(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Rizwan Rehmat / The Peninsula
Ukrainian riding star Rene Tebbel came, saw and conquered. The veteran rider arrived in Doha on Friday and sailed to a ‘magnificent' win less than 24 hours later with 10-year-old Cosun on the final day of the Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship.
Cosun clocked an impressive time of 48.18 seconds in the jump-off of the feature event yesterday, nailing the top prize of €22,975 in the 160cm class at QEF's Outdoor Arena.
Popular Australian Edwina Tops-Alexander astride Inca Boy Van T Vianahof secured the second position in a time of 51.81 seconds. Edwina bagged €18,380.
Great Britain's Alexandra Thornton (Cornetto K, 60.00 seconds, 1 fault, €13,785) finished in third spot in the four-rider jump-off. Kuwaiti rider Ali Al Khoraifi (Cheril, 54.16 seconds, 4 faults, €9,190) finished in fourth spot.
Tebbel said he landed in Doha on Friday for two competitions held yesterday.
'It's just an unbelievable feeling. It was a magnificent win. I came just a day ago, just for these two classes. I have come to Qatar many times before, but had never ridden here. It's a beautiful place, Tebbel said.
'I was thinking I may finish second or third, but the jump-off was really good. I knew it's really a good horse. I just came for two days and I had hoped to do well. But this is really a surprise.
'The horse is owned by Tuganov. I just ride him on the shows. He is trained by Tuganov. I have ridden him in many shows and I know how good he is. I had a good result this time.
'I was thinking maybe I am not fast enough in jump off. But after few strides I felt could beat the time, he added. 'My previous best was fifth here. This is my first win in Qatar, the 48-year-old added.
Earlier veteran Turkish rider Derin Demirsoy reached the podium one more time at QEF's Outdoor Arena, teaming up with Dadjak Ter Puttenen for the win in competition 8.
Dadjak Ter Puttenen clocked a time of 49.03 seconds to help Demirsoy win €6,150 in the 145cm class that was a qualifying round for the FEI World Cup.
'It was a great competition overall. Everything went well and I am very pleased with this outcome, Demirsoy said yesterday. 'We had two fantastic weeks though we were a bit unlucky at times. It's a great facility and I am very happy to be part of it, he added.
'I have international shows indoors in Holland. That's an indoor event as it will be freezing outside. There are some young horses. I will ride them. Then I have a big show in Austria after that. Hopefully I will be back in Doha, maybe next March, Demirsoy added.
Star Australian rider Edwina, astride Veronese Teamjoy, secured the second spot. Veronese Teamjoy clocked a time of 51.89 seconds as Edwina won €4,920.
Greek rider Athina Onassis also reached the podium when she guided Vannan to third place. Vannan clocked a time of 64,01 seconds as Onassis picked up €3,690 for her efforts.
Rakan Al Hasawi (Kuwait, Dennis, 48.68 seconds, 4 faults, €2,460) and Russia's Vladimir Tuganov (Qualidam, 53.39 seconds, 4 faults, €1,722) completed the top in a field 14 riders.
Earlier in competition 7, Kuwaiti Ali Al Khorafi, riding under the FEI flag, sailed to his win with 11-year-old Loki Doki for his second major victory of the three-day event.
Loki Doki clocked a time of 56.53 seconds in the 130/135cm class as Al Khorafi picked up €1,750.
Qatar's Awad Al Qahtani secured the second place with Gerenice Of Colours (57.65 seconds) to bag the second prize of €1,400. Kuwait's Yara Al Hunaidi (Dinky Toy Van De Castershoeve, 58.92 seconds) finished in third spot. Al Hunaidi won €1,050.
Qatari duo of Mohammed Nasser Al Qadi (Ferrari P.H., 65.85 seconds, €700) and Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi (Fiji, 66.82 seconds, €490) completed the top five from a field of 29 riders.
The three-day event was staged by Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) drawing hundreds of fans to the international event. Scores of diplomats and dignitaries also attended the events.
The QEF's Outdoor Arena will be a centre of activity for Hathab Series rounds that will be held in the coming weeks, organisers said.
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