Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet went to the top in Friday’s 1.55 competition in Doha. Even on an emotional challenging day – Wathelet announced the sale of his top horse Conrad de Hus today – the Belgian rider found the focus to win the 154.000 Euro competition aboard the 12-year-old stallion Citizenguard Taalex (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Alexis Z). 

Nine of the 36 riders made it to the jump-off, where Kevin Staut was the first rider to go. The French rider and Elky van het Indihof HDC (Toulon x Thunder van de Zuuthoeve) once again put the pressure on with a fast time of 47.68, which looked hard to beat. Then it was Turkish rider Omer Karaevli’s turn who delivered an even faster clear round in 46.68 aboard Dadjak Ter Puttenen (Toulon x Vanitas). 

But the Turk’s celebrations proved premature, as an exemplary display of horsemanship combined with a fearless performance secured Gregory Wathelet the top prize. The Belgian rider shaved off almost a second to bring the time down to 45.75 with Citizenguard Taalex, pushing Karaevli down to second and Staut down to third. 

Germany's Daniel Deusser finished fourth on First Class van Eeckelghem (Balou Du Rouet x Feinschnitt I Vd Richter) and Roger Yves Bost fifth on Qoud'Coeur de la Loge (Ideal de la Loge x Tenor de la Cour*).

Source: Press release from CHI Al Shaqab // // Picture © CHI Al Shaqab