By Sports Reporter/Doha

Germany’s Hans Dieter Dreher and Callisto claimed victory in the opening Five Star class of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Doha event at the spectacular Al Shaqab arena yesterday. Qatari riders were also prominent taking the second and third places. Ali Yousef al-Rumaihi (QAT) with Gunder was second while his compatriot Khalid Mohammed al- Emadi with Utascha SFN was third.
Uliano Vezzani’s welcoming course offered a few opportunities for a daring turn-back and that’s how the top three really made their mark. Italy’s Luca Maria Moneta and the reliable Jimy held on to the lead with a time of 31.22s from third to go in the draw until Al Emadi shaved over a second off the Italian’s time to finish in 30.11s.
Jane Richard Philips with Pablo de Virton, Gerco Schroder with Amarillo and Simon Delestre with Stardust Quinhon came close, but no one could catch the 2014 Asian Games Gold-medal winning Qatari team member.
The experienced Hans Dieter Dreher benefitted from his late draw and knew exactly what he had to do, riding a neat round and stopping the clock at 28.88s. Ali Yousef al-Rumaihi, who won a CSI5* class in Valkenswaard earlier in the season, came tantalisingly close with Gunder but had to settle for second this time in 29.10s.
Qatar’s Ali al-Rumaihi was delighted with his performance. “The Global Champions Tour is considered to be one of the most famous equestrian events in the world and it is of great significance in the Arab world and the gulf region in specific since it is a five star competition in which 30 of the world’s best show jumping riders compete. It also gives us the opportunity to engage with those champions gaining some of their expertise.”
“A victory in this competition is of great significance and of great importance to us as Qatari’s participating in our home country to win here. I wish my fellow Qatari riders and the Qatari national team the best of luck and hope they help us raise Qatar’s flag high in this final tour,” al-Rumaihi added.
Another Qatari rider Falah al-Ajmi said. “It is an honour and of great pride for me to be representing Qatar in such a significant five star competition in this tour. We have participated in several of the GCT tours this season and we managed to secure good rankings and now we have reached the final tour and I wish everyone all the best.”
The feature class of the show, the Longines Global Champions Tour of Doha Grand Prix will take place tomorrow at 5.15pm local time. In an exclusive interview this morning, the hot-favourite Ludger Beerbaum (GER) revealed he would not jump his top horse Chiara tomorrow, instead he would compete the less experienced Zinedine in a surprising twist.  
In a dramatic twist, the GCT Ranking Leader Ludger Beerbaum won’t compete his favoured top mount Chiara at the final, crucial event of the season. Instead the World No 2, who currently leads the Championship by just 12 points, will ride his less experienced horse, 10 year-old Zinedine.
Ludger Beerbaum explained: “The mare suffered a light colic. Although the vet gave his okay for a start, I won’t start with her.” Beerbaum went on to say that he does not wish to risk the health of his horse. “She is fine today, but still on medication and it’s not fair to compete her here.”
Beerbaum is in a three-man fight for the 2014 title with World No1 Scott Brash (GBR) and the in-form Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (SWE). “It will be very difficult to stay ahead until the end,” said Ludger. “The chances would have been more secure with Chiara, but that’s how it is. I am looking forward to Saturday, I will try my best. It’s not over yet!”
With Brash and Bengtsson fielding their top horses, Hello Sanctos and Casall ASK, Beerbaum’s narrow lead has become even more precarious and the German star’s title hopes now rest with his young stallion.
Beerbaum was widely tipped as hot-favourite for the big win tomorrow, but this last-minute switch of horses for the final showdown will make the Championship race much closer.