Vanderveen shines in CSI5* jump-off at H H The Father Amir’s Prix

Doha: Kristen Vanderveen stamped her authority in the final round of the H H The Father Amir’s Prix, delivering a standout victory in the CSI5* Table A jump-off over 155cm at Al Shaqab yesterday.

The American rider proved untouchable in a high-speed barrage, guiding 12-year-old gelding Bull Run’s Jireh to a flawless round in 40.14 seconds, a time that proved unbeatable until the very end. Switzerland’s Nadja Peter Steiner came closest to denying Vanderveen, producing two clear rounds with Clearround IL Mondo but finishing just fractions behind in 40.53 seconds. 

Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli completed the podium after a faultless jump-off aboard Charly Heart in 41.02 seconds. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann narrowly missed out on the top three, placing fourth with My Lady Lavista in 42.08 seconds, while Britain’s Harry Charles rounded out the top five with Fighting Phil in 42.30 seconds.

The CSI5* Six Bar competition over 150cm delivered a dramatic test of power and scope as the fences rose round by round, eventually producing a clear winner.

Millie Allen claimed the honours with Quickly D vh Ijzerenlindehof, the only combination to remain fault-free throughout the competition. Philipp Weishaupt finished second with Lady Concern du Rezidal, while third place was shared between Juan Carlos Garcia on Django du Marais, Mustafa Saed with Kalliope Lvp Z and Max Kuhner riding Eic Cooley Jump The Q, all of whom recorded a fault in the last round after strong earlier performances.

Millie Allen claimed the honours with Quickly D vh Ijzerenlindehof in the CSI5* Six Bar competition over 150cm.

In the CSI5* Faults and Time class over 145cm speed and precision took centre stage again, where Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt set the benchmark with a sharp clear round on Karaldo in 59.87 seconds, the only combination to dip under one minute.

Saudi’s Abdullah Alsharbatly followed in second place aboard Valentino in 62.33 seconds, with American Eve Jobs completing the podium after a faultless run on Kannandillo in 62.44 seconds.

Steiner continued her strong form to finish fourth with Nice Van’t Zorgvliet in 62.68 seconds, while Vanderveen closed out the top five with another clear performance, riding Starbucks 27 to a time of 62.80 seconds, underlining the narrow margins that defined the class.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Alsharbatly topped the CSI3* Faults and Time class over 1.45m, delivering a composed and faultless round with Quisandro to take victory in 60.55 seconds. Qatar’s Faleh Suwead Al Ajami followed closely in second place aboard Wathnan Qapella, also clear in 61.20 seconds, while Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano completed the podium with Julius.D after stopping the clock at 61.48 seconds.

Gaudiano returned to dominate the CSI3* Jump-Off class over 1.40m, claiming both first and second places. The Italian rider secured the win with a double-clear performance on Diarouge Blue PS in 37.06 seconds, before repeating the feat with Chabrello PS to finish second in 37.73 seconds. Iraq’s Zayed Ali finished third after a steady double-clear round with Quirani van de Maltahoeve in 39.37 seconds.

The CSI3* Special Two-Phase competition over 1.30m saw Britain’s Oliver Fletcher emerge on top, producing a sharp double-clear round with Krack Bleu C to win in 32.78 seconds. Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Alasaker placed second aboard Scoobylensky Theyss in 34.43 seconds, with Egypt’s Abdallah Haitham close behind in third on Consagros after crossing in 34.68 seconds.

Saudi riders claimed the top two spots in the CSI1* Faults and Time class over 1.25m, with Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al Alsheik leading the way aboard Lalla Aicha in a clear 55.41 seconds. Mohammed Aldalaan followed in second on Sarina Del Valle in 55.85 seconds, while France’s Jean Francois Rondoux finished third with Inter-Larus after a clear round in 59.49 seconds.

Young riders took centre stage in the CSICh-B Special Two-Phase over 1.05m, where Halah Alrasheed of Saudi Arabia claimed victory with a double-clear effort on Cruising On The Ridge in 23.68 seconds. Qatar’s Abdulla Ahmad Al Musafri finished second aboard Celia Z in 24.71 seconds, while Sharida Nasser S S Al Kaabi completed the podium with Mazzeltof in 26.77 seconds.

Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt CSI5* Faults and Time class over 145cm with a clear round on Karaldo.

In the CSI1* Faults and Time class over 1.15m, Fahad Alshammari of Saudi Arabia delivered the fastest clear round with Le Garde to win in 53.13 seconds.

Qatar’s Mohammed Eisa Al Bukhari placed second on Canao du Lohic in 53.95 seconds, followed by Saad Waheed Al Kuwari in third with Galatee de La Trigale in 54.71 seconds.

Qatari riders dominated the National Competition Optimum Time class over 80cm, with Ghanim Thamer Al Maadadi claiming top honours aboard Kroaat after finishing just 0.02 seconds inside the optimum time.

Moza Hamza Al Kuwari followed closely in second with Senna on 0.03 seconds, while Salha Khalid Al Obaidli secured third place with Violet after finishing 0.08 seconds outside the optimum.

Sheikh Talal bin Khalid Al-Thani, Assistant Tournament Director, said the H H The Father Amir’s Prix has confirmed its standing as one of the leading events on the international equestrian calendar, following four rounds marked by intense competition and elite participation.

He noted that the championship brought together a select field of the world’s top riders, headed by world number two Scott Brash, alongside a strong presence of local competitors who consistently reached the podium across multiple classes. This balance, he said, reflects both the global appeal of the event and the continued progress of Qatari riders at the highest level.

Sheikh Talal stressed that the championship recorded outstanding success by all measures, with riders representing more than 38 countries and total prize money exceeding €3.3mn. These figures, he added, underline the growing international stature of the event and its importance within the global showjumping circuit.

Looking ahead to the final day, he said attention now turns to the conclusion of the championship and the crowning of the Grand Prix winners of His Highness the Father Amir’s Prix. He described the finale as the culmination of four rounds of high-level competition, organisation and sporting excellence, crediting the success of the event to meticulous planning, strong organisational integration and adherence to the highest international standards.

Sheikh Talal also highlighted that Qatar’s accumulated experience in hosting major international sporting events forms the foundation for the ambitions of the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026 Organising Committee.

He added that the tour strengthens Qatar’s position as a regional and international sporting hub, while contributing to economic activity and the sustainable development of the sports sector through close cooperation with local and international partners.

Today’s fourth and final round will feature a full programme of Grand Prix competitions across three categories.

The main outdoor arena will host the CSI3* Grand Prix over 150 cm with a jump-off, followed by the CSI5* Grand Prix over 160 cm with a jump-off. The Longines indoor arena will stage the CSI1* Grand Prix over 130 cm with a jump-off.

The secondary outdoor arena will feature a CSI3* class over 130 cm with a jump-off, alongside a local class over 100 cm. The Longines indoor arena will also host a class over 120 cm with a jump-off, as well as a junior class over 110 cm with a jump-off.

In addition, the main outdoor arena will stage a CSI3* competition over 140 cm, followed by a CSI5* class over 150 cm contested over two rounds.

The programme will also include jump-off competitions over 100 cm. The H H The Father Amir Award comprises four international rounds spanning one- to five-star categories, in addition to dedicated competitions for junior and youth riders. The second, third and fourth rounds also serve as qualifiers for the FEI Group VII Finals.