A seven-rider jump-off topped off a dramatic finale as Luciana Diniz clinched the victory in HH The Emir’s Sword International Showjumping with her formidable partner Fit for Fun.
The CSI5* Grand Prix event was an amalgamation of intensity and exceptional sporting action climaxing in an unexpected win for Diniz, who started with a fault in the first round.
“Me and my horse both are happy. I feel great today. It is a special and an unexpected win for me,” Diniz said after pocketing QR 253,077 in prize money.
The Brazilian-born Portuguese world No 13 rider completed her first round in 78.52s with a fault but followed it up with a clear second round in 81.57s to qualify for the jump off.
Diniz was third in the arena for the jump-off and returned with a clear round in 33.22s leaving the remaining riders, including Qatar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani on Anyway II and Faleh Suwead al-Ajami on Coming Soon, to come clear and beat her time.
While Sheikh Ali returned with a fault, al-Ajami completed half the job with a clear round but took a little more than three seconds longer to hand the victory to Diniz and settle for the second place. Frenchman Frederic David finished third.
“I was not expecting the win today as I had a penalty in the first round, and some riders had double clear round. I was expecting a top-five position, but I was lucky to reach the jump off and eventually win it,” Diniz said.
On getting the sword from HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, she said: “It is a special feeling and it will remain with me for my entire life.”
The 45-year-old Diniz won the Global Champions Tour title defeating world No 1 British rider Scott Brash in the concluding Qatar leg last November.
“I like riding in Doha. It has the best facilities. I am looking forward to take part in next week’s CHI Al Shaqab,” she said.
Sheikh Ali, who won a CSI5* event in a six-rider jump-off yesterday, came fourth on Anyway II, after finishing with a four-point penalty in the jump off.
“Actually, as you saw these were tough two rounds and then a jump-off for the horses. I was not with my best horse Vienna Olympic as she was not well. But I think Anyway II did well today,” he said. “I am satisfied with our show as Qatar rider Faleh came close second. He did very well today.
“I am happy with Faleh clinching the second place,” the 33-year-old rider, who is part of the Qatar’s Rio-bound team, said.
Praising Diniz, Sheikh Ali said, “She is great rider and has a very good horse Fit for Fun. She is a deserving winner.”
The other member of the Qatar’s Olympic team Ali Yousef al-Rumaihi on Gunder and former Global Champions Tour champion Edwina Alexander-Tops on Lintea Teqila failed to qualify for the jump-off after finishing with two faults each in the second round.
Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia’s Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami won the CSI5* against the clock (155cm) event clocking 67.79s. Derin Demirsoy of Turkey came second with a timing of 68.62s. The third place went to Omer Karaevli of Turkey.
In the first event, Dona Evita won the CSI2* event. Qatar’s Khalid Hamad al-Attiya and Rashid Towaim al-Marri came second and third respectively.

RESULTS
CSI5* Table (A) Against the clock, Art. 238.2.1, 155 CM
1. Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami, Garlic Vh Kapelhof, 67.79seconds, QR 115,075.00
2. Derin Demirsoy, Narazo de Nyze Z, 68.62, QR 92,060.00
3. Omer Karaevli, Cortani, 69.81, QR 69,045.00
4. Abdullah al-Sharbatly, Little Pezi, 70.95, QR 46,030.00
5. Edwina Tops-Alexander, Clinton, 73.61, QR 32,221.00
CSI2* Table (A) Against the clock with jump off, Art. 238.2.2, 145 CM
1. Khaled al-Mobty, Dona Evita, 31.19 seconds, QR 30,525.00
2. Khalid Hamad al-Attiyah, Viking D, 34.69, QR 24,420.00
3. Rashid Towaim al-Marri, Kannada, 34.97, QR 18,315.00
4. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi, S I E C Lonnie, 35.66, QR 12,210.00
5. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi, Desperadito, 36.16, QR 8,547.00

CSI5* Table (A) Two Rounds with jump, Art. 273.3.4.1, 2.2 - 160 CM
1. Luciana Diniz, Fit For Fun 13, 33.32 seconds, QR 253,077
2. Faleh Suwead al-Ajami, Come Soon, 36.39, QR 153,380
3. Frédéric David, Equador Van’t Roosakker, 36.80, QR 115,035
4. Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani, Anyway II, 33.25, QR 76,690
5. Philipp Weishaupt, Liberty Son 2, 33.76, QR 46,014
6. Omar Karaevli, Dadjak Ter Puttenen, 34.20, QR34,510.50