Kittel and Touchdown Best 2022 CDI Doha Grand Prix

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2022 CDI Doha

Swedish Patrik Kittel and his young Grand Prix hope Touchdown bested a field of twenty competitors in the 5* Grand Prix class held at the Al Shaqab equestrian centre in Doha, Qatar, on 25 February 2022.

The Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix Test saw Sweden’s Patrik Kittel continue his run of victories at Al Shaqab, with second place going to Dinja van Liere, of the Netherlands, on Hermes, and Hans Peter Minderhoud, also of the Netherlands, finishing third astride Dream Boy

Kittel, a regular visitor to CDI Doha, was full of praise for the event, which is the only one of its kind in the Middle East and Asia region, while also he also paid tribute to Touchdown, a 10-year old Swedish warmblood by Quaterback x Sack.

Kittel said: “My horse is very young. This is his fourth international show and one of the biggest he’s done. He gives me a lot of confidence in the ring. He’s very electric but at the same time very calm, and really trusts me. I’ve won with a few different horses here over the years and I’m a big fan of Al Shaqab. I love coming back. Everyone here is so friendly to the riders. The hotels are good, the stables are good, the arenas are good. Everything is geared to making a fantastic show, and that why you as a rider also want to come back.”

In the same category, Wejdan Mejad Al Malki made history when she became the first Qatari dressage rider to compete in five-star Grand Prix competition. Riding Mango Jacaro, her entrance and efforts delighted proud local fans at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab. She competes again in the CDI5* Grand Prix Special on the third and final day of the event, and will be looking to impress.

Dressage competition continues on the weekend in Doha with the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle.

-- Al Shaqab press release