Britain’s Scott Brash dominated the equestrian scene in Doha, Qatar, this weekend, securing victories in both the CSI5* and CSI3* Grand Prix events at the H H The Father Amir’s Prix Tour 3. The prestigious show jumping competition, held at Al Shaqab, saw riders from around the globe compete for top honors, with Belgium’s Abdel Said and the USA’s Kristen Vanderveen rounding out the podium in the CSI3* Grand Prix. The event showcased a high level of skill and athleticism in the equestrian sport.
The final day of competition, January 25th, featured a range of classes at both the Longines Indoor Arena and the Outdoor Arena, attracting a diverse field of competitors and spectators. Minister of Public Health H E Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud presented the awards to the winning riders, alongside Deputy Event Director Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin and Vice-Chairperson of Qatar Foundation H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani.
Scott Brash Triumphs in Doha Grand Prix Events
Brash’s success began with a win in the CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix Jump-Off, riding the 11-year-old mare Hello Mango. He completed the jump-off in a swift 44.47 seconds, outpacing Austria’s Gerfried Puck (44.92 seconds) and Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman Alrajhi (45.04 seconds). Brash expressed his delight with Hello Mango’s performance, noting her youth and exceptional talent.
He continued his winning streak, also claiming victory in the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix Jump-Off with Hello Folie, finishing in 40.81 seconds. Belgium’s Abdel Said finished closely behind in 41.23 seconds, while Kristen Vanderveen of the USA secured third place with a time of 41.54 seconds. This double win underscores Brash’s current form as one of the world’s leading show jumping riders.
Strong Performances Across Multiple Classes
Beyond Brash’s victories, the competition saw strong performances from riders representing several nations. Abdullah Alsharbatly of Saudi Arabia won the CSI5* 1.50m Special Two-Phase event, demonstrating the growing strength of equestrian sports in the region. Qatar also enjoyed success on home turf, with Faris Saad Al Qahtani winning the CSI3* 1.40m Accumulator.
In the CSI1* 1.30m Grand Prix Jump-Off, USA’s Suzette Tittle emerged victorious, riding Jasmijn in 31.84 seconds. Egypt’s Fatima Mohanad and Qatar’s Saad Ahmed Al Saad followed in second and third place, respectively. The event also featured a CSIJ-B 1.20m Jump-Off qualifier, where Qatari riders dominated the podium, showcasing the development of young talent in the country. This level of competition is a key component of Qatar’s investment in equestrian sports.
Further demonstrating the breadth of talent, Khalid Jassim Al Suwaidi of Qatar won the CSIJ-B 1.20m Jump-Off Group VII series qualifier, followed by fellow Qatari riders Tamim Joaan Al Thani and Suhaim Hamad Al Yafei. Al Hadi secured victory in the CSI1* 1.20m Accumulator, highlighting the competitive spirit throughout the various classes. The National Competition 1.00m Special Two-Phase also saw a Qatari sweep of the top three positions, with Maryam Mohammed Al Sada, Alqaqaa Tamim Al Thani, and Dana Omar Al Emadi taking gold, silver, and bronze.
The event served as a significant platform for international and local riders alike, fostering a spirit of competition and camaraderie. The focus on developing young riders, as evidenced by the CSIJ-B classes, is a crucial aspect of ensuring the long-term growth of the sport. The high caliber of competition also attracted considerable attention to Qatar as a premier destination for equestrian events, boosting its profile in the global show jumping community.
The fourth and final Tour of H H The Father Amir’s Prix is scheduled to take place from January 29th to 31st. Organizers will be looking to build on the success of the previous tours and continue to attract top equestrian talent to Doha. The upcoming tour will likely provide further insight into the evolving landscape of international show jumping and the continued development of equestrian sports in Qatar.
