Egypt’s Sameh El Dahan feels the love after a breathtaking victory in the Grand Prix of Paris – tenth leg in the Longines Global Champions Tour ©LGCT

Egypt’s Sameh El Dahan  was given a standing ovation as he celebrated a breathtaking victory in the Grand Prix of Paris – tenth leg in the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Grand Prix of Paris.

The young Egyptian and his mare turned the tables on the heavyweights of show jumping, triumphing against 10 world-class riders in an electrifying jump off on the spectacular stage of the Champs de Mars, next to the Eiffel Tower.

Bertram Allen of Ireland, on Molly Malone V, was second and Harrie Smolders of The Netherlands, on his powerful stallion Don VHP Z, was third.

"I can’t explain my emotions," said El Dahan. 

"My mare tried her heart out. 

"I am loving the crowds, everyone was behind us. 

"I am so chuffed it hasn’t really sunk in yet."

Sameh is now the tenth rider to qualify for the LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Playoffs in Prague in December as he joins a start list including Peder Fredricson of Sweden, Britain’s Ben Maher and Scott Brash, and Edwina Tops-Alexander of Austria.

The result shook up the overall series ranking with Maher moving into the overall lead at the expense of  Tops-Alexander, riding California, with Smolders moving up into third place.

The LGCT Grand Prix played out on one of the most iconic stages for show jumping and the competition was as hot as the temperature.

First in the ring for the jump off, Allen pumped the air as he finished clear in 36.86sec, throwing down the gauntlet to the rest of the pack.

Smolders and Don VHP Z pulled off a super tight turn after the vertical to the double combination to finish in 37.06, taking third place.

Tops-Alexander’s uncharacteristic 8 faults on California impacted her ranking lead and when Maher went clear on Explosion W, finishing in 37.71, it was enough for him to take the overall series lead.

Bertram was still in the lead on the night and watching on nervously with younger brother Harry as Olivier Philippaerts and H&M Legend of Love took the first part of the Longines double at an angle and clocked up four faults.

Sameh, the penultimate rider, was fast from the start producing the round of his life on his 14-year-old chestnut mare Suma’s Zorro, co-owned with Joanne Sloan-Allen, flowing perfectly round the course to stop the clock in a winning 36.32

Last to go Peder Fredricson - a major threat. 

But with four faults at the Renault fence, Sameh was home and dry.