DOHA: Gender produced a superb routine as Qatar’s top jumper Ali Yousef Al Romaihi won the Grand Prix of Doha Tour title on the final day of the two-phase event at the Outdoor Arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) yesterday.
Yousef, who picked up the top prize of QR 50,000 for his effort, was ecstatic with his performance.
“I am thrilled with this victory,” Yousef said afterwards. “This kind of championship is very useful as we get to compete against the GCC riders as well as some international riders.”
“We are glad that the Doha Tour will be held in stages in three rounds from next year. It will also be an international championship.
“It will be more exciting and the exposure for our riders will be very good. They can develop into top-class jumpers as they progress up the ranks,” he said.
Yousef clocked a time of 79.79, which qualified the champion rider for the jump-off.
The Qatari rider was confidence personified as he ventured into the jump-off and completed a clear round in an unbeatable time of 31.20 seconds.
Khalid Al Emadi astride Tamira came second, completing the round in 31.73 seconds. Abdullah Sherbastil on Sacramento (33.76 seconds) secured third place.
Al Emadi collected QR 40,000 while Abdullah went home richer by QR 30,000.
Earlier in the day, Qatar’s Saeed Nasser Al Qadi astride Jessico 4 claimed first place in the Accumulator With Joker Class 5 120/125cm competition.
Lekhwiya’s Saeed clocked a time of 50.28 with a clear round ahead of Qatar’s Ali Yousef Al Malki on Diamond Delma (51.88) and Ahmed Mohammed Al Badi astride Antine Drumes (54.33).
In the Team Competition One Round Against The Clock Class 6 130/135cm event , Qatar’s ace jumper Ali Yousef Al Romaihi (California), Mohammed Saeed Haidan (Kingdom Come) and Salem Rashid Al Marri (Marfurlong Magic) produced a well-deserving win.
The quartet won QR 27,000 for their efforts.
The second place and prize money of QR 22,000 went to the team comprising Ali Jassim Al Khurafi (Angaren 4), Daniel Chiecchi (Dynamic Diablo) and Rashid Twaim Al Marri (Kannada).
Abdulrahman Nasaer (Cassandra), Bader Mohammed Alfard (Cover Girl G) clinched third place and prize money of QR 18,000.
The series now moves to Al Shaqab on April 17 and 18, the QEF said.
The QEF plans to add another stop and take the event either to Aspire or Katara from next season and unveil the series as an international event.
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