March 1, 2025 
Abdel Saïd does not like to leave things to the last minute.
With each of the 16 legs of the Longines Global Champions Tour presenting a qualifying opportunity for the LGCT Super Grand Prix in November, Saïd, for the second year in a row, has taken full advantage of his first shot, winning the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha.
Al Shaqab, the exquisite venue in Doha, has been a phenomenal destination for Saïd, who rides for the British flag. In January at the same venue, he was second in a five-star grand prix. In February, he won the World Cup Qualifier.
Defending his LGCT title in Doha, Saïd has punched his ticket for the Super Grand Prix. But with 15 more stops across the globe, he has to stay in top form if he wants a shot at that title nine months from now.
It helps his case that he’s built up an incredibly reliable partner in Bonne Amie, a mare he’s been developing since 2022. A pair still on the rise, they’ve now doubled their number of grand prix wins to two and, if they can stay in form, are on track to a career best season with three podium finishes and over €200k in earnings just two months into 2025 (Jumpr stats).
Bonne Amie, the 12-year-old Estonian Sport Horse familiarly known as BonBon, has a big presence in the ring. She’s leggy, which Saïd admits he is not, especially when compared to second-place finisher Daniel Deusser of Germany.
“When I watched Daniel’s round I knew it would be tough. He has a little more outside leg than me, as you can see,” Saïd joked. “I really used her stride and she’s come so much along in the past year so I’m really happy with her.”
Deusser had the ride on Gangster v/h/ Noddevelt for second place, and Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman Alrajhi continued his string of consistent results with Ventago for a third-place finish.
Saïd gave a note of encouragement to the developing riders in his closing remarks, since he knows firsthand that wins like this don’t happen overnight.
“I’m super happy with Bonne Amie,” he noted. “I have been jumping her since she was nine years old, so I just want to tell the young riders that that’s how long it takes to combine well with your horse. They should be patient for the best results to come.”
Patience now paves the way for Saïd, who will get a shot at the major title in November.
