Sheikh Ahmed bin Noah Al Thani, Member, Higher Organising Committee Longines Hathab Sixth Edition, and Faisal bin Abdulhadi Al Marri, Assistant Tournament Director, with the winners of the Big Tour class of Longines Hathab opening round at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s Indoor Arena yesterday.
Doha: Mohammed Khalifa Albaker started his Big Tour title hunt with an impressive victory as the opening round of the Qatar Equestrian Tour - Longines Hathab – concluded at Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) Indoor Arena, yesterday.
Albaker, astride 15-year-old Verona, produced a flawless show throughout the two phases, registering times of 30.70 and 31.10 respectively to earn victory and the winner’s purse of QR15000 in the event.
Cyrine Cherif, who was riding I’am Moerhoeve’s Princess Z, claimed second position after clocking 31.37 and 31.57 without fault in both the phases. Finishing third was Faleh Suwead Al Ajami, who also had the perfect two phases with 12-year-old bay Ambre De Beaufour, registering times of 31.18 and 35.24.
Riding Serendipity, Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani was the other competitor yesterday to complete both the phases without fault as he clocked 30.76 and 37.36 to secure fourth position.
Nasser Al Ghazali on Quel Homme was fifth as four faults each in the two phases cost him after times of 31.39 and 31.02.
Meanwhile, Hussain Saeed Haidan – riding Viahipi D’auzay – clocked 53.49 after an error-free performance to win the Open Class title in the season-opening round.
Nasser Al Ghazali, astride 10-year-old Hurry Up, was second with a time of 54.26, while Cyrine Cherif and Brennus Villelongue combined to take third position after a faultless routine in 56.16.
The Future Riders competition saw Mohammed Abdulla Al Marri on Whistler taking the title after a perfect show in 47.04.
Kaltham Thani Al Sowaidi, who rode QEF-owned Latino 291, was also impressive completing the round in 46.56 with a flawless performance to take second position.
Abdulaziz Abdulla Alabri, riding Kashmir, was third in the event with a time of 48.29 after an error-free show.
The Longines Hathab season, which comprises 14 rounds to be held at the QEF Indoor Arena and the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, will continue until April 2023.
Meanwhile, President of Qatar Equestrian & Modern Pentathlon Federation Badr Muhammad Al Darwish has said calendar of local championships will go as planned despite the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which will be played from November 20 to December 18.
Speaking at the opening round of Qatar Equestrian Tour - Longines Hathab, Al Darwish said the equestrian season has started early this year so that the riders can get into the groove before the season takes a break during the World Cup.
He confirmed the HH The Amir's Equestrian Festival will be held in February 2023, in addition to the two annual international events organised at Al Shaqab, member Qatar Foundation.
Open Class | Table A, One round against the clock | 115/120cm | Prize Money QR25,000
1: Horse - Viahipi D'auzay, Rider - Hussain Saeed Haidan, Time/Faults - 53.49 (0)
2: Hurry Up - Nasser Al Ghazali, 54.26 (0)
3: Brennus Villelongue, Cyrine Cherif, 56.16 (0)
Future Riders | Optimum Time | Max. 80cm
1: Horse - Whistler, Rider - Mohammed Abdulla Al Marri, Time/Faults - 47.04 (0), Difference - 0.04
2: Latino 291 Kaltham Thani Al Sowaidi, 46.56 (0), 0.44
3: Kashmir Abdulaziz Abdulla Alabri, 48.29 (0), 1.29
Future Riders | Optimum Time | Max. 90cm
1: Horse - Leon Van't Prinsenveld, Rider - Noora Batti Al Nuaimi, Time/Faults 46.92 (0), Difference - 0.08
2: Wadi Rum D D H, Mariam Abdulkarim Abed, 47.35 (0), 0.35
3: Sita, Hadi Mansour Al Shahwani, 46.55 (0), 0.45
Big Tour | Table A, Special Two phases, Art. 274.2.5 | 130/140cm | Prize Money QR45,000
1: Horse - Verona, Rider - Mohammed Khalifa Albaker, Phase 1/Faults 30.70 Secs (0), 31.10 Secs (0)
2: I'am Moerhoeve's Princess Z, Cyrine Cherif, 31.37 (0), 31.57 (0)
3: Ambre De Beaufour, Faleh Suwead Al Ajami, 31.18 (0), 35.24 (0)
