DOHA: The region’s top show jumping series QNB Doha Tour will kick off with this week’s CHI Al Shaqab which starts today.
The four-day equestrian competition at Al Shaqab Arena will see top-ranking local, regional and international riders compete in Show Jumping CSI 5* and CSI 4*, Dressage CDI 5* and Para-Dressage for prizes worth QR5m.
“CHI Al Shaqab is a five-star event but the next two legs will be four-star meetings since we want to give ample rest to our riders and mainly the horses,” Hamad bin Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah, President of Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF).
“We will also have CSI2* competitions for young riders,” Al Attiyah said.
Al Attiyah said QEF will host the second leg from March 10-12 which will feature competitions in CSI2* and CSI4* classes.
The third and final event will take place at Katara where riders will compete in CSI2* and a CSI4* classes from March 24-26.
The QNB Doha Tour series trophy will be awarded to the overall champion who has won the most points over the three events.
“We are glad to get the support of QNB who have supported our events in the past. This is not the first time they have joined us in promoting the sport,” Al Attiyah said.
“QNB were with us last week also during the Emir’s Sword Meet,” Al Attiyah said.
“This is the third edition of Doha Tour. In previous years it was an event that attracted riders from the region. Now we have upgraded the event to an international series, throwing the gates open to international entries as well,” Al Attiyah said.
“With ranking points at stake, we will see a high level of competition among home riders and international entries,” Al Attiyah said.
The first event of the 2016 QNB Doha Tour will see Qatar’s Rio-bound squad of Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani, Ali Yousef Al Rumaihi, Khalid Al Emadi and Bassem Hassan Mohammed take to the playing field at Al Shaqab today with aims of getting quality practice ahead of the Olympic Games this year.
“We have been in training for the Olympic Games ever since we secured the Rio berth (February 2015). The next three events are of great importance to us,” Al Attiyah said.
“These events will not only help prepare our riders for the Olympic Games, but we also develop this great sport among our youth,” Al Attiyah said.
“We are going to set up a make-shift playing arena at Katara and that in itself is a major positive to get people interested in this amazing sport,” Al Attiyah said.
Salem Al Nuaimi, the General Manager of Banking Telecommunications, QNB Group, signed the sponsorship deal at QEF headquarters yesterday.
Al Nuami said: “Show jumping events are a very important part of Qatar sports calendar. We feel honoured to be part of this great sport.”
Al Naumi added: “Horse riding and racing is part of our heritage. We know QEF is working extremely hard to develop the sport of show jumping. The QNB Doha Tour comes after last week’s Emir’s Sword Meet. We wish the home riders the very best as they prepare for the Olympic Games.”
Qatar is widely considered as an emerging nation in the equestrian world, particularly in the sport of show jumping.
The QEF was established in 1979 and recognised by the International Equestrian Federation as the nation’s official governing body.
The Peninsula
