Under the dazzling Saudi night sky, where the glow of the King Khalid Financial District meets the desert horizon, Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson delivered a breathtaking victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour of Riyadh. The British star and his trusted partner edged out Germany’s Christian Kukuk and Chageorge by a mere 0.01 seconds in the CSI5* 1.50m Table A presented by KAFD — a finish so close it drew gasps from a packed crowd.
For Brash, the win was as emotional as it was electric. “Jefferson was super tonight — he really tried his heart out for me,” said the Olympic gold medallist, glowing with pride. “It was a tough class with plenty of fast clears, and I knew Christian was coming after me, so I had to take my chances. Luckily Jeff gave everything he had. I couldn’t be happier.”
The Night Riyadh Shined Bright
The Longines Global Champions Tour of Riyadh once again lived up to its reputation for spectacle and style. Thousands of fans filled the grandstands as the world’s top riders battled under floodlights, surrounded by Riyadh’s soaring skyline. Course designer Uliano Vezzani set a track that demanded sharp thinking and flawless execution.
The likes of Sophie Hinners, Simon Delestre, and Henrik von Eckermann each saw their chances slip away with the smallest of errors, proving how unforgiving world-class sport can be. Yet, for those who cleared the first round, the jump-off was a symphony of precision, risk, and heart.
A Jump-Off to Remember
Italy’s Emanuele Camilli and Chacareno PS opened the jump-off with daring speed, only to drop the last rail in heartbreak. Belgium’s Wilm Vermeir and Top Invest 313 Z then delivered a tidy clear, before Katrin Eckermann and her remarkable mare Chao Lee set a blistering new target.
Home favourite Khaled Almobty, urged on by deafening cheers, soared to a clear 0.34 seconds quicker — igniting the crowd’s roar. But the climax came when Kukuk and Chageorge nearly stole it, finishing just one-hundredth of a second slower than Brash’s masterclass of balance, bravery, and control.
Final Top Six – CSI5 1.50m Table A presented by KAFD*
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Scott Brash (GBR) & Hello Jefferson – 0 | 41.50
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Christian Kukuk (GER) & Chageorge – 0 | 41.51
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Jana Wargers (GER) & I Know – 0 | 42.28
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Khaled Almobty (KSA) & Spacecake – 0 | 42.81
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Jörne Sprehe (GER) & Toys – 0 | 42.84
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Katrin Eckermann (GER) & Chao Lee – 0 | 43.15
A Riyadh Night to Remember
As the lights reflected off the glass towers and the cheers echoed into the warm desert air, it was clear this was more than a win — it was a celebration of excellence and global sport.
The Longines Global Champions Tour of Riyadh now looks ahead to its spectacular finale — the LGCT Grand Prix of Riyadh, where the world’s best will chase one last piece of 2025 glory.
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