Double podium for Shaikh Hassan at GCT Vienna Masters

Manama, Oct. 1 (BNA): Bahrains’ very own Shaikh Hassan bin Rashid Al Khalifa raced his explosive speed horse HBR Urano and wowed the crowd of the GCT Vienna Masters as he snatched a third place podium finish in the stunning setting of the Rathaus City Hall in the center of the historic city of Vienna. Shaikh Hassan made the challengingFrank Rothenbergerdesigned course look easy as he cleared the jumps safely and finished well within the time allowed toqualify for the final speed round. The Bahraini show jumping team captain guided his ever-dependable jumping partnerHBR Uranoaround the jump off course in a time of 35.86, whichsecured themtheir second trip to the podium during the action packed GCT competition. The combinationgrabbed their first podium of the weekend when they finished 4th in the opening round ‘speed stakes’ of the bronze tour of the Vienna Masters. Shaikh Hassan and HBR Uranoentertained the excited crowd throughout the weekend with their aggressive style, speed, and agility as they dipped and turned their way toa successful double podium weekend for the red and white national colors. The Longines Global Champions Tour brings together the Top 30 ranked show jumpers in the world to compete in prestigious locations for unprecedented prize money. The 15 event Tour offers some of the most explosive and exciting competition of any equestrian series and is regarded as the F1 of equestrian sport. Shaikh Hassan, who is the highest ranked Bahraini rider on the Longines World Ranking list, secured his stamp as being the nations number one ranked rider with his faultless performance at the Masters and had this to say: ‘Double podium at the GCT Vienna Masters is a result that will be hard to top and one that I will never forget. I’ve been very successful at the GCT events. I got world-ranking points in GCT London earlier this year. I’ve placed in almost every single GCT event I have competed in over the years. So I’m glad the trend continues. My horse HBRUrano jumped unbelievably well; he didn’t drop a pole throughout the whole weekend. He’s a real fighter and always gives me his best. I’d like to thank my team HBR Equestrian for getting me and my horse to Vienna in good form. I willnow prepare for the GCT season final in Doha, which will be a spectacular season finale in the Al ShaqabEquestrian Stadium. I’d like to thank my sponsors for their continued support in helping me compete and represent Bahrain at the highest level of my sport’. Shaikh Hassan is based in London for the summer where he trains with former world number one and current Olympic gold medalist Ben Maher. The Bahraini number one will soon be moving his horses to the UAE where he will be based for the winter season and will compete in the Longines World Cup Qualifiers. Shaikh Hassan thanked Chairman of BREEF, Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid AL Khalifa, President of the show jumping committee Shaikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, and everyone at BREEF for their continued support.