Germany’s Daniel Deusser (left) with Qatar Equestrian Federation president Hamad Abdulrahman al-Attiyah (centre) and Qatar Foundation executive director Fahad al-Qahtani. PICTURES: Al Shaqab
By Chris Hoover/Doha
Two times World Equestrian Games champion Joanne Eccles came up with a brilliant performance in freestyle to clinch the title in the Individual Female competition of the International Vaulting championship during the CHI Al Shaqab 2015 at the state of the art Al Shaqab indoor arena yesterday.
Joanne, aboard WH Bentley and lunged by father John Eccles, produced yet another stunning routine, showcasing some of her signature moves, including her one-handed cartwheel and handstand. With a score of 8.661 awarded for her freestyle, and an overall score of 8.045, Joanne clinched the gold medal on her maiden appearance in Qatar.
“It’s been an incredible win and the one I wanted to achieve,” Joanne said “It was unfortunate that I could not come to Doha last year. I watched the proceedings on live stream back home. We missed being here and when we got the opportunity, we grabbed it as we were very keen to be a part of this championship. We wanted to experience the feeling in this amazing arena, which is just out of this world. To top it with a win in this prestigious event is simply amazing. So coming here I was not really under any pressure and I am glad that it all came together,” Joanne told the Gulf Times.
“The whole competition was very strong here. Having won two medals at the World Equestrian Games, I came into the competition to enjoy the vaulting. It has been a great start for me here and I hope to be back next year.”
Italy’s Anna Cavallaro, who started the championship on a high note, failed to maintain the lead and eventually finished second. The Italian performed a beautiful final freestyle to gain a mark of 8.644, giving her a final total of 7.954. “I am really happy with my result. Joanne was brilliant and to come here and finish second has been good. I hope to come back and look for better results next year.”
Third place went to last year winner, Switzerland’s Simone Jaiser who performed consistently all week and was awarded a score of 8.243 in her final freestyle and a total of 7.620.
Twice European junior champion Thomas Brusewitz continued his domination as he won the freestyle with a score of 8.629, which gave the German a final tally of 7.967 and the men’s title in the individual male competition in the international vaulting championship. Erik Oese took the silver medal with an overall score of 7.661. Oese collected 7.960 for the freestyle which gave him the runner-up finish.
“I’m quite excited with my win. The final routine was much better than yesterday and much better than last year’s. It is very important for me that I topped in all the three tests,” Brusewitz said.
“It has been a great start for me for the season. I’m looking forward to the events that are lined up. I hope to come back and win it next year as well,” added Brusewitz.
Longines FEI World Cup winner Simon Delestre opened the jump off with a super fast clear round with nine year old bay mare Stardust Quinhon and claimed the top honours in the Five Star International Jumping competition.
“I don’t think I could have gone any better with Stardust Quinhon,” Delestre said. “She is nine years old. She has done well in a few 5-star Grand Prix,” he added. “Today it was not crazy fast but fast enough.”
“I did not take any crazy risks. She won the task really well. It was a nice round. I didn’t do anything crazy in the jump-off so it was a great run,” Delestre added.
“It has been a superb start. It’s possible to go faster but it was good to win with confidence. It’s a fantastic arena and I take pleasure to ride here,” he said.
Delestre was full of praise for Qatari equestrian squad that qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. “I would like to congratulate the Qatar team for having qualified for the Olympics,” Delestre said. “They had a super score to qualify. They have very good riders and do well at the Grand Prix’s. Bassam and Ali are really good. They have been consistently coming up with great performances. It augurs well for the future and I wish them all the very best.”
Qatar’s Abdulrahman Mohammed al-Marri and Salman Mohammed al-Emadi gave a one-two finish for the hosts in the Three Star jumping against the clock 1.45 metres competition. Abdulrahman riding Sidoline Van De Centaur clocked a timing of 60.22 to take the first place, while Salman astride SIEC Cosmos Wunggaardhoeve Z finished second with a timing of 62.51. Kuwait’s Ali al-Khorafi (Ventje) was third while completing the round in 66.32.
Earlier Khorafi was victorious in the Class SI jumping CSI Three Star table 1.30 metres, while Qatar’s Rashid Towaim al-Marri astride Kannada was second.
Germany’s Daniel Deusser bagged the other Five Star competition which was against the clock Table A, 1.50 metres. Riding chestnut mare Espyrante, the German clocked 56.67 and a clear round to emerge victorious and collected the first prize money of Euros 23,000.
A delighted Deusser said after the victory. “I knew it was a fast competition. If I had done a few more strides, I would have been faster. She has a small stride but a very good rhythm and a very active stride. A lot of the horses did it in eight strides but my mare was thinking forward and knew what to do.”
“It is always a good feeling to start off on a winning note as it is the right preparation for the events ahead. I was here in November where I won in the big class and now again today. I am really looking forward to the events ahead,” Deusser concluded.
BELOW:
1) Two times World Equestrian Games champion Joanne Eccles won the Individual Female freestyle competition of the International Vaulting championship yesterday.
2) Longines FEI World Cup winner Simon Delestre claimed the top honours in the Five Star International Jumping competition. RIGHT: Abdulrahman Mohamed MA al-Marri of Qatar in action during the Three Star jumping against the clock 1.45 metres competition at Al Shaqab Arena yesterday. Al-Marri won ahead of compatriot Salman Mohamed AS al-Emadi.
