Press release from the Longines Global Champions Tour 

Julien Epaillard and Usual Suspect D’Auge (Jarnac x Papillon Rouge) triumphed in the first Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of 2019 with a masterful galloping victory in Doha.

The Qatari capital played host to the opening leg of the season and it was a blistering jump off under floodlights around Uliano Vezzani’s galloping track at the spectacular AL SHAQAB venue.

The French star was first into the five-strong jump off and punched the air in delight when he realised last man in Ben Maher and Explosion W (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet Du Rouet) had narrowly failed to beat him. Epaillard became the first qualifier for the prestigious LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs later this year.

Thrilled by his victory Epaillard said: “It is crazy for me today. I had planned to ride a different horse. But I changed my plan I was so surprised to be clear in the first round. And I was first in the jump off. I was not thinking to win the GP but it was fantastic.”

Spectacular aerial images showed the full scale of the dramatic show jumping stage in Doha looking across to the stunning City skyline as the world’s best riders and horses powered up for the LGCT Grand Prix with their eyes fixed firmly on the championship race.

The first round saw multiple top combinations struggling to master the challenges of the substantial track across of 500m track with 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts. It was top sporting entertainment for the Qatari and international spectators in the grandstands and the bustling cafes alongside the arena.

With 35 combinations fired up for action it was soon clear one of the trickiest lines in the course was the oxer to the double combination and the stars of the sport fell victim one after the other. 

But Epaillard lit up the arena with a fantastic fluid clear and was quickly followed by Alberto Zorzi and Contanga (Catoki x Contango) setting up a tantalising jump off.

Frank Schuttert and the limitless scope of Chianti’s Champion (Champion du Lys x Cornet Obolensky) produced a super clear pitching the young Dutchman into the jump off. Nicola Philippaerts and the powerful H&M Chilli Willi (Casall x Lord) made easy work of the course and cruised into the jump off line up.

Great Britain’s Ben Maher completed the line up with a truly masterful clear round on the incredible Explosion W, now a 10-year-old, provoking looks of admiration from other riders watching from the warm up arena.

The mouth-watering jump off line up did not disappoint.

Epaillard and Usual Suspect D’Auge set the pace and took a tight angle to the GC gate and sailed over the Longines final fence to cross the finish line in 40.11.

Alberto Zorzi and Contanga had an unexpected mistake at the vertical and ended up in fourth place. Frank Schuttert and Chianti’s Champion had four faults at the GC Gate after coming in too tight.

With two champion riders left to go the tension mounted as Nicola Philippaerts and H&M Chilli Willi were quick off the mark and executed a polished clear round but too slow in 43.43.

As Ben Maher and Explosion W came into the arena there was high expectation that the stunning combination, dominant for most of the 2018 season, would triumph.

It was hearts in mouths as Explosion W efficiently covered the ground and the fences ensuring perfect strides all the way. But as he cleared the final fence the clocked stopped at 40.55 and Ben’s grimace said it all as he finished in second place.

Over in the warm up Epaillard cheered with joy as his win was confirmed. In the prize-giving ceremony His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani congratulated the winner and second and third place riders as crowds took countless photos as the LGCT of Doha came to a close.

Jan Tops, Co-Founder GCL: “It is a real art to get this result, our course builder [Uliano Vezzani] knows the facility and the riders. It was the right number today, Julien was knocking on the door all week - he always gives his maximum, and I’m very pleased he will have the first ticket for the LGCT Super Grand Prix. Ben was so close - last year he won four LGCT Grand Prix so I think he will be there as well."

Omar Al Mannai, Commercial Manager of AL SHAQAB: “We have been thinking on how we can latch onto the high standard and performance of this event for the youth - we have an international camp which is with the event. It is a training camp, a cultural exchange between 14 countries and 21 riders; they started already and continue until the next event, in-between there will be clinics, and with some of the big names so they can give their experience to the younger generation. Uliano Vezzani the course builder was very smart today and he could satisfy the riders and the crowd. Congratulations to all."

Nicola Philippaerts, 3rd place: "I think my horse jumped great - he feels good. Ben and Julien are quick, so I thought it was better to stay clear and be on the podium. The season is long but the horse is in good shape so hopefully I can keep producing results."

Ben Maher, 2nd place: "I am very happy - Explosion has been incredible all weekend, he hasn’t jumped since Prague. I just misjudged it today and we just were not good enough to beat Julien, but that’s sports and I am just excited for the season. I didn’t take too much of a risk, I would have taken second and I’m happy to be on the podium."

Julien Epaillard, LGCT Grand Prix winner: "I feel very happy - I have had three second placings this weekend, and when Ben started I thought one more time I would be second! My horse doesn’t look fast but he is.I was number one to go so I tried my best and the horse was amazing. My plan was to ride a different horse, but in the end it worked out perfectly today."