On Thursday the Al Shaqab arena in Doha, Qatar delivered topsport in the main 1.50m Longines Ranking class. In this CSI5* competition it was Spain's Mariano Martinez Bastida who speeded to the win aboard his Belgian -bred stallion, Origi van 't Geyzeven (breeder: Boudewijn Schepers).
Bastida and his 11-year-old son by Thunder vd Zuuthoeve stayed ahead over one second, on Gerfried Puck. The Austrian showjumper followed aboard BWP-gelding, Equitron Ornaat V (Leo Vermeiren). Earlier in the day Puck jumped to the win in the CSI3*-w 1.45m qualifier, counting on his mare Melody vd Smidshoeve.
Together with SF-gelding, Floyd des Pres (Vigo Cece), France's Antoine Ermann completed the stage. The pair was followed by Inigo Lopez de la Osa Franco and Nacco Blue Dnl (Chacco-Blue).
Aboard her 14-year-old KWPN-mare, Golden Lady (Cassini Gold), Jennifer Hochstaedter completed the top five.
