Having been slotted to jump last in the 48-rider field, Emanuele Gaudiano knew exactly what he had to do. The time to beat was 73.67 seconds, set by Julien Epaillard, and Gaudiano did just that to win the feature class on the opening day of the Global Champions Tour at Al Shaqab yesterday.
The Italian combined accuracy and speed to perfection with his 10-year-old stallion Chalou as the pair raced to the finish line to win by a mere 0.33 seconds. The slight drizzle and the wind blowing through the magnificent floodlit Al Shaqab arena made it slightly difficult for the riders. But for Gaudiano and Chalou it didn’t matter as the duo were in form with the Italian rider taking home €14,750 for his victory.
“It was very difficult today to defeat Epaillard but Chalou jumped great. Chalou is a very cautious jumper and outside he finds everything just a bit easier,” said Gaudiano.
Epaillard looked in great touch with Virtuose Champeix but had to settle for second place on the night. Epaillard’s French compatriot Kevin Staut was third with Viking d’La Rousserie, who came home in 74.32 seconds.
The CSI 5* 1.50/1.55m competition was also the first round of the Global Champions League, with the teams battling it out to take the lead going into tomorrow’s showdown.
In the easy to follow format each team has six riders and the two selected for the team compete one after the other, meaning the team score is immediately clear.
And it was Marlon Zanotelli and Jos Verlooy who excelled to give Monaco Aces the edge.
The Aces duo of Jos and Zanotelli, teaming up for the first time after transferring from other teams, were almost three seconds faster than Hamburg Giants in second position.
“I think we had a very good plan. I am happy to have Marlon next to me – if I need something or help he is always there, so it is great to team up with Marlon,” said Verlooy.
Giants’ new rider Simon Delestre, a big name transfer in the off season from Monaco Aces, set off at a blistering pace on Chesall Zimequest and stayed clear. New teammate Bart Bles riding Israel v/d Dennehoeve complimented Delestre after leading part way though the class as they tallied a total time of 163.31 seconds.
Shanghai Swans finished third with Daniel Deusser astride Callisto Blue going fast and clear. Pius Schwizer showed his experience and piloted Cortney Cox to a follow up clear propelling them into third position in a combined time of 164.94.
“It’s important to understand each other well within the team. It was a good start which is also necessary if you followed the last couple of seasons as it was very tight,” said Deusser.
Home team Doha Falcons finished disappointing 13th after Bassem Hassan Mohamed, on Gunder, had the front rail down for 4 faults knocking the team down the order. The Falcons were give a good start by new signing Jur Vrieling, who produced a clear round with VDL Glasgow.
Earlier, in the opening competition, Maikel van der Vleuten won the CSI 5* Two phases 1.45m class. The Dutchman and his 14-year-old mare Arera C were drawn in the latter half of the order and took the win by over half a second from the Simon Delestre of France.
The pair finished the round in 24.40 seconds. Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann riding Que Bueno de Hus Z finished in third place just 0.03 seconds slower than Delestre’s time of 24.98 seconds.
 
Results
CSI 5* GCL of Doha Round 1 - 1.50/1.55m (€59,000 to individual class winners)
1. Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA). Horse: Chalou. Time: 73.34; Prize money: €14,750
2. Julien Epaillard (FRA) Virtuose Champeix. 73.67 secs; €11,800
3. Kevin Staut (FRA) Viking d’La Rousserie. 74.32 secs; €8,850
 
CSI 5* GCL of Doha Round 1 – 1.50/1.55m team competition
1. Monaco Aces: Jos Verlooy. (Caracas) 80.59 secs; Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (VDL Edgar M) 79.84 secs. Total time: 160.43 secs
2. Hamburg Giants: Simon Delestre (Chesall Zimequest) 76.91 secs; Bart Bles (Israel v/d Dennehoeve) 86.40 secs. Total time: 163.31 secs
3. Shanghai Swans: Daniel Deusser (Calisto Blue) 83.92 secs; Pius Schwizer (Cortney Cox) 81.02 secs. Total time: 164.94 secs
 
CSI 5* Two phases 1.45m (€25.000)
1. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) Horse: Arera C. Time: 24.40 secs; Prize money: €6,250
2. Simon Delestre (FRA) Filou Carlo Zimequest. 23.98 secs; €5,000
3. Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) Que Bueno de Hus Z;  25.01 secs; €3,750
 
Competition Schedule
Today: At 4:30pm: CSI 5* Against-the-clock 1.50m (€50,200); At 6:30pm: CSI 5* Against-the-clock with jump-off 1.50/1.55m (€145,800)
Tomorrow: At 2:30pm: CSI 5* GCL of Doha Round 2 –1.55m (€95,000 to individual class winners); At 5:45pm: CSI 5* Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha – 1.60m (€375,000)