Brilliant Brash scores a high-octane double on the Longines Global Champions Tour of Saudi Arabia
Monday 03 November 2025
Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson produced a performance of pure brilliance to claim victory in the CSI5* 1.50m Table A presented by KAFD beating Christian Kukuk by the narrowest of margins beneath the glittering Saudi night sky in Riyadh, where glass towers meet desert sky.
It was an evening that captured everything the Longines Global Champions Tour of Riyadh stands for - world-class sport, modern elegance, and atmosphere to remember. The scene was magnetic as thousands packed the grandstands, their excitement building as 40 of the world’s best combinations entered the floodlit arena.
Speaking after his win, Brash said: “Jefferson was super tonight, really tried his heart out for me. It was a super tough class with a lot of clears and I knew the likes of Christian were to follow so really had to put it all on the line. Luckily Jeff is super quick and thankfully he put his nose out that little bit further. Very happy to win it!”
From the very first fence, Uliano Vezzani’s course demanded precision and nerve. Rails fell for some of the sport’s biggest names, keeping the jump-off exclusive and hard-earned. Sophie Hinners and Combella for the Iron Dames, Simon Delestre and Gatsby du Tillard, Henrik von Eckermann and Glamour Girl - all brilliant, all denied by a single mistake. It wasn’t to be for veterans John Whitaker and Sharid or Pieter Devos aboard Jarina J and Denis Lynch with Brooklyn Heights who all retired waiting to fight another day.
Those who made it through were treated to a jump-off that had every fan on their feet. Cheers, whistles and whoops echoed through the night as the contest unfolded. The lead changed hands several times as riders dared more and more in the 16-horse decider and the tension rose to dizzying heights.
Scott and Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s 16-year-old Jefferson produced a masterclass - bold in the turns, perfectly balanced, and fearless to the last to flash into the lead. But German rival Christian Kukuk was still to make his bid and his lightning-fast round on Chageorge looked set to seize the win. However, despite the supreme effort, he crossed the line 0.01 seconds behind Scott – and handed over a British win in an electric jump-off.
Scott also topped the first of the Global Champions League 1.55m speed with the dynamic 10-year-old mare Hello Folie (Luidam x Diamante De Semilly), holding off 42 challenges by 0.70 seconds over a 13-fence, 16-effort – including a treble combination – 1.55m speed track.
Ben Maher picks up second place in Equita Lyon’s Longines Grand Prix with Enjeu De Grisien
Ben Maher slotted Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s Enjeu De Grisien into second place in the Longines Grand Prix at Equita Lyon in France.
Ten of the 49 starters mastered course designer Gregory Bodo’s 13-fence, 16-effort 5* 1.60m track but only nine returned to battle it out against the clock. Reigning European champion, Germany’s Richard Vogel, set a sizzling target from mid draw on the nine-year-old Gangster Montdesir which proved unbeatable. Ben gave it a good shot and proved the closest rival with the Toulon x Andiamo 11-year-old, finishing 0.95 seconds in arrears.
Ella Spencer posted a double clear in the seven-pony decider of the FEI Jumping Ponies’ 1.35m Grand Prix to take third on Gilton Des Islots almost two seconds off the winning time.
James Smith is a double winner at MET in Spain
James Smith hit winning form on the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (MET) in Oliva Nova, Spain, with a victory double.
James got the week off to a flying start as he led a British top three in the Gold 1.45m Grand Prix qualifier with Astrade Z. Twenty-seven riders contended the 12-fence, 14-effort speed track designed by Gerard Lachat with James skilfully easing the Air Jordan Alpha Z x Indoctro eight-year-old mare into victory by 0.77 seconds. Chris Smith steered the 13-year-old Chacco-Blue stallion Chagolou into second with Keira Stoute filling third on KI Germaine W.
Speed aficionado James also claimed the top spot in the Silver 1.40m speed with the 14-year-old Eagele Z (Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Ramiro Z), beating their 43 rivals by 0.70 seconds, while James was only half a second off the pace in a 48-entry Gold 1.40m two-phase with Tayvale Hunky Dory.
Chris Smith was a Gold 1.40m winner as a British whitewash filled the top five places. Chirs headed this 37-horse speed class with 1.72 seconds in hand on the nine-year-old mare Ashdale Allstar (Big Star x Luidam). James claimed second on Tayvale Hunky Dory with Poppy Stronge’s Jersey S in third, Sammie Jo Coffin jumped Chaccomo Blue into fourth and Bethanie Knight filled fifth with Mr Thunder.
Brits also registered wins in the supporting classes – Nathan Bull proved victorious in a 63-horse Gold 1.35m speed on the 13-year-old Milton Van Vrijhern, Lorraine Lock won an early 64-strong Silver 1.35m speed with the 12-year-old Artisan, Tom Plaster topped a Gold 1.30m speed with the 15-year-old Pjakkur S, Charlotte Walker doubled up with a Bronze 1.30m win on the Harley eight-year-old Masterpiece F and a Six-year-old 1.25m on Lupistar EA (Starmaker x Lupicor) and Alfie Bradstock returned triumphant in a 49-entry Five-year-old two-phase on the Dakar VDL sired Prime Time ZL.
Laura Renwick is on winning form in Valencia
Laura Renwick notched up a hat-trick of wins in Valencia, Spain, with her team of horses.
If Evers Girl came up trumps for Laura on the final day’s 3*1.45m speed, the nine-year-old If Ever III x Arko III mare enthusiastically answering every question to storm home with 3.41 seconds in hand. Chloe Winchester steered Exited Z into third in the 39-horse class.
Cottee doubled up for Laura, with a win in an early 3* 1.40m speed, the home-bred Asterix E Z x Couleur Rubin 11-year-old beating their 28 rivals by more than two seconds, pushing Tom Harrison’s Oldtown Emerald Isle into second. The pair maintained their form on the final day, topping the 31-strong 3* 1.35m speed with an impressive 3.41 seconds to spare.
Laura guided her 4* Bolesworth International Grand Prix winner Marseille into second in the 3* 1.40m. Only seven of the original entry of 46 qualified for the jump-off, Laura and Neil Fiddes’ eight-year-old Marseille (Toulon x Otangelo) slotting into the runner-up spot 2.25 seconds off the winning time set by France’s Julien Anquetin and Kornet Chavannais.
Brits were victorious in the supporting classes – Nicole Pavitt also claimed three wins, a Five-year-old double on the Contagionx Stakkatol stallion Colkato NB and the concluding 1* 1.30m aboard the seven-year-old stallion Quando Z. Chloe Winchester jumped to the top in a 3* 1.30m on the nine-year-old Casablanca OS (Diamant De Semilly x Crown Z), Fraser Reed claimed a 3* 1.30m with 12-year-old mare Loughan Special and Tom Harrison headed an early Six-year-old riding Ti-Amo Van’t Elshout.
Joe Whitaker is in the money on the Spanish Sunshine Tour
Joe Whitaker picked up useful places and world ranking points in the major classes at Vejer de la Frontera with Hulahupe JR.
The pair jumped into third in an early 80-strong 4* Karlswood Trophy 1.50m, Joe guiding the VDL Bubalu x Indoctro 13-year-old economically around course-designer Javier Trenor’s 12-fence speed track to finish just 0.28 seconds off the winning time.
They kept up their clear round form to finish fifth in the feature 4* Andalucia 1.55m Grand Prix in a strong 14-horse jump-off to finish 1.18 seconds behind the winner, Brazil’s Pedro Veniss on Nimrod De Muze Imperio Egipcio. Rebecca Marsh was close behind for sixth on Stevie G.
Image: Longines Global Champions Tour
