Achraf Oualla in action during the ninth round of the Hathab Series at the Al Shaqab Outdoor Arena yesterday.
Doha: Achraf Oualla yesterday sealed major honours in the Medium Tour of the Hathab Series with a brilliant ride on Dino Bb Z at the Al Shaqab Outdoor Arena yesterday.
The ninth round of the national show jumping series is being held on the sidelines of the CHI Al Shaqab.
Oualla completed the round astride his eight-year old stallion in 48.47 seconds to win the top prize of QR5,000 in the event which saw 45 entries in contest.
Popular Qatari rider Jaber Rashid Al Amri in the saddle of Canavaro de Muze (E.T.) completed the same task in 49.77 secs to win QR4,000 in prize money.
Another popular name in the local equestrian scene, Saeed Nasser Al Qadi, guided, Daydreamer EC to clear the hurdles in 49.99 secs. The performance earned Al Qadi and his Qatar Equestrian Federation-owned gelding the third place and a prize cheque of QR3,000
Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi guided Vivaldi K to complete the task in 51.20 and won QR2,000 after finishing fourth ahead of Khalid Hamad Al Attiya, who completed the top five astride Viking D. Al Attiya got richer by QR1,400 after yesterday’s ride. Earlier, in the Small Tour (F&T – 1.00/1.15m) competition, the top five saw four Qatari riders among them. Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi, who guided Fudine in a flawless routine, completed the routine in 60.26 secs to grab the top prize of QR2,500 at the state-of-the-art venue.
Ziezo, with Mohammed Saeed Haidan in the saddle, spent a time of 62.20 secs to complete the same task, and was placed second in the competition which saw 50 entries.
Popular rider Nasser Al Ghazali, on What A Pleasure, was slightly slower than Haidan (62.53) but made it to the podium after his error-free ride yesterday. Haidan and Al Ghazali were awarded QR2,000 and QR1,500 respectively.
Mohammed Nasser Al Qadi missed the podium spot on Vlacido (63.59 secs) but finished fourth and won QR1,000. Hamad Al Otaibi who guided Jalieny Diamant Z, to complete the top five and won QR700 after a ride that lasted for 66.94 secs.
Today is the final day of the ninth round of the seven-month long show jumping and dressage series launched by the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani.
Today’s two events, the Open Class (2Ph - 1.15 / 1.25m) will kick off at 9.00am, followed by the Big Tour (JO - 1.30 / 1.45m) which begins at 11.30am.
