DOHA: Germany’s Janne Meyer-Zimmermann delivered a stellar performance aboard her bay gelding, Messi Van ‘T Ruytershof, clinching the prestigious CSI5* Grand Prix Jump-Off 1.60m title as HH Amir Sword Festival 2025 concluded with an exhilarating finale at Al Shaqab on Saturday.
A determined Meyer-Zimmermann showed superb composure astride bay gelding Messi Van ‘T Ruytershof and finished a flawless Jump Off routine in fastest 42.45secs.
Her first routine was a flawless 78.39secs. The grand victory also fetched her a prize of €81,250. Khaled Almobty of Saudi Arabia had to settle for the second place, finishing behind close in 42.91secs in the Jump-Off while France’s Antoine Ermann was third in 45.50secs.
Meyer-Zimmermann expressed immense pride in her horse’s performance, highlighting the significance of this victory as her first five-star win of the year. She noted that the triumph sets a positive tone for upcoming events, demonstrating their excellent form.
“I am super proud and I am really happy how my horse performed. It was a really important for me and I took my best horse and I am super proud how he jumped,” Meyer-Zimmermann said after her triumph. “It’s my first five-star win of the year and there are lots of events coming up so it’s very good for us to show that we are in good shape,” she added.
The festival spanned three days of top-tier equestrian competitions, showcasing remarkable skill, speed, and precision from riders worldwide.
Al Shaqab, renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities, provided a magnificent backdrop for this prestigious event, further solidifying Qatar’s status as a premier destination for international equestrian sports.
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