Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour

In a prelude to Saturday’s Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha (QAT), Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) and Vestmalle des Cotis (Baloubet du Rouet x Landor S) delivered a masterclass in speed and precision to claim victory under the dazzling lights of the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, topping Friday's CSI5* 1.50m jump-off class. 

In a jump-off of seven, Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar came agonizingly close, finishing just 0.99 seconds behind Dreher with his exceptional partner Legend (Ogano Sitte x Nabab de Reve), securing the runner-up spot. Meanwhile, German maestro Marcus Ehning and his striking grey DPS Revere (Hermes de Reve x Dobel's Cento) produced a textbook round to complete the podium in third place.

A thrilled Dreher reflected on his win: "I’m really happy today. My horse jumped amazingly – I know he is really, really fast. It was a quick jump-off, and normally he doesn’t favour left turns, but today he did!"