Rolf-Göran Bengtsson on Casall ASK. PC: Stefano Grass/LGCT
It was a night of dreams and the story of those who never give up, as Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) and the phenomenal 17-year-old stallion Casall ASK claimed both the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha win and the prestigious 2016 Champion of Champions title in a magnificent showdown in Qatar.
“It was an evening you can dream of, but for it to come true you never think it is possible,” Rolf said of his win. “My horse Casall ASK is just amazing. Still jumping at 17 years. He likes it and makes everything possible. What he has done for me is amazing. I am really, really happy.”
His powerful season performance propelled him into pole position in the ranking for the final leg in Doha and Rolf’s victory saw him take the lion’s share of the €1 million bonus prize money as he takes his place on the list of LGCT Champions. On a Tour that saw the world’s top show jumpers visit 15 incredible destinations, kicking off in Miami Beach, and reaching spectacular cities such as Mexico City, Monaco, Shanghai and Rome, it was the culmination of a fantastically consistent season for Rolf and Casall, with the pair taking wins in Valkenswaard and Paris, as well as podium finishes at other stops on the circuit.
In a night of high drama, Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) narrowly missed out on making history by becoming the first rider to win a hat-trick of titles, after a shock exit in the first round with fiery mare Lintea Tequila saw their Championship hopes dashed. The leading Australian rider settled for silver, and was delighted for Rolf, saying “he truly deserved it tonight”.
World Number 1 and former long-time leader of the LGCT Ranking Christian Ahlmann (GER) was able to keep hold on to his third place in the rankings after a strong performance from top stallion Taloubet Z, despite the threat from fellow Olympic athletes below.
Round 1: Thrills and Near Spills
The magnificent AL SHAQAB equestrian centre was the perfect backdrop for a night of top level sport. Course designer Uliano Vezzani set a challenging first round, throwing questions to the 41 starters to open the LGCT Grand Prix of Doha.
Thrills and spills came thick and fast, with John Whitaker (GBR) almost unseated at the final liverpool fence by top mare Ornellaia. With a stop that would have dropped many of the best riders, John was able to sit tight, but the unfortunate fault knocked him out of the running.
Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT) also had a hairy moment at fence three, a gappy oxer, with Dejavu knocking the popular Qatari rider off balance and causing him to loose a stirrup. Despite this, Bassem continued to the complex double combination, jumping a further three fences with just one stirrup before regaining it for the Longines triple. Despite the drama, the pair jumped clear, much to the delight of the local spectators, however picked up a time fault.
But the story of round one was Title rival Edwina Tops-Alexander’s (AUS) shock exit from the competition, after rolling two poles in a tough round with Lintea Tequila. The 8 faults meant Rolf would keep his winning lead of 5 points, and be crowned 2016 Champion of Champions.
Further big names were caught out at various elements on the course. Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello M’Lady were unlucky to pick up four faults, Lauren Hough (USA) and the eye-catching Cornet 39 collect a total of 8 penalties, while home hero Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT) also rolled a pole with his Olympic horse First Devision, however was able to progress to round two after making up time with skillful riding. Despite the pressure now off the shoulders of Rolf, he and Casall delivered a stunning round, which left the rest of the field in no doubt of his intent to win the Grand Prix as well as the Championship title.
Round Two: A Slew of Legends
The top 18 riders would progress to round two, an impressive 9 of whom were German riders, including the full Olympic team, as well as rising stars Philip Houston (GER) and Andreas Kreuzer (GER). After his masterful first round, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson was in pole position and the final rider to go. Laura Kraut (USA) and Zeremonie, World Number 1 Simon Delestre (FRA), Lorenzo de Luca (ITA), Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER), Christian Ahlmann (GER), Daniel Deusser (GER), Janne-Freiderike Meyer (GER) and Marco Kutscher (GER) joined Rolf on zero faults and the chance to create a jump-off.
A Jump-Off For the Ages
It would be a seven rider jump-off with Rolf and Casall once again in prime position of entering last after another breathtaking display of partnership and trust between horse and rider. Laura Kraut (USA) and her 9 year old grey mare Zeremonie were the first to set the pace, putting in an impressive performance to set the bar at 37.70 seconds to beat (they would ultimately finish in fourth). Janne-Friederike Meyer (GER) and the expressive Goja looked strong but clipped a fence, and Christian Ahlmann (GER) with Taloubet Z followed suit, both out of the running for a podium.
Daniel Deusser amd First Class van Eeckelghem. PC: Stefano Grasso/LGCT
Daniel Dessuer (GER) and First Class van Eeckelghem made some incredible turns, with Daniel maneuvering the long legged horse beautifully in a turn back to the penultimate vertical. The pair crossed the line in 36.84 seconds, raising the bar for those to come. Despite their best efforts World Number 2 Simon Delestre (FRA) and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) couldn’t match Daniel’s time, settling for fifth and third respectively.
The final round, in the final class of what’s been a phenomenal show jumping season belonged to Rolf and Casall. Silence fell as the pair entered the ring. With the Championship title in the bag, Rolf looked determined to add tonight’s Grand Prix to his accolades as he galloped the distances between fences one and two. An incredible 180 degree rollback to the penultimate vertical and perfectly balanced stride saw Rolf and Casall leap slightly ahead, as they stretched for the finish line, crossing it in a brilliant 36.44. With the spectators on their feet Rolf raised his hat in the air in celebration to acknowledge their huge support, with an elated Casall bouncing to the cheer of the guests who gave the pair a standing ovation.
Rolf, his groom, and Bo Kristofferson. PC: Stefano Grasso/LGCT
As for what comes next for this legendary partnership, Rolf seems determined to keep listening and watching his longtime partner to determine when the time is right to take him off the circuit.
“If he jumps like this it is hard to stop. We are going to have a discussion in the team but I feel with Casall right now it would be a shame to put him in a box and say it is all over. On the other hand you can’t make it better than today. I have a great feeling if we manage we can continue but for how long we have to see.”