D vh Ijzerenlindehof (Quint vh Maarlo Z x Nevado van de Rostal) finished fourth when the clock stopped on 39.12, followed by Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) aboard Charly Heart (Cornet Obolensky x Heart-Ache BS) in fifth with a time of 39.94.

The second CSI5* class of the day, a 1.45m counting for the Longines Rankings Group D, went to Millie Allen (GBR) and Quick Diamant HR (Diamant de Semilly x Quidam de Revel). With a time of 60.92, Allen bested a field of 28 participants, taking the win ahead of Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) and Vasco 118 (Vivant x Chacco-Blue) in second in 61.55 and Duarte Seabra (POR) aboard Fernhill Leonardo (I’M Special de Muze x Voltaire) in fifth in 62.90.

“My mare, she loves this arena, she keeps winning. She really wants to do well," Allen said in a press release from the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026. "Today I did the plan I had; it was quite smooth. Quick Diamant is such a super horse, I’m so pleased I have the right to ride her. And it’s impressive to beat Emanuele Gaudiano. He is so fast!”