Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet shrugged off the disappointment of finishing second on the first two nights at the CHI Al Shaqab, by winning the main Class event last night.
The victory in the CSI5* Table A (238.2.2) 1.55m event didn’t come on a platter though for Wathelet, as he had to fight it out till the last hurdle.
The feature Class of last night’s competition at the Al Shaqab arena went into Jump off, after nine riders made no faults. However, Wathelet and his ride, 12-year-old Stallion, Citizenguard Taalex, kept their composure to win in style.
Wathelet and Citizenguard Taalex cleared the obstacles without much fuss to finish in 45.75 seconds and take home 50820 euros in prize money.
“I knew he (Citizenguard Taalex) is fast so I was only concentrating on doing well,” Wathelet said. “I know he can go faster. He did really well on 1, 2, 3, 4 and then a short sprint towards the next obstacles. I am going to ride the same horse (on Saturday),” the Belgian added.
Wathelet was last but one to go, and was under pressure after Omer Karaevli of Turkey had posted an impressive time. But Wathelet kept his focus. “I didn’t see Omar. I saw Kevin (Staut) and I knew I had to do a fast time. The horses are so fast. Then I rode really well. I was more concerned what I can do, what my horse can do. I had the chance to win today and I am happy,” Wathelet said.
Karaevli, astride his 11-year-old Gelding Dadjak Ter Puttenen, had to be content with second place but was satisfied with the result, as it more or less ensured his spot at this year’s Rio Olympics.
“I am not too disappointed to finish second,” said Karaevli. “My target was to get good points for Olympic qualification and to increase my lead over the others. I think I have qualified. I was leading my group in the last 15 months but the gap had got a bit closer. For a week I was lagging behind. But I did two good rounds. In the Al Rayyan, I came second and in the Grand Prix I was sixth, which put me again in the lead. With tonight’s result, it gives me a very good lead. Still let’s wait till tomorrow, as it deadline day but I think I had done enough to qualify,” he added.
Kevin Staut, France, the winner on the opening night was third on the night. He and his 12-yaear-old Mare, Elky van het Indihof Hdc posted a time of 47.68 seconds to pocket 23100 Euros.
Today is the last day of the fourth edition of Chi Al Shaqab, with the marquee and the big money event CSI5* Grand Prix Two Rounds with Jump Off 1.60m on show at 5: 30 pm
Earlier, In the Doha Tour first leg also being held at Al Shaqab arena, Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Abdulaziz al-Eid was a runaway winner with his ride Valuta S in the CSI3* Accumulator (269) 1.30m competition.
The pair put on a great show and came three seconds clear off Qatar’s Nasser Al Ghazali (Dynamic Diablo), who timed 53.65 seconds. The third spot also went to Qatar, Saeed Nasser S A al-Qadi teaming up with  Desperadito to finish in the 55.77 seconds.