Austrian Gerfried Puck wins five-star class at 155cm as Al Shaqab Cup continues

Doha: The Al Shaqab Cup continued on Friday at the Longines Arena in Al Shaqab – a member of Qatar Foundation – featuring three competitive classes across the one-star, three-star and five-star categories, with jump heights ranging from 110cm to 155cm.

More than 150 riders took part in the championship, competing for a total prize purse of €784,000, as the third day delivered high-level performances and intense competition.

The day’s action began with the one-star class at a height of 110cm, where Qatari rider Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al Thani claimed top honours. Riding Proud, he secured first place with a time of 29.89 seconds.

Fellow Qatari Abdullah Ahmed Al Khulaifi finished second with a time of 30.02 seconds on Quinta, while Hala Al Rashid of Saudi Arabia came third after clocking 32.39 seconds aboard Crossing. The winners were crowned by Ahmed Khaled Al-Humaidi, Equestrian Programs Advisor at Al Shaqab.

In the three-star class at 135cm, France’s Jean-François Rondot delivered an impressive performance to take first place with a time of 27.28 seconds on Inter Larousse.

Fahad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani secured second place with a time of 28.81 seconds riding Lavister, while Saad Ahmed Al Saad completed the podium in third with a time of 29.22 seconds on Gary de Cressy. The winners were crowned by Salmeen Al-Suwaidi, the championship’s sporting director.

The highlight of the day came in the *CSI5 five-star jump-off at a height of 155cm, which produced a thrilling contest among elite riders. Austria’s Gerfried Puck emerged victorious after posting a time of 39.05 seconds on Equitron.

Mohammed Mughith of Syria followed in second place with a time of 40.67 seconds on Carlotto, while Kuwait’s Ali Al-Kharafi finished third with a time of 41.43 seconds riding A. The winners were crowned by Sheikh Talal bin Khalid Al Thani, Assistant Director of the Championship.

Meanwhile, Thursday’s competitions had earlier set the tone for the event, beginning with the three-star class at 140cm. Qatari rider Sultan Salem Al-Nuaimi claimed first place with a time of 57.01 seconds on Energica.

South Africa’s Matthew Morrison came second with a time of 66.01 seconds on Quebec, while Kuwait’s Yara Al-Hunaidi secured third place with a time of 66.95 seconds riding Valmira. The winners were crowned by Khalil Ibrahim Murad, judge and representative of the International Equestrian Federation.

In the 130cm class, Al-Nuaimi continued his strong showing, taking first place once again with a time of 56.52 seconds aboard Cavallina. Saudi rider Khalid Al Hadi finished second with a time of 57.49 seconds on Capion, while American rider Christine Vanderveen claimed third place with a time of 57.51 seconds on Belle Runners Creation. The winners were crowned by Nadar Al Masri, a member of the judging panel.

In the final class of the second day, held at a height of 125cm, Qatari rider Ibrahim Khalid Al Kuwari secured first place with a time of 57.36 seconds on Flexi Bell. Saudi rider Khalid Al Hadi followed in second place with a time of 57.4 seconds on Carlton, while his compatriot Salem Balharith came third with a time of 59.41 seconds on Lovina. The winners were crowned by Lahdan Al Buainain, the Championship’s Arena Manager.

The competition is set to continue on Saturday with seven classes scheduled across the one-star to three-star categories, featuring jump heights ranging from 115cm to 150cm at the Longines Indoor and Outdoor Arenas in Al Shaqab.