High-octane jumping and history-making Qatari dressage rider light up day 2 of Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented By Longines

A world-class lineup of riders and horses continued to entertain and enthral the crowds on day two of the Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines 2022, the premier international equestrian being held at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab.

Organized by Al Shaqab for the ninth year, the 2022 edition sees 98 riders from 24  countries testing their limits in the Olympic disciplines of showjumping, dressage, and para-dressage.

CSI 5* 1.60m with Jump-off

In a high-octane climax to an exhilarating day of spectacular equestrian sport. Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, astride Like a Diamond van het Schaeck, demonstrated both power and speed in the CSI 5* 1.60m with Jump-off, as the dynamic duo tackled the fences in 41.43 seconds to take first place. Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs, ranked number 2 in the world, finished just behind Zanotelli, riding Conner Jei to a time of 41.92 seconds, while Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson, on H&M Indiana, took third in 42.98 seconds.

CSI5* 1.45m class.

The earlier jumping category was no less dramatic, as it saw German showjumper Hans Dieter Dreher enjoy an emotional victory the CSI5* 1.45m class. In December, Dreher was forced to put his riding boots aside due to surgery on his cervical vertebra, but showed his mettle in jumping to victory astride Vestmalle Des Cotis in a time of 60.62 secs. Jur Vrieling,of the Netherlands, riding Fernando-H, finished second in 61.06 secs, while fellow Dutchman Bart Bles, astride Gin D, came third in a time of 61.98 secs.

Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix

The Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix Test saw Sweden’s Patrik Kittel continue his run of victories at Al Shaqab, with second place going to Dinja van Liere, of the Netherlands, on Hermes, and Hans Peter Minderhoud, also of the Netherlands, finishing third astride Glock’s Dream Boy N.O.P.

Kittel, a regular visitor to CHI Al SHAQAB, was full of praise for the event, which is the only one of its kind in the Middle East and Asia region, while also he also paid tribute to Touchdown.

Kittel said:

My horse is very young. This is his fourth international show and one of the biggest he’s done. He gives me a lot of confidence in the ring. He’s very electric but at the same time very calm, and really trusts me. I’ve won with a few different horses here over the years and I’m a big fan of Al Shaqab. I love coming back. Everyone here is so friendly to the riders. The hotels are good, the stables are good, the arenas are good. Everything is geared to making a fantastic show, and that why you as a rider also want to come back.”

In the same category, Wejdan Mejad Al Malki made history when she became the first Qatari dressage rider to compete in a five-star Grand Prix competition. Riding Mango Jacaro, her entrance and efforts delighted proud local fans at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab. She competes again in the CDI5* Grand Prix Special on the third and final day of the event and will be looking to impress.

Para-Dressage CPEDI 3* Individual Championship

The day competitions had started with the Para-Dressage CPEDI 3* Individual Championship Test, which saw top honors go to Jens Lasse Dokkan of Norway (Grade I), Loes Cevaal of the Netherlands (Grade II), Lotte Krijnsen of the Netherlands (Grade III), Rodolpho Riskalla, Brazil,  (Grade IV) and Kevin van Ham, Belgium (Grade V).

The third and final day promises to be a fantastic conclusion to what has been a magnificent celebration of the very best equestrian sport, with fans looking forward to action and drama in the showpiece jumping five-star Grand Prix that will close out the event.

Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB Presented by Longines 2022 is being streamed live on www.chialshaqab.com.

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