By Rizwan Rehmat
DOHA: Ali Yousef Al Rumaihi, a key part of Qatar’s four-member show jumping squad at this year’s Olympics, is eyeing the European leg of preparations in the lead up to the Summer Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro.
Exactly a year ago, Al Rumaihi joined team-mates Khalid Al Emadi, Bassem Hassan Mohammed and Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani to win the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final in Abu Dhabi to seal 2016 Olympic Games berth.
“When the Doha Tour ends (in April), we will head directly to Europe,” Al Rumaihi, 34, said yesterday.
“We will feature in the Global Longines Tour.
“It is going to be a long and tough season,” Al Rumaihi added.
“This (tour) will make us ready for the Olympics because we will be riding against the best ahead of the Olympic Games,” he added.
A quick chat with Al Rumaihi:
Question: How do you look back as a rider? Have you made improvements?
Answer: Of course. We did a good job in Barcelona. We won a Challenge Cup there against the best riders. We have improved every event. Every rider needs good horses to get good results. Now I have one horse who was injured. We are a bit short in horses. We are trying to keep them sound enough to take them to the Olympic Games.
Question: Are you feeling any pressure at the home next month?
Answer: Every rider wants to win but it depends how the horse feels during the show. First of all, we are going to Al Ain for a big Nations Cup there. After that we have the Emir’s Sword event here in Doha followed by Al Shaqab. Both are five star events. Normally I was not going to ride here. But the trainer wants me to ride. He said even if I don’t get the results we want, he says it will be good practice for the Olympic Games.
Question: How do you look at the next five months leading up to the 2016 Olympic Games?
Answer: When the Doha Tour ends, we will head directly to Europe. We will feature in the Global Longines Tour. It is going to be a long and tough season. This (tour) will make us ready for the Olympics because we will be riding against the best ahead of the Olympic Games.
Question: How do manage to be cautious ahead of races?
Answer: It is very tricky (not to get hurt) and very difficult. We have a good team, a good system but still injury can happen even if you are lying in your bed or if your horse is in the box. He could slip and get injured. We will try to keep away from injuries.
Question: Do you feel luck plays a role in show jumping?
Answer: Luck is very important. You never know what might happen. You may feel great and just before the Olympic Games, something stupid might happen and you could be out of it.
Question: How long have you been riding?
Answer: Maybe all my life (laughs). Since I was six years old. It is a passion. My father loves horses, he breeds horses. He put me into show jumping. We liked it. And slowly it (the sport) got into our blood stream. Basically I inherited this from my father.
Question: What are your long-term goals?
Answer: First of all, I want to win the Olympic Games gold. I am not thinking about anything beyond that. That would be the biggest thing for my career.
Question: Have you ever ridden in Brazil before?
Answer: Yes, as a matter fact, I have. I went to Brazil twice. Once I was there for the Global Champions Tour (2009). And then I went there for Military Equestrian Games in 2011.
The Peninsula
