HH The Amir Sword International Equestrian Festival 2025 Day 2

Doha, Qatar: Emanuele Gaudiano, who had been earlier excelling in the Doha Tour rounds, continued his good form on Day 2 of the prestigious three-day H H The Amir Sword Festival at the magnificent Longines arena of Al Shaqab on an exciting Friday.

The Italian topped the CSI5* - Faults & Time - 1.50m showjumping class with aplomb astride grey gelding Chalou's Love PS to claim a big prize of €14,250. The duo clocked a flawless 66.85secs.

Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Alsharbatly astride bay stallion Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior finished a close second in 67.25secs, while Great Britain's Ellen Whitaker, riding bay mare Korlenski was third with a clear round of 67.53secs.

The winners were honoured by Sheikh Mohammed bin Fahad Al Thani, representing Doha Bank, and Sheikh Ahmad bin Nooh Al Thani, Secretary-General of Qatar Equestrian Federation and Member of the Organizing Committee.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Fahad Al Thani, representing Doha Bank, and Sheikh Ahmad bin Nooh Al Thani, Secretary-General of Qatar Equestrian Federation and Member of the Organising Committee, pose with the podium winner of the CSI5* - Faults & Time - 1.50m class on day two of the HH The Amir Sword Equestrian Festival at Al Shaqab yesterday. Emanuele Gaudiano won the event, with Abdullah Alsharbatly and Ellen Whitaker finishing second and third respectively.

The CSI5* - Faults & Time - 1.45m also saw close high-class competition with Jane Annett of Great Britain claiming the top podium prize with a best clear round in 68.54secs on chestnut mare Impala.

The CSI5* - Faults & Time - 1.45m class was won by Jane Annett of Great Britain.

Ukrainian Anastasia Bondarieva, who rode dark chestnut mare Virunga H Z, was second in 71secs while Millie Allen of Great Britain took the third podium spot after cocking 71.34secs with black mare E-Maitresse Tvh Z.

Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of SOCAST, awarded the winners.

Belgian Said wins CSI3*-W 1.50m class

The CSI3*-W - FEI World Cup - Two Rounds - 1.50m class was clinched by Belgian rider Abdel Said, who on his mount Arpege du RU, a chestnut mare, returned best and clear times of 80.45secs and 41.62secs respectively.

Belgian rider Abdel Said won the CSI3*-W - FEI World Cup - Two Rounds - 1.50m class astride Arpege du RU.

Germany's Janne F. Meyer-Zimmermann on chestnut mare Iron Dames High Level was second (80.48 & 43.50secs0, while Frenchman Antoine Ermann on bay gelding Odin Van 'T Hanegoor claimed the third podium place clocking 81.44 and 44.19secs respective two rounds.

Abdel Said was delighted with his triumph and said, "I so wanted do well in Qatar and I am very happy that I kept calm in the jump off and came out with the winning result."

He also praised the Festival's organization. "Everything is top class and the field has top class riders. Everything is good and challenges one to deliver their best. I also congratulate all the other winners."

Bastida sizzles in CSI3*

The day's opening CSI3*-W - Faults & Time - 1.40m class at the Longines outdoor arena saw Spaniard Mariano Martinez Bastida continue with his superb showjumping after the opening day as he claimed another title, this time astride bay stallion Quark de Preuilly Z. Bastida returned the best flawless time of 56.14secs. 

Kuwaiti rider Ali Al Khorafai on chestnut mare Karaat was second in 57.23secs while Portuguese Duarte Seabra, riding bay mare Geniale Star Kervec was third in 57.86secs.

Nasser Al Hajri, Sports Director of the event, awarded the podium winners.

Al Kaabi tops FEI qualifying class

Qatari rider Saif Mohammed Al Kaabi provided fans with more excitement as he won the CSIY-B - Special Two-Phase - 1.30m class which is a qualifier for International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Championship for Group 7 for the Youth.

