Malin Baryard-Johnsson & H&M Indiana Impress the Most in the €410,000 CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix CSI 5*

By Jumper News on 28 28America/Sao_Paulo February 28America/Sao_Paulo 2024

Doha, Qatar – February 24, 2024 – A fantastic week of top sport came to an end last Saturday at the stunning Al Shaqab and it was Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) and H&M Indiana who brought spectators from all over the world, Qatari authorities and even royalty to their feet, claiming the €410,000 CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix CSI 5*, presented by Longines to conclude the 2024 edition of the CHI Al Shaqab.

Once again Uliano Vezzani (ITA) was entitled with the task of designing another masterpiece, challenging 39 combinations on the course designed for the feature class of the event. The challenge was run under the two-round format, featuring fences as high as 1.60 meters and being contested by heavyweights of the noble sport: Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS), Santiago Lambre (BRA), Christian Kukuk (GER), Abdel Said (BEL), Pieter Devos (BEL), Maikel van der Vleuten (NED), Max Kuhner (AUT), Simon Delestre (FRA), Christian Ahlmann (GER), Marcus Ehning (GER), John Whitaker (GBR) amongst other stellar names.

***Malin Baryard-Johnsson*** (SWE) & **H&M Indiana**

Despite their greatness, none of these exceptional riders managed a top-three finish. The coveted title and the lion’s share of the €410,000 jackpot, awarding the winner 135,500 euros, were within the grasp of Malin-Baryard Johnsson (SWE), Eduardo Álvarez Aznar (ESP) and Wilm Vermeir (BEL).

Five of the twelve combinations who had produced a clean scorecard in the first round managed to duplicate the feat in the thrilling decider. In fact, the top three were separated by less than seven-tenths of a second. In the end it was the masterful ride Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) aboard the small but quick steps of H&M Indiana which proved to be vital. The super Swede and the 16-year-old bay Belgian Warmblood mare (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Animo’s Hallo) clinched victory in 43.19 seconds.

Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) and Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot were nipped at the wire, only four-hundredths of a second separating them from golden glory. The Spaniard and the 19-year-old Selle Français gelding (L’Arc de Triomphe x Apache d’Adriers) put on a show too but had to settle for second due to their final time of 43.23 seconds.

No strangers to the big stage and limelight, Wilm Vermeir (BEL) and Iq van het Steentje were consistent again, registering two flawless rounds in Longines Arena of the Al Shaqab. Vermeir guided the 16-year-old bay Belgian Warmblood gelding (Toulon x Kannan) earned bronze honors in 43.88 seconds.