Carl Hester and his renowned partner Fame began their 2026 dressage season with a commanding double victory at the CHI Al Shaqab in Doha, winning both the CDI5* grand prix and freestyle with impressive scores of 75.85% and 82.98%, respectively. This marked Hester’s first return to Doha in 11 years, where he praised the relaxed atmosphere and sunny climate as an ideal start to the season. Fame’s consistent collected work, particularly in piaffe, passage, and pirouettes, earned high marks from judges, reflecting the pair’s strong preparation ahead of the upcoming World Championships.
Additionally, British para rider Sara Bates achieved a notable second place in the CPEDI3* grade IV freestyle with her horse Tango, riding to music from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Bates described the experience as a “dream come true,” finishing just behind the world number one, Kate Shoemaker. Hester plans to space out Fame’s competitions this year, focusing on quality performances rather than quantity, allowing him to enjoy the partnership with his 16-year-old stallion while targeting peak performances at major events.
