16 January '24
Ines Joly and Quirados Z triumph in Doha CSI2* GP
© Ines Joly
In the United Arab Emirates, we were able to enjoy the Al Shira'aa International Horse Show in Abu Dhabi last weekend, but just a little further in Qatar, there has also been an international competition on the programme in recent days with the opening week of the Doha Tour 2024. We got another blue/yellow GP victory there thanks to French rider Ines Joly and her 12-year-old gelding Quirados Z, a son of Quidam de Rêvel and Coronado who was bred by PGMBH Hammes and who is also a half-brother of Claire Z, Pieter Devos' former top mare who recently retired from competition. Joly and Quirados Z were already coming off a strong performance on Thursday with a 6th place in the 1.45m Longines Ranking Test, but kept the best ahead during the CSI2* GP on Saturday afternoon. After a clear round, they were one of five combinations to secure a place in the jump-off. In that, they again had it flawless and with a time of 44.59 seconds, they were over 3.5 seconds ahead of the competition.
Furthermore, in Doha it was also a top weekend for Brazilian rider Santiago Lambre with the 15-year-old gelding Cetano van Aspergem Z, a breeding product of Katelijn Desmet who combined the blood of Clinton I with that of Ahorn Z. Lambre and Cetano Van Aspergem Z competed twice in Doha and in both the 1.45m high Longines Ranking Class on Thursday and the 1.45m high on Friday they managed to outclass the competition with great conviction.
Another combination that managed to jump into the limelight again in the oil state was Liechtenstein rider Jennifer Hochstadter with her 13-year-old stallion Tinka's Hero Z, a son of Tinka's Boy and Caretino from the breeding farm of Vincent Jourdan and Luc Henry. Hochstadter and Tinka's Hero Z started their competition on Thursday with a 3rd place in the 1.45m class, followed a day later by a 2nd place in another 1.45m class. Frenchman Simon Delestre followed in 3rd place during this 1.45m class on Friday with his 11-year-old top gelding Dexter Fontenis Z (Diarado x Voltaire - F: S.C.R.I S.Ky Horses).
Translated by deeple.com