Kevin Staut won the CSI5* International Jumping competition in the CHI AL SHAQAB 2015 championship at the outdoor arena of Al Shaqab yesterday. PICTURES: AL Shaqab
RIGHT: Great Britain’s Carl Hester riding Nip Tuck claimed the title in the CDI5*
International Dressage Competition.
By Chris Hoover/Doha
Two times World Equestrian Games silver medallist Kevin Staut took his first major win in Qatar while taking the CSI5* International Jumping competition in the CHI AL SHAQAB 2015 championship at the outdoor arena of Al Shaqab yesterday. The Frenchman was the last rider to test the course and he managed the best timing of 64.56 in the against the clock competition to emerge the winner and collect a prize money of Euros 21,450.
Staut won his first senior medal in 2009 when he claimed Individual European Gold. He has since collected two World Championship Team Silvers in 2010 and 2014 at the World Equestrian Games.
The 33-year-old Frenchman Staut came into the arena with a slender advantage of knowing his goal. However he still had to complete the round without a fault and also better the leader on the clock.
Staut and his bay mare Quismy des Vaux combined well to surpass Henrik von Eckermann and For Sale 6, who held the advantage until then. Henrik had to settle for second place with a timing of 65.01.
Brazilian-born Cassio Rivetti, who represents Ukraine since 2009, and nine-year old mare Chataga were fast enough to grab third place among the 39 elite riders with a time of 66:43. Belgian Pieter Devos, ranked fifth in 67:57 admirably and dramatically managed to stay mounted when EquipharmaDax van Dabdijhoeve tipped following a harsh clearance over fence 11 and subsequently earned the spectators’ warm applause.
Overall seven riders had a flawless course which worked as a perfect warm-up for today’s great Grand Prix of Al Shaqab.
“It is a good feeling to win today as I did not have a great show until now. I was lucky I could ride in last as it is easier to ride in a big class like this. I knew there were not so many clears but I knew who were fast enough. So the mission was not easy but my mare knew the course. I am happy for once everything worked the way I hoped it would,” a jubilant Staut told the Gulf Times.
“I know the mare well enough. I know she’s fast enough. Sometimes I have an idea what I have to do but sometimes we don’t. I think it was a good thing to give her rest last year. She’s into competition the last two months only.”
This is a fantastic competition and a wonderful arena. It is very well organised and it is getting tougher each year. All the riders are eager to be a part of this event in Qatar, which is a great host. They have the best facilities and it is a pleasure to be here in Doha.”
Staut is one of France’s most prominent riders. He began riding aged 10 as his mother was a competitive showjumper. In 1996, Kevin began training with Michel Hecart where he was exposed to top quality horses.
In 2000, he won a Young Rider European Championship Gold medal and moved to work for Hubert Bourdy. In 2002 he set up Ecurie Kevin Staut, using the stables that his grandfather had built at his weekend property. In 2008, he moved the business to a facility near Nantes, France, before switching his base again in 2010 to the Ecaussinnes Stables in Belgium.
Great Britain’s Carl Hester with a tally of 72.600 points claimed the title in the CDI5* International Dressage Competition. Hester riding Nip Tuck was a clear winner ahead of Sweden’s Patrick Kittel, who garnered 72.400 points, while Denmark’s Anders Dahl was third with 71.960.
London Olympic 2012 team dressage gold medallist, Hester was delighted with a winning debut in Qatar. “It is great to win on my first visit to Doha. I watched the competition last year on television and am glad that I could be a part of this wonderful competition,” Hester said.
Speaking about the competition and his horse Nip Tuck, Hester said. “He was a little bit tense. He is young and maturing to be a top class performer. Though he did what I did not want him to do, there is a lot in a horse that gets better when they get older. We are happy how he went. He was tense and when you ride horses you know that can happen.”
Hester was hoping that dressage could become as popular as showjumping. “I hope dressage becomes popular as jumping. I think there were more participants than last year. I wish this could be a slightly longer tour since you are travelling so far away for one week. I don’t think anyone of us has anything to complaint about as it was a great competition and it was a pleasure to be in Qatar, who are great hosts. I am looking forward to coming back next year.”
