Rolf-Göran Bengtsson wins 2016 Longines Global Champions Tour title

Riding Casall ASK, it was a fairytale ending for Bengtsson as his most powerful performance of the season came at the right time to propel him into pole position in the ranking for the final leg in Doha. Victory also assured him the lion’s share of the €1 million bonus prize money as he takes his place on the list of LGCT Champions.

In a night of high drama, Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander 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 Lintea Tequila saw their Championship hopes dashed.

World number one and former long-time leader of the LGCT Ranking Christian Ahlmann of Germany was able to keep hold of his third place in the rankings after a strong performance from top stallion Taloubet Z, despite the threat from fellow Olympic athletes below.

The AL SHAQAB equestrian centre was the perfect backdrop for course designer Uliano Vezzani’s challenging first round track for the 41 horse and rider combinations.

Germany’s Marco Kutscher jumped a clean clear round with Clenur as first rider to go and home favourite Bassem Hassan Mohammed also going clear, but thereafter the faults came thick and fast with many big names being caught out at various elements on the course. They included Great Britain’s Scott Brash on Hello M’Lady who were unlucky to pick up four faults, and USA’s Lauren Hough with Cornet 39 who collected eight penalties.

But the story of round one was Tops-Alexander’s shock exit from the competition, after rolling two poles in an uncharacteristic round with Lintea Tequila. The eight faults meant Bengtsson would keep his winning lead of five points, and would be crowned 2016 Champion of Champions.

The top 18 riders would progress to round two, with nine of those being German riders, including the full Olympic team, as well as rising stars Philip Houston and Andreas Kreuzer.

However only seven riders would go double clear and progress to the final jump-off round decider of the 2016 LGCT season.

USA’s Laura Kraut on Zeremonie were the first to set the pace, putting in an impressive clear round performance in 37.70 seconds to beat.

Germany’s Janne-Friederike Meyer on Goja looked strong but clipped a fence, before compatriot Ahlmann on Taloubet followed suit, meaning both were out of the running for a podium.

Fellow German Daniel Dessuer on First Class van Eeckelghem made some incredible turns, crossing the line in 36.84 seconds to take over the lead. Despite their best efforts, another German, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and world number two France’s Simon Delestre both couldn’t catch Dessuer’s effort, settling for third and fifth respectively.

It was then left quite fittingly for Bengtsson and Casall to complete proceedings as last-to-go and the pair did not disappoint. With the Championship title already assured, the pair delivered another faultless display over the fences and stretched for the finish line, crossing it in a brilliant 36.44 seconds to take top spot on the podium.

Victory for Bengtsson was the culmination of another consistent season for the experienced Swede and Casall. The pair claimed victories in Valkenswaard and Paris, as well as podium finishes at other stops on the circuit on what has been another incredible year for the LGCT. The world’s top show jumpers competed in a total of 15 events which kicked off in Miami Beach, USA back in April and also visited spectacular cities such as Mexico City, Monaco, Shanghai and Rome.

In the press conference following the Grand Prix, it was revealed that the prestigious final event of the LGCT will be staged at AL SHAQAB for the next three years. His Highness The Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani attended the final to witness the climax of the 2016 series, which was followed by the announcement of the new three-year agreement.

Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha
Result

1 Casall ASK Rolf-Göran Bengtsson Sweden 0 faults/ 36.44 seconds
2 First Class van Eeckelghem Daniel Deusser Germany 0/ 36.84
3 Fibonacci Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum Germany 0/ 37.26
4 Zeremonie Laura Kraut USA 0/ 37.7
5 Chadino Simon Delestre France 0/ 41.04
6 Goja Janne Friederike Meyer Germany 4/ 36.76
7 Taloubet Z Christian Ahlmann Germany 4/ 37.21
Longines Global Champions Tour 2016
Overall Final Standings: after leg 15 – Doha, Qatar

1. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson Sweden 283 points
2. Edwina Tops-Alexander Australia 267
3. Christian Ahlmann Germany 239
4. Simon Delestre France 236
5. Harrie Smolders The Netherlands 227
6. Bertram Allen Ireland 221
7. Ludger Beerbaum Germany 219
8. Kevin Staut France 211
9. Daniel Bluman Colombia 195
10. Marcus Ehning Germany 170