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Thursday 2nd March – CSI5*

The sun came out for the first CSI5* showjumping class on the opening day of CHI AL SHAQAB. The two phase course was set up at 1m45 for a 25,000 euro prize fund which featured many of the best riders in the world.

 Abdelkebir Ouaddar beat 41other riders, including World Number One showjumper Daniel Duesser with a second phase time of 28.94. His partner for this competition was the experienced grey stallion Cordano Site Z, a Belgian bred by Cathargo Z.

Henrik Von Eckerman rode a well measured round to post a time of 29.4 on Chacanno, one of the Swedish rider’s younger string of Grand Prix horses. The bay stallion is by the leading show jumping sire Chacco-Blue out of a Kannan mare. Speaking after his round Von Eckerman said “I am lucky enough to have been here many times now and this is a great venue. I hope my horse has gained confidence from this experience.”

There were a number of early clears to set the standard and some strong performances from Qatari riders who are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with under the tutelage of Jan Topps. Bassem Hassan Mohammed was one such rider, who finished third on Argelith Squid and was riding for the well-established Qatar Equestrian Federation.

This beautifully presented arena gave riders plenty of space to acclimatize their horses and give them a pipe opener in this opening class. An impressive number of double clears- more than half the field, highlights the caliber of horses and riders who are competing at CHI AL SHAQAB 2017.  Most of the CSI 5* riders will contest the final class of the day with their second horses.