Doha, Qatar, – British rider Harry Charles clinched the CSI4* Grand Prix title at the H.H. The Father Amir’s Prix in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday following an impressive jump-off performance.
The H.H. The Father Amir’s Prix 2026 concluded today at Al Shaqab as Tour 1 wraps up its opening weekend, delivering a full programme of CSI1*, CSI2* and CSI4* competition as part of the Doha Equestrian Tour (DET) 2026.
Running from 2–4 January, Tour 1 offered a total prize fund of €538,000. Across the full four-tour H.H. The Father Amir’s Prix series, prize money totals €3,303,000, bringing international and regional riders together at one of Qatar’s leading equestrian venues.
Day 3 featured competition across two arenas, including: CSI2* 135 cm (Table C), CSI2* 130 cm (Faults & Time), CSI4* 145 cm (Special Two-Phase), CSI1* 115 cm (Faults & Time), CSI1* 130 cm Grand Prix (Jump-Off), CSI2* 145 cm Grand Prix (Jump-Off), and the CSI4* 155 cm Grand Prix (Jump-Off) as the day’s feature class.
The final day delivered a strong close to Tour 1, with riders contesting technical courses and fast-paced formats across CSI1*, CSI2* and CSI4* levels. The day’s programme was built toward the 3 Grand Prix, one per category, with the Jump-Off creating excitement in the crowd. The highlight was the CSI4* 155 cm Grand Prix with Jump-Off as the main competition of the Tour’s closing day.
How the action happened on Day Three
Sunday’s Grand Prix saw 33 horse-and-rider combinations line up for the challenge at Longines Arena of Al Shaqab.
Six pairs delivered a clear in the first round, but when Neal Fearon (IRL) and Cocktail de Talma (Baloubet du Rouet x Dobel’s Cento) withdrew from the jump-off, the battle was left between five horse-and-rider combinations; Ines Joly (FRA) on Crack d’Aiguilly Z (Comme II Faut 5 x Nabab de Reve), Anastasia Nielsen (MON) with ESI Rocky (Stakkato Gold x For Pleasure), Janakabhorn Karunayadhaj (THA) on Maxwin Kinmar Bespoke (O-Piloth x Aganix du Seigneur), Charles (GBR) and Casquo Blue (Chacco-Blue x Carthago Z) as well as Brash (GBR) aboard Hello Folie (Luidam x Diamant de Semilly).
In the end, it was Charles and Casquo Blue that were unbeatable with their time. They produced a double-clear round with a winning jump-off time of 38.20 seconds, narrowly beating compatriot Scott Brash who finished his round in 38.48 seconds riding Hello Folie. Thailand’s Janakabhorn Karunayadhaj secured third place in 40.14 seconds on Maxwin.
Charles, a member of Great Britain’s gold medal-winning team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, expressed satisfaction with the victory as a strong start to the season.
“It’s a fantastic way to start the year. Winning the first Grand Prix of the season and achieving our first Grand Prix victory together makes it very special. The course was well designed and challenging, with the time allowed encouraging riders to take risks in the jump-off. It came down to very fine margins, and I’m extremely pleased to come out on top in such a competitive field,” said Charles, winner of the CSI4* 1.55m Grand Prix Jump-Off.
The win on the 16-year-old gelding Casquo Blue was significant, as the rider considers the horse an “unsung hero” for his consistent performances.
In the other events of the day, Britain also dominated the CSI2* Grand Prix, with Oliver Fletcher claiming top honours in the 1.45m jump-off class. Fletcher guided Cajus 42 to victory in 33.59 seconds after 14 combinations progressed to the jump-off, edging out Millie Allen and Quick Diamant HR (34.02). Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt finished third aboard Callao L in 34.74 seconds.
Italian rider Emanuele Gaudiano enjoyed a productive day at Al Shaqab, securing victory in the CSI4* Special Two-Phase (1.45m) with Vasco 118 in a time of 31.12 seconds. Fellow Italian Roberto Previtali followed in second with Chaquano PS, while Millie Allen placed third on Quickly D vh Ijzerenlindehof. Gaudiano also topped the CSI2* Table C (1.35m) aboard Chabrello PS, ahead of Jordan’s Ibrahim Hani Bisharat and Italy’s Previtali.
Qatari riders featured prominently in the lower categories, with Faris Saad AH Al Qahtani winning the CSI2* Faults and Time (1.30m) on Cavallina 13, and Hussain Said Haidan claiming the CSI1* Grand Prix after a jump-off aboard D Saucedo. Saad Ahmed al-Saad and Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi completed the all-Qatari podium in that class.
The HH The Father Amir’s Prix continues with Tour 2 from January 8-10 at Al Shaqab as part of the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026.
Looking ahead, the season builds towards HH The Amir’s Sword (February 11-14), Qatar’s most prestigious equestrian festival, which will feature elite competition across multiple international classes and a total prize fund of €2,079,000.
The event is organised by the Qatar Equestrian Federation, Al Shaqab and the Qatar Olympic Committee.
Key results – Day 3 (official)
CSI4* Grand Prix – Jump-Off (1.55m) | Winner: Harry Charles (GBR) – Casquo Blue | 0 penalties | 81.22 (Round 1) / 38.20 (Jump-Off) | Prize: €60,000
CSI2* Grand Prix – Jump-Off (1.45m) | Winner: Oliver Fletcher (GBR) – Cajus 42 | 0 penalties | 80.93 (Round 1) / 33.59 (Jump-Off) | Prize: €9,600
CSI4* Special Two-Phase (1.45m) | Winner: Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) – Vasco 118 | 0 penalties | 42.79 (Phase I) / 31.12 (Phase II) | Prize: €7,250
CSI2* Table C (1.35m) | Winner: Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) – Chabrello PS | 66.71 | Prize: €2,000
CSI2* Faults & Time (1.30m) | Winner: Faris Saad A H Al Qahtani (QAT) – Cavallina 13 | 0 penalties | 56.65 | Prize: €1,250
CSI1* Grand Prix – Jump-Off (1.30m) | Winner: Hussain Said A M Haidan (QAT) – D Saucedo | 0 penalties | 70.59 (Round 1) / 32.36 (Jump-Off) | Prize: €2,500
CSI1* Faults & Time (1.15m) | Winner: Abdul Aziz Jassim A J Al Thani (QAT) – Gabbana M | 0 penalties | 49.21 | Prize: €1,250
Harry Charles jumped to victory with the 16-year-old Casquo Blue. President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Chairman of the Doha Equestrian Tour Organising Committee, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned the winners
President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Chairman of the Doha Equestrian Tour Organising Committee, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani
Harry Charles jumped to victory with the 16-year-old Casquo Blue. President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Chairman of the Doha Equestrian Tour Organising Committee, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned the winners
Harry Charles jumped to victory with the 16-year-old Casquo Blue. President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Chairman of the Doha Equestrian Tour Organising Committee, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned the winners
CSI4* Special Two-Phase 1.45m podium winners seen along with Abdullah Al Qashouti, Director of Marketing and Communications, who crowned the winners at the podium ceremony. Italian rider Emanuele Gaudiano won with Vasco 118 in a time of 31.12 seconds. Fellow Italian Roberto Previtali followed in second with Chaquano PS, while Millie Allen of Great Britian placed third on Quickly D vh Ijzerenlindehof.
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