Hamad Nasser Al Qadi guides Andreas SPB Z over a fence.
Former Longines Hathab Equestrian Tour Big Tour champion Hamad Nasser Al Qadi enjoyed an error-free ride astride Andreas SPB Z to clinch victory on the penultimate day of the season as he geared up for today’s showdown in style.
Hamad, the winner of the premier class in 2022 and the brother of the current points leader Saeed Nasser Al Qadi, sealed yesterday’s top prize when he clinched the win in 86.27 Secs astride his 14-year-old bay stallion at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab.
Verona, with Mohammed Khalifa Albaker in the saddle, conceded four errors during his round, but managed to finish second after clocking a time of 81.25 secs. Faleh Suwead Al Ajami and Larko Denfer was the fastest among the top 3 with a time of 79.41 secs, but the Sheikh Abdulla bin Nasser Al Thani-owned nine-year-old gelding made eight faults during the round.
Interestingly, title-contender Saeed and his 21-year-old gelding Ulano were eliminated from yesterday’s competition.
Hamad and Saeed are heading into the showdown in the 14th and final round of fifth season of the hugely popular series - jointly conducted by the Qatar Equestrian Federation and Al Shaqab.
Former overall Big Tour champion Saeed leads the tally with 246 points after 13 rounds while Hamad trails by just eight points.
Earlier, in the Medium Tour, Championship leader Rashid Towaim Al Marri guided Navaronne in a perfect routine for a brilliant win. Al Marri who leads the Medium Tour standings with 251 points with one more round to go, yesterday clinched the victory with the Qatar Equestrian Federation-owned bay mare in 72.79 seconds. Goliat, with Khalid Sanad Al Nuaimi in the saddle, came second in 74.18 secs while Abdulrahman Eisa Al Bukhari and Irschi completed the podium after clocking a time of 74.20 secs.
Yesterday’s QR10,000 Small Tour class saw Sheikha Fatima Jabor Al Thani emerging at the top of a highly competitive field of 50 entries.
She guided her 13-year-old gelding Eddie in a flawless ride as she clocked an impressive time of 64.99 secs. Ivar, ridden by Saoud Mohammed Al Kuwari, came second in 67.77 secs while Higgs and Sultan Salem Al Naemi finished third in 68.71 secs.
Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour’s Higher Organising Committee Vice-President and Commercial Director of Al Shaqab Omar Al Mannai and the Secretary-General of QEF the Qatar Equestrian Federation and Modern Pentathlon and Director of Longines Tours Ali Yousef Al Rumaihi presented the trophies to the podium winners.
