Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour

The Longines Global Champions Tour of Doha commenced at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab on Thursday, with 32 horse-and-rider combinations entered in the CSI5* 1.45m speed class. 

A head-to-head for first and second from two of Saudi Arabia’s top showjumping riders, it was Abdulrahman Alrajhi aboard Ventago (Van Helsing x Hunter's Scendix) who stormed to the lead – edging out his Saudi teammate Abdullah Alsharbatly and Dancing Wolf O.L (Mylord Carthago x Contender) by a mere 0.20 seconds.

Speaking to GCTV Alrajhi explained: “It is always special to win a [Longines] Global [Champions Tour] class and even more special in Doha, especially in front of this crowd. Such an amazing facility in Al Shaqab. Honestly, I must say Ventago is on fire, he is such a great horse and I am very happy to have him and I think he made it with almost zero effort… it felt like he was just playing with the class and he won it!”

A beaming Alrajhi went on to add: “The class suited him, and of course, we had one of the best course designers in the world, Uliano Vezzani. It is a nice class to win without putting in an extreme effort, and I am thrilled with this preparation for the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha this Saturday.” 

Olivier Perreau (FRA) clinched the third spot with Bresil de Carnaval Santa Rosa (Mylord Carthago x Rosire), followed by Mouda Zeyada (EGY) on Katia (Emerald x Lancelot) and Ines Joly (FRA) aboard Faylinn de Fondcombe (Lando x Diamant de Semilly) who rounded off the top five.