November 22, 2025 
In a sport where riders race to the finish line and hundredths of a second can mean the difference in tens of thousands in prize money, Abdel Saïd’s LGCT Super Grand Prix win in Prague was a slow climb to the top of the podium. And a nerve wracking one at that.
Saïd was of 11 clears in the first round aboard his veteran partner Bonne Amie, the same mare that helped him capture back-to-back LGCT Grand Prix wins in Doha in 2024 and 2025 to qualify for the LGCT’s season end championship.
Sixth to return for the second round against the clock, risk was his only option. With on-fire Harrie Smolders and Monaco, Gerrit Nieberg and the snappy Ping Pong van de Lentamel, Scott Brash and speedy Hello Chadora Lady and a determined Simon Delestre on Cayman Jolly Jumper, Saïd knew the threat coming behind him.
And risk it he did. The Belgian rider and 12-year-old ESHB mare (A Big Boy x Landfriese I) lay down a blistering track, stopping the clock at 62.43 seconds and setting the new standard. But they dropped a rail too, leaving the door wide open to any clear round.
All that was left to do was wait.
Seven more pairs took to the O2 Arena. Smolders and Monaco dropped a rail in a steady 66.4, moving Saïd one spot up the leaderboard.
Thibault Philippaerts dropped four poles and Anastasia Nielsen retired, bumping him up two more.
Kukuk and Nieberg each faulted at the double and Kukuk once more after it. Suddenly, Saïd was in podium contention.
And he just kept climbing.
A run out put paid to Emanuele Camilli’s bid. Brash and Hello Chadora Lady tied on faults but were over three tenths of a second slower through the timers.
Then came the last: Delestre on Cayman Jolly Jumper.
The Frenchman riding for redemption after Thursday’s shock disqualification in the GCL Super Cup due to a chinstrap malfunction.
And he came close.
An early rail in the triple forced Delestre to put the pedal to the medal. He raced through the timers, stole a glance at the scoreboard and…grimaced in defeat. By the smallest of margins. A mere two hundredths of a second too slow.
Cut to an ecstatic Saïd in a back thumping embrace in the warmup ring.
“It’s unbelievable, I am still trying to take it in—I am very proud of my horse,” said an emotional Saïd.
“I am annoyed with myself because that is how we are… we criticize the small thing that went wrong. But she’s a big lady to go fast in an indoor arena. In my heart I knew it was a long shot to win with so many good horses and riders to follow. I certainly didn’t expect to win the LGCT Super Grand Prix in Prague.”
The Prague Playoffs culminate Sunday with the GCL Super Cup Final.
