Hester masterclass at CHI Al Shaqab

Carl Hester showed a superpower performance in the Middle East to claim two convincing wins at the CHI Al Shaqab presented by Longines Doha, whilst British para rider Sara Bates also earned a podium placing. 

Five star performances by Hester

A trip to Qatar saw sunshine and strong scores for British team pair Carl Hester and Fame, who secured a convincing brace of wins at the CHI Al Shaqab show in Doha. In Friday's CDI5* Grand Prix judged by Isabelle Judet (E - FRA), Irina Maknami (H - PLE), Elke Ebert (C - GER), Magnus Ringmark (M - SWE) and Henning Lehrmann (B - GER), Carl rode an accomplished test for 75.848% and a unanimous victory. Score highlights came in the canter pirouettes, piaffe and collected walk, which collected numerous eights. The same placing followed in Saturday's CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle, where Carl and Fiona Bigwood's fantastic stallion produced a lovely artistic performance for 82.975%; again the technical highlights came in the collected work, with high points for both pirouettes, piaffe and passage, as well as textbook Hester halts. For the artistic marks, the judges rewarded no fewer than 14 nines across the collectives. 

Podium for Bates 

Alcester-based British para dressage rider Sara Bates made the trip to Doha with Tango, representing Great Britain in the Grade IV classes which she described as a 'dream come true'. The duo achieved a memorable placing in Saturday's Freestyle competition, where they placed as runners up to the current FEI world number one ranked Grade IV rider Kate Shoemaker (USA). Sara and Tango earned a great score of 68.792% riding to music from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to complete their Qatar journey with a second place ribbon. 

Results - top three and British riders

CDI 5* Grand Prix
1. Carl Hester and Fame, 75.848% (GBR) 
2. Sandra Sysojeva and Maxima Bella, 74.283% (POL)
3. Nadja Aaboe Sloth and Favour Gersdorf, 72.565% (DEN)

CDI 5* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Carl Hester and Fame, 82.975% (GBR) 
2. Nadja Aaboe Sloth and Favour Gersdorf, 80.915% (DEN)
3. Sandra Sysojeva and Maxima Bella, 79.345% (POL)

CPEDI 3* Grade IV Grand Prix A
1. Sandra Jeuken and Nespresso, 69.676% (NED)
2. Kate Shoemaker and Jagger, 68.519% (USA)
3. Laura Kangasniemi and Goldprins, 66.574% (FIN)
4. Sara Louise Bates and Tango, 61.667% (GBR)

CPEDI 3* Grade IV Grand Prix B
1. Kate Shoemaker and Jagger, 68.739% (USA)
2. Laura Kangasniemi and Goldprins, 67.432% (FIN)
3. Sandra Jeuken and Nespresso, 66.396% (NED)
5. Sara Louise Bates and Tango, 64.369% (GBR) 

CDI 3* Grade IV Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Kate Shoemaker and Jagger, 74.334% (USA)
2. Sara Louise Bates and Tango, 68.792% (GBR)
3. Melissa Janssen and Lets-GO, 68.625% (NED)

FULL RESULTS