Global Champions Tour in Doha – and it got off to a great start. On Thursday, Don Diarado jumped just as easily and effortlessly as the previous weekend, resulting in a very nice clear round for us. Admittedly, he was quite energetic, still carrying that energy from the jump-off last weekend 🙂
On Saturday, in the first round of the team jumping competition, we had a completely uncharacteristic fault at a vertical-oxer combination. Normally, when we have such a combination in the course, Don Diarado tends to be a bit too cautious at the oxer. But this time, he still had so much impulsion that he had a fault with his forehand at the vertical. A real shame. In the end, our team, the Miami Celtics, finished fourth. Two teams went clear after both rounds and took first and second place. Then came the Berlin Eagles and us, each with one rail down. Too bad, my teammate Gilles Thomas and I were unfortunately a bit slower than the Berliners, hence fourth place, but we were quite happy with that.
The Grand Prix course was really tough. With combinations, a cross oxer over water, and then under floodlights to boot. And there was another vertical oxer combination in there. This time we were both so focused on the forehand that Don Diarado very slightly touched the vertical with his hindquarters. That was a bit annoying. Especially since it happened at jump 10a, so I didn’t have much of a chance to make up any time.
Overall review of Doha 2020: Don Diarado is in top form. Over the two weekends, he completed seven courses, some of them really difficult, and was flawlessly clear five times. Very, very good!
It was my first time in Doha, and for two tournaments back-to-back, so two whole weeks. To be honest, that was long enough. Since I only had one horse with me, I had plenty of time and saw quite a lot. Our hotel was right in the city center – a shame, in previous years the riders were always accommodated in a hotel directly on the beach. Then we probably could have relaxed even more during those two weeks. It was a completely new experience. The amount of construction there is absolutely insane. But I’m definitely glad to be back in Emsbüren now.
