Podium for Shaikh Hassan in GCT Cannes

Paris, June 15 (BNA): Bahrain’s number one show jumper and team captain, Sh Hassan bin Rashid Al Khalifa, claimed a podium finish for the Kingdom in the stunning backdrop of Cannes France in the 8th leg of the 2016 Global Champions Tour (GCT). Riding his own, HBR Radio Saint Clair, Sh Hassan was one of 13 riders to clear the first round of the medium tour final set by world-class course designer, Uliano Vezzani. The Bahrain team captain gave it his all in the nail-biting jump off, finishing clear and in a time of 37.36. It was a hard-fought finish to the final which took place in the Stade Des Hesperides in Cannes, only 50m from the world-famous La Croisette and super-yachts moored at this glamorous location on the French Riviera as the top 6 riders finished within a second of each other. The class was won by Belgium international Ignas Philips who finished the jump off clear and in a time of 36.27. Sh Hassan, Bahrain’s highest ranked rider on the Longines World Ranking list has represented Bahrain on the tour for several years and amassed a good winning record over the years in this world-class event. Sh Hassan said: ‘The GCT events always bring the best out of me. I love coming to GCT events as you compete in the best locations around the world, against the best riders in the world, and in the best facilities in the world. It’s a dream like atmosphere. I’m very Happy to do it again. My mare never competed on this circuit, but she got us a podium on her first go. She’s a super star, and she knows it. I hope to do a few more GCT’s this year and hopefully finish on top of the podium and have our National anthem played in celebration. I was very happy to see some Bahraini fans at the event that flew all the way out there to give me some support. I dedicate this win to them and all the Bahraini show jumping community. I would like to thank everyone at BREEF and my sponsors for all the support they have given me. I will continue to train hard and do my best to win as many competitions for Bahrain.