AD Ashleigh Drossel Dan, previously ridden by Laurie Lever for Australia, has won the first round of the Global Champions Tour in Doha, Qatar. The Global Champions Tour is an initiative of Jan Tops, partner of Australian showjumping star Edwina Alexander, and it has now includes some of the most prestigious showjumping events in the world.
The first round in Doha saw eighteen heavyweight show jumping rivals progress to the second round of the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix with only three jumping double clear, ensuring a very exciting jump-off.
Brazilian Alvaro de Miranda Neto (alias Doda) riding the scopey AD Ashleigh Drossel Dan was first to go on the shortened, technical track. They produced a sensationally fast clear jump-off round in 42.53 placing pressure on German rider Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Swiss rider Pius Schwizer.
The round certainly placed pressure on two to follow. A capacity crowd were willing the 18 year old Shutterfly and his German rider to victory however a rail down at a vertical four fences from home meant second place at best.
Schwizer riding Carlina looked up on time around the first part of the track, however felled a fence as they approached home allowing Doda to breathe a sigh of relief from the ‘kiss and cry’ stand.
For full results and reports, visit the Global Champions Tour website at http://www.globalchampionstour.com/