Qatar’s Saif Mohammed Al Kaabi celebrates after winning the CSIY-B - Special Two-Phase - 1.30m class.

Al Kaabi combined with bay gelding Jethro Colado for flawless best routines of 49.29 and 31.16 in the two phases respectively.

Saudi Arabia's Abdulaziz Fahad Aleid on bay mare Miss Cooper was second (52.14 & 33.49secs) while Iranian Amirhossein Saberi Rad astride chestnut mare Bella Rouge third (47.46 & 31.38secs respectively).

Abdullah Al Qashouti, Director of Marketing & Communications for the event, honoured the podium winners.

Abdullah Al Qashouti, Director of Marketing & Communications for the event, honoured the podium winners of the CSIY-B - Special Two-Phase - 1.30m class.

Abdulla lights up indoor arena

At the Longines indoor arena of Al Shaqab, the upcoming Abdulla Tamim HK Al Thani showed his skills in fine style winning the CSI1* - Faults & Time - 1.10m class.

Abdulla rode grey mare Cassandra 352 with poise and precision returning the best flawless routine in 51.22secs.

Saudi Arabia's Fahad Alshammari on bay gelding Le Garde finished second with a time of 54.52secs while Qatar's Abdulla Talib MA Al Saaq, astride chestnut mare Sandro Girl, was third clocking 56.83secs.

Rashid Nasser Al Kaabi, President of the Organizing Committee, honoured the winners with their prizes.

Earlier, the CSI1* - Faults & Time - 1.25m class was topped by Saudi Arabia's Khaled Alhady, who on his mount Capoen, a bay gelding, clocked the best 56.22secs.

He was followed in second place by Qatar's Hamad Nasser Al Qadi astride bay mare Happy Tina (57.45secs), while Saudi Arabia's Fonoon Alhumaidan on bay gelding Underline des Marais was third (60.63secs).

Saud Al Rumaihi, Manager of Facilities and Logistics Support of the Organizing Committee, awarded the winners.

Hayfa stands out among Future Riders

The Future Riders' 80cm class saw Hayfa bint Hamad J Al Thani underline her riding skills as she rode Godette with authority to win registering the best flawless time of 58.09secs.

Winner of the Future Riders' 80cm class Hayfa bint Hamad J Al Thani poses with other top six finishers in the same class.

Jabr Mohanna N Al Nuaimi astride Roubignac Van was second (57.89secs), and Nasser Hamad Al Thani, riding Coco Chanel Sb, third (58.38secs). Swede rider Ferja Culpan astride Koncordia Ve was fourth (58.63secs), Khalifa Khalid M Al Naimi, who rode Firenze, fifth (58.78secs), and Saudi Arabia's Tamara Al Omran on Harold Loisel, sixth (57.20secs).

Ahmed Khaled Al Hemaidi, Legacy and Heritage Specialist at Al Shaqab, honoured the podium winners with their prizes.

Jassim Al Kuwari wins preliminary dressage

The Preliminary Freestyle dressage event under lights at the Longines indoor arena saw more Qatari riders excel as Jassim Mohamed J A Al Kuwari showed good composure and trotting with his mount Floyd to accumulate the best total score of 71.833 points.

Maryam Ahmad Al Boinin with Hutrine Vz claimed the second podium place with a total score of 71.283 points while the seasoned Wejdan Majed AM Al Malki, riding Imperioso CLXI, had to settle for the third place with a tally of 68.000 points.

Thrilling finale on final day

On the final day (Saturday), the action will begin with the CSI5* 145cm Against the Clock with Jump Off class and will be followed by 160cm class for the prestigious H H The Amir Sword. 

There will also be two rounds for the CSI3* (140-150cm), two rounds for CSI1* (115-130cm), in addition to a round for Future Riders (100cm), and a round for Youth category qualifying for the final of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Championship for Group Seven.

H H The Amir Sword International Equestrian Festival 2025 is organized by the Qatar Equestrian Federation, Al Shaqab, and the Qatar Olympic Committee.