Gaudiano dominates CSI5* as Qatar’s al-Kaabi shines

Emanuele Gaudiano, who had been earlier excelling in the Doha Tour rounds, continued his good form on day two of the prestigious three-day HH The Amir Sword Equestrian Festival at the magnificent Longines arena of Al Shaqab on Friday.The Italian topped the CSI5* - Faults & Time - 1.50m showjumping class with aplomb astride grey gelding Chalou’s Love PS to claim a big prize of €14,250. The duo clocked a flawless 66.85secs.Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly astride bay stallion Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior finished a close second in 67.25secs, while Great Britain’s Ellen Whitaker, riding bay mare Korlenski was third with a clear round of 67.53secs.The winners were honoured by Sheikh Mohammed bin Fahad al-Thani, representing Doha Bank, and Sheikh Ahmad bin Nooh al-Thani, Secretary-General of Qatar Equestrian Federation and Member of the Organising Committee.The CSI5* - Faults & Time - 1.45m also saw close high-class competition with Jane Annett of Great Britain claiming the top podium prize with a best clear round in 68.54secs on chestnut mare Impala.Ukrainian Anastasia Bondarieva, who rode dark chestnut mare Virunga H Z, was second in 71secs while Millie Allen of Great Britain took the third podium spot after cocking 71.34secs with black mare E-Maitresse Tvh Z. Abdulla al-Ali, CEO of SOCAST, awarded the winners.The CSI3*-W - FEI World Cup - Two Rounds - 1.50m class was clinched by Belgian rider Abdel Said, who on his mount Arpege du RU, a chestnut mare, returned best and clear times of 80.45secs and 41.62secs respectively.Germany’s Janne F Meyer-Zimmermann on chestnut mare Iron Dames High Level was second (80.48 & 43.50secs0, while Frenchman Antoine Ermann on bay gelding Odin Van ‘T Hanegoor claimed the third podium place clocking 81.44 and 44.19secs respective two rounds.The day’s opening CSI3*-W - Faults & Time - 1.40m class at the Longines outdoor arena saw Spaniard Mariano Martinez Bastida continue with his superb showjumping after the opening day as he claimed another title, this time astride bay stallion Quark de Preuilly Z. Bastida returned the best flawless time of 56.14secs.Kuwaiti rider Ali al-Khorafai on chestnut mare Karaat was second in 57.23secs while Portuguese Duarte Seabra, riding bay mare Geniale Star Kervec was third in 57.86secs. Nasser al-Hajri, Sports Director of the event, awarded the podium winners.Qatari rider Saif Mohammed al-Kaabi provided fans with more excitement as he won the CSIY-B - Special Two-Phase - 1.30m class which is a qualifier for International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Championship for Group 7 for the Youth.Al-Kaabi combined with bay gelding Jethro Colado for flawless best routines of 49.29 and 31.16 in the two phases respectively. Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz Fahad Aleid on bay mare Miss Cooper was second (52.14 & 33.49secs) while Iranian Amirhossein Saberi Rad astride chestnut mare Bella Rouge third (47.46 & 31.38secs respectively). Abdullah al-Qashouti, Director of Marketing & Communications for the event, honoured the winners.At the Longines indoor arena of Al Shaqab, the upcoming Abdulla Tamim H K al-Thani showed his skills in fine style winning the CSI1* - Faults & Time - 1.10m class. Abdulla rode grey mare Cassandra 352 with poise and precision returning the best flawless routine in 51.22secs.Saudi Arabia’s Fahad Alshammari on bay gelding Le Garde finished second with a time of 54.52secs while Qatar’s Abdulla Talib M A al-Saaq, astride chestnut mare Sandro Girl, was third clocking 56.83secs.Rashid Nasser al-Kaabi, President of the Organising Committee, honoured the winners with their prizes.Earlier, the CSI1* - Faults & Time - 1.25m class was topped by Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Alhady, who on his mount Capoen, a bay gelding, clocked the best 56.22secs.He was followed in second place by Qatar’s Hamad Nasser al-Qadi astride bay mare Happy Tina (57.45secs), while Saudi Arabia’s Fonoon Alhumaidan on bay gelding Underline des Marais was third (60.63secs). Saud al-Rumaihi, Manager of Facilities and Logistics Support of the Organizing Committee, awarded the winners.The Future Riders’ 80cm class saw Hayfa bint Hamad J al-Thani underline her riding skills as she rode Godette with authority to win registering the best flawless time of 58.09secs.Jabr Mohanna N al-Nuaimi astride Roubignac Van was second (57.89secs), and Nasser Hamad al-Thani, riding Coco Chanel Sb, third (58.38secs). Swede rider Ferja Culpan astride Koncordia Ve was fourth (58.63secs), Khalifa Khalid M al-Naimi, who rode Firenze, fifth (58.78secs), and Saudi Arabia’s Tamara al-Omran on Harold Loisel, sixth (57.20secs). Ahmed Khaled al-Hemaidi, Legacy and Heritage Specialist at Al Shaqab, honoured the podium winners with their prizes.The Preliminary Freestyle dressage event under lights at the Longines indoor arena saw more Qatari riders excel as Jassim Mohamed J A al-Kuwari showed good composure and trotting with his mount Floyd to accumulate the best total score of 71.833 points.Maryam Ahmad al-Boinin with Hutrine Vz claimed the second podium place with a total score of 71.283 points while the seasoned Wejdan Majed A M al-Malki, riding Imperioso CLXI, had to settle for the third place with a tally of 68.000 points.