Fredricson makes sizzling CHI Al Shaqab start with Hansson WL

Tribune News Network Doha Back to one of his favourite hunting arenas, World No. 1 Peder Fredricson threw down the gauntlet to his rivals ahead of a busy w...

Tribune News NetworkDohaBack to one of his favourite hunting arenas, World No. 1 Peder Fredricson threw down the gauntlet to his rivals ahead of a busy weekend as the Swede clinched the feature class on day one of the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines at the glorious Longines Outdoor Arena of Al Shaqab on Thursday.Dazzling under the lights, the 50-year-old was in a different class as he partnered with his powerful 14-year-old bay Hansson WL to an effortless victory in the CSI5* 1.55m class. The pair clocked a winning time of 64.83 seconds, to finish a second ahead of Christian Ahlmann of Germany.Ahlmann, astride Solid Gold Z, led for the most part before Fredricson stole it at the end. Henrik Von Eckermann completed the podium with his little speed demon Glamour Girl in a time of 65.96 seconds.Fredricson, who has a team gold medal from Tokyo Olympics to go with three silver medals from different Games – was the last to stride out and the Swede knew exactly what he had to do.“I knew I needed to take short turns without losing control to beat Christian’s time. It is an amazing horse. I like to start last, because it gives you an advantage. I had watched Christian, so I knew exactly what to do,” said Fredricson. “The course was difficult, especially the sixth hurdle was tricky. The facilities are great at Al Shaqab and it’s always a pleasure to jump here,” he added.Fredricson will now turn his attention to weekend’s Grand Prix, where he will start as a heavy favourite.Earlier, the first big class of the championship was a thrilling affair, with Ireland’s Denis Lynch topping the CSI5* 1.45m class with his grey stallion Cornets Iberio. The pair finished the second phase with the fastest time of 32.09 seconds. Norway’s Geir Gulliksen (gelding VDL Groep Quatro) and Frenchman Simon Delestre (Dexter Fontenis Z) clocked identical times of 32. 96 seconds to share second spot.Meanwhile, the Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab Dressage Level 1 saw Jessica Waldon emerge best riding San Francisco to score 67.988% as she finished ahead of Jassim Mohamed Al Kuwari astride Miss Chili (63.354%)The Level 2 event was won by Maryam Al Boinin on her trusted mount Silvan (62.683%).ResultsCSI5* F&T (238.2.1) 1.55m Show jumping1. Peder Fredricson (SWE) Horse: Hansson Wl; Time: 64.83 seconds; Prize money: 23800€ 2. Christian Ahlmann (GER); Solid Gold Z; 65.82 secs; 19040€ 3. Henrik Von Eckermann (SWE); Glamour Girl; 65.96 secs; 14280€ CSI5* Special Two Phases (274.2.5) 1.45m Show jumping1. Denis Lynch (IRL); Horse: Cornets Iberio; Times: 36.83 & 32.09 seconds; Prize money: 6375€ 2. Geir Gulliksen (NOR); VDL Groep Quatro; 39.33 & 32.96 secs; 4462.5€ 2. Simon Delestre (FRA) Dexter Fontenis Z; 39.62 & 32.96 secs; 4462.5€ Para-DressageCPEDI3* Team III (III Team)1. Lotte Krijnsen (NED); Rosenstolz; 71.127%; 330€ 2. Rebecca Hart (USA); El Corona Texel; 70.980%; 250€3. Cesar Denis (BEL) Hooverphonic V/H Koekoek’s Hof; 58.726%; 200€CPEDI3* Team II (II Team)1. Loes Cevaal (NED); Happy Hero II; 71.414%; 330€2. Annemarieke Nobel (NED); Doo Schufro; 64.848%; 250€CPEDI3* Team I (I Team)1. Jens Lasse Dokkan (NOR); Aladdin 73.452%; 330€2. Ana Isabel Mota Veiga (POR); Convicto; 69.822%; 250€CPEDI3* Team IV (IV Team)1. Rodolpho Riskalla (BRA); Don Henrico; 77.500%; 330€2. Kate Shoemaker (USA); Quiana; 72.583%; 250€3. Tessa Baaijens-Van De Vrie (NED); Happy Grace; 72.042%; 200€CPEDI3* Team V (V Team)1. Kevin van Ham (BEL); Eros Van Ons Heem; 71.938%; 330€2. Camilla Christensen (DEN); Fursten; 68.992%; 250€ 3. Britney de Jong (NED); Fleetwood RR; 68.644%; 200€Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab Dressage Level 1: 1. Jessica Waldon (GBR); San Francisco; 67.988%; 2. Jassim Mohamed Al Kuwari (QAT); Miss Chili; 63.354%; 3. Maryam Ahmad SA Al Boinin (QAT); Silvan; 62.683%;Level 21. Khalid Sanad AS Al Nuaimi (QAT); Gop Stop; 67.709%2. Hassan Hassan Al Nuaimi (QAT); Santa Cruz III; 67.188%3. Azade Apa Triolet (TUR); Calgary Vd Haterbeek; Z 67.084%Friday Schedule9:00-11:15 Outdoor Arena Longines Hathab - Small Tour1.15m / Special Two-Phase9:00-12:45 Indoor Arena Para-Dressage CPEDI 3* Individual Championship Test - €10,00012:30-14:15 Outdoor Arena Longines Hathab - Medium Tour1.35m / Table A against the clock (Ind. & Teams) 15:00-18:40 Indoor Arena Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix Test - €30,00015:15-15:35 Outdoor Arena Santi Serra Show - Friesian Horses15:40-16:50 Outdoor Arena Jumping CSI 5* 1.45m / Table C - €25,50017:40-18:00 Outdoor Arena Santi Serra Show - Arab Horses18:05-20:35 Outdoor Arena Jumping CSI 5* 1.60m / Jump Off - €148,700.