Belgian rider Devos wins as Global Champions Tour debuts in Cairo

CAIRO, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Belgian rider Pieter Devos won the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cairo on Saturday, bringing the international show-jumping circuit's first Egyptian leg to a close against the backdrop of the Great Pyramids of Giza.

First-placed Pieter Devos (C) of Belgium, second-placed Olivier Philippaerts (L) of Belgium and third-placed Ben Maher of Britain pose for a group photo during the awarding ceremony for the CSI5 1.60m competition of the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cairo at the Great Pyramids, Giza, Egypt on Oct. 24, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

Riding his homebred mare Casual DV Z, Devos completed a clear jump-off round in 45.85 seconds to win the 1.60-meter Grand Prix and claim the 1 million euro prize. His compatriot Olivier Philippaerts finished second on Hipster SV, while Britain's Ben Maher took third aboard Point Break.

Large crowds gathered over the three-day event to watch the competition, as horses and riders lined up for their turns in the arena with the pyramids rising behind the course.

For Devos, the victory carried personal significance. Casual DV Z had previously secured several podium finishes in five-star Grand Prix competitions but had yet to claim a win.

"She's just something very exceptional," Devos told Xinhua. "We made the first-ever show in Cairo...it is the first Grand Prix win for my horse, so with Casual, we are very happy today."

Devos said he had been surprised by the number of fans who came to watch and praised the organizers for providing good conditions for horses and riders. He described the event as a promising start for future editions and said he would return.

Hosting the tour for the first time also gave Egypt an opportunity to showcase its historic landmarks and equestrian sport to an international audience, said Hany Magdy, spokesperson for the Egyptian Equestrian Federation.

Magdy said Egypt had secured an agreement to host the five-star championship annually for the next five years, with competitions planned in different locations across the country.

Aya Mohamed, a 26-year-old from Cairo who works in real estate sales, followed the competition for all three days. She has long loved horses and dreamed of becoming a rider, but never managed to turn that dream into reality.

She welcomed the championship's arrival in Egypt and said she looked forward to seeing it return in the coming years.

"I'm very proud that Egypt is hosting such a prestigious championship, and I'm happy that we'll have the chance to watch it here in the coming years," she told Xinhua.