Britain’s Maher a close second as 2019 Longines Global Champions Tour explodes out of the gates

As the CSI5* show jumping tour gears up for its worldwide voyage in 2019 – the next leg takes place in Mexico City in April – the opening competition in the Qatari capital was an opportunity to not only go after a big paycheque in the €375,000 Grand Prix, but also pick up points towards the overall title and secure a place in the year-end Super Grand Prix in Prague, Czech Republic (which is open to winners of individual LGCT Grand Prix over the course of the year).

At the futuristic AL SHAQAB competition venue in the Middle East Saturday, five horse-and-rider combinations made it into the tie-breaking jump-off in the Grand Prix on Uliano Vezzani’s course after flawless first rounds: Italy’s Alberto Zorzi (on Contanga), the Netherlands’ Frank Schuttert (Chianti’s Champion), Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts (H&M Chilli Willi), Maher and Epaillard. 

And in the end, it was a somewhat flabbergasted Epaillard on top of the podium after edging out the two other riders who had stayed clear, Maher and Philippaerts, with the three stopping the clock respectively in 40.11, 40.55, and 43.43 seconds. The 42-year-old Frenchman, currently ranked 50th in the world, pocketed €123,750, 40 points in the LGCT standings, and a ticket to the showdown in Prague. Maher and Philippaerts picked up 37 and 35 points for their second and third-place finishes.

“It is crazy for me today,” Epaillard said afterwards. “I had planned to ride a different horse. But I changed my plan and was so surprised to be clear in the first round. And I was first [to ride] in the jump-off. I was not thinking to win the GP but it was fantastic.”

For his part, Maher (pictured above with his star mount in Doha) said: “I am very happy – Explosion has been incredible all weekend; he hasn’t jumped since Prague. I just misjudged it today and we just were not good enough to beat Julian, but that’s sports and I am just excited for the season. I didn’t take too much of a risk, I would have taken second and I’m happy to be on the podium.”

“It is a real art to get this result,” added the co-founder of the circuit Jan Tops, paying tribute to the competition planning. “Our course builder [Vezzani] knows the facility and the riders. It was the right number [in the jump-off] today. Julian was knocking on the door all week – he always gives his maximum, and I’m very pleased he will have the first ticket for the LGCT Super Grand Prix. Ben was so close – last year he won four LGCT Grand Prix so I think he will be there as well.”

And Omar Al Mannai, Commercial Manager of AL SHAQAB, concurred with that assessment from Tops. “Uliano Vezzani the course builder was very smart today and he could satisfy the riders and the crowd,” he said. “Congratulations to all.” Al Mannai also noted that the equestrian sports facility is looking at how it can take advantage of hosting the event to help with the development of youth riders through an international training camp and cultural exchange.