The CSI5* show in Doha just featured the highlight of the weekend: the Longines Grand Prix. The combinations were presented with a tough course over a height of 1m60. Ten combinations managed to clear the first round without any faults. A jump-off with ten therefore had to be decisive.
With IQ van het Steentje (by Toulon), Wilm Vermeir was able to put the pressure firmly on the five combinations that came after him. The duo was able to record a clear round in 38.44 seconds, a time that could well hold out. However, this was beyond that other Belgian, Abdel Said. Riding the 11-year-old Bonne Amie (by A Big Boy), he immediately took off like a rocket. This resulted in an extremely fast time: 37.33 seconds. The duo also left all the bars in the scoops, allowing Said to take over the lead from Vermeir.
Marcus Ehning was next with Coolia 42 (by Casaltio). Ehning rode a round out of the book with the 11-year-old gelding and finished in 38.08 seconds. Not enough to knock Said off the throne but enough to move Wilm Vermeir into third place.
Harry Allen was the next to enter the arena for the jump-off. The young Irishman was just a little faster than Ehning with Calculatus (by Cachassini). The duo finished in 37.54 seconds. Enough to take over second place but not fast enough to keep Said from the gold. The only rider who could still prevent a Belgian victory at that point was Christian Kukuk. His Checker 47 (by Comme Il Faut) tapped one bar out of the spoons, leaving the duo to make peace with sixth place.
Victory thus for Abdel Said. Wilm Vermeir finished in fourth place. The top five was completed by Abdulrahman Alrajhi and Ventago (by Van Helsing). They jumped a clear round in 39.09 seconds.