Austria’s Max Kuhner claimed the feature CSI5* Jump-Off (1.55m) title on the second tour of the HH The Father Amir’s Prix at Al Shaqab yesterday, producing a blistering round aboard EIC Quantum Robin V to take home the top prize of €26,500.
Kuhner topped a competitive jump-off involving 10 riders, edging out Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann by just one-tenth of a second. Meyer-Zimmermann finished second with the 11-year-old Cellagon Cascais, while Ireland’s Neal Fearon completed the podium on the BWP mare Derrygle Obsidian. Switzerland’s Nadja Peter Steiner, winner of Thursday’s 1.50m class, finished fourth with Mila, ahead of Austria’s Gerfried Puck on Equitron Naxcel V in fifth.
Another highlight of the day was the CSI5* Six Bars 1.50m, a crowd-favourite test of scope and bravery. France’s Megane Moissonnier emerged victorious with a flawless performance aboard Chacarija PS. Italy’s Roberto Previtali finished second on Chaquano PS after four faults in the final round, while Portugal’s Duarte Seabra placed third with Fernhill Leonardo after withdrawing in the last round.
Great Britain’s Millie Allen dominated the CSI5* 1.45m (Faults and Time) class, clocking 59.58 seconds on Quick Diamant HR to secure first place. She finished ahead of Eve Jobs of the United States on Kannandillo and Denmark’s Caroline Rehoff Pedersen riding Chaccball. Allen said: “Quick Diamant HR loves this arena and she’s a real pleasure to ride. I’m very grateful to get to ride on her.”
In the CSI3* 1.45m, Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt claimed victory aboard Karaldo, stopping the clock at 58.47 seconds. Qatar’s Faris Saad al-Qahtani impressed with a second-place finish on Com du Rouet Z, while Saudi Arabia’s Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan placed third with Kwikly.
“I felt amazing today, I had a super feeling on Karaldo,” Weishaupt said. “He’s a very quick horse. I was a touch slow early on, but I made the difference in the turns and the split time towards the end, so I’m very happy to take this CSI3* 1.45m victory.”
Turkiye’s Hasan Senturk dominated the CSI3* 1.40m Immediate Jump-Off by taking both first and second places aboard Elzas and Diams Brimbelles Z respectively, while Jordan’s Bisher Kayali finished third with Wilfredo.
Egypt’s Ismail Osama El Borai topped the CSI3* 1.30m Special Two-Phase with Incredible Z, finishing ahead of Jordan’s Ibrahim Hani Bisharat on Corona Irw and Saudi Arabia’s Khalid al-Hadi riding Capoen. El Borai said, “It was a very smooth course today. The second phase felt quick before I went in, so I knew I had to ride a bit faster and it all came together. Yesterday was a strong, confidence-building start for my mare, and it gives us a good platform for what’s next.”
At CSI1* level, Egypt’s Fatima Mohanad Alkishawi won the 1.25m Faults and Time class with Quintalou, followed by compatriot Saif Faisal Arafa on Lennard B and Qatar’s Mohammed Eisa al-Bukhari with Steve Jobs.
Qatar enjoyed another productive day overall, recording two wins at CSI1* and youth level, a CSI3* runner-up finish, and several top-five placings across categories.
Ali Omar al-Ansari led a Qatari one-two in the CSI1* 1.15m aboard Nikita Eindeken Z, finishing ahead of Abdulla Ahmed al-Khulaifi on Quenta van de Corsendonksehoeve, while Saudi Arabia’s Salem Balharith placed third with Lovina.
In the CSIY-B 1.25m Special Two-Phase, Qatar’s Abdulla Khalid al-Julandani claimed victory with Nuance van het Groeshof, followed by Saudi Arabia’s Meshal al-Qahtani and Qatar’s Ibrahim Yousuf al-Mahmoud.
In the National Competition Optimum Time 0.80m, Khalifa Abdulla Al Sulaiti topped the standings aboard Guedzanotte.
The second tour of the four legs concludes today with Grand Prix Day across categories, highlighted by the CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix and the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix, alongside the CSI1* 1.30m Grand Prix, all run under jump-off format.