Philipp Weishaupt won the first Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of the season this afternoon. In doing so, he finished just ahead of his colleague, Christian Kukuk, who also competes for Ludger Beerbaum Stables. "This is a very special moment. Winning a Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix is special, but even more so with this young mare. I never expected to jump clear, let alone win. These unexpected wins are the best, so I am over the moon right now."
This is a very very special moment. Winning a Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix is special but even more so with this young mare. We always put our best horses in the league and we won that which was already incredible so to put this one in the Grand Prix I was never expecting to jump clear let alone win. These unexpected wins are the nicest ones so I am over the moon right now."
He went on to add: " It is a very special moment, the nicest story in this whole situation is when we have one down like what happened with Ludger's accident it could not have happened in a better place. We felt like the whole country of Qatar was helping us, the hospital was amazing and he almost felt like he was at home."
Omar Al Mannai, Event Director spoke of the competitive nature of the Longines Global Champions Tour, particularly at the season opener in Doha: "Always the Longines Global Champions Tour expectation is really high you never know who can win. We are very glad to host this event for the past 16 years. It has been a tough Grand Prix but the three winners did a great job and it has once again been an exciting competition."
A delighted Christian Kukuk explained in the post-event press conference: "It is quite an emotional second place today. I am definitely more smiling than crying today about coming second. I was last to go and I had to give everything. I am so happy for our team."
While third place Simon Destre praised the next-level show: "This is always one of my favourite shows of the season. Thank you to everyone for making this possible as all the facilities here, especially for the horses are fantastic."
Source: Press Release
