DOHA: A staggering amount of QR5m will be up for grabs at the four-day 2016 CHI Al Shaqab, organisers of the top-notch equestrian competition said yesterday.
Held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani and Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Al Shaqab will organise the event from March 2 to 5.
The fourth edition of the event, sponsored by ExxonMobil, will see top-ranking local, regional and international riders compete in Show Jumping CSI 5* and CSI 4*, Dressage CDI 5* and Para-Dressage, Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, Al Shaqab Executive Director & CHI Al Shaqab President, said yesterday.
“CHI Al Shaqab significantly contributes to the international equestrian sport and business community. Through events such as these, Al Shaqab aims to preserve and promote the Arabian equine heritage while promoting Qatar and the region,’’ Al Qahtani said.
“We’re very happy to announce another page in the history of our partnership with CHI Al Shaqab, which has become a flagship international equestrian event. I am confident that this year will be a stellar one for CHI Al Shaqab and a wonderful experience for both competitors and spectators alike,” Alistair Routledge, President and General Manager for ExxonMobil Qatar, said.
“This year, we’re proud to expand our collaboration as the main sponsor of the Al Shaqab Equine Education Centre, which instils lifelong leadership skills and a sense of responsibility in its students. This is critical to creating a confident and well-equipped generation who can build a bright future for Qatar.
“At ExxonMobil Qatar, we devote much of our energy to developing human capacity through our local partnerships, and we do this by providing unique learning opportunities. Ultimately, we aim to fulfill His Highness, The Emir’s vision of a knowledge-based economy,” Routledge added.
The Festival Area will offer visitors, access to a dedicated family entertainment zone featuring pony and horse-carriage rides as well as an array of food and beverages choices, according to Omar Al Mannai, Event Director, CHI Al Shaqab.
“The Area will also include a a child care facility which parents with toddlers can use,” Al Mannai said. “The fourth edition of CHI Al Shaqab promises to be the best one yet with record participation expected. The equestrian competitions always attract the crowds and are set to be the highlight of the event.’’
Along with the competitions, members of the public can look forward to a host of entertaining activities planned throughout the duration of the four-day event.
Competing in the event, Sheikh Ali Al Thani, CSI 5* Show Jumper, who is part of the Olympic Qatari Team said: ‘’CHI Al Shaqab is the most anticipated annual equestrian event in the country. It’s a phenomenal opportunity to be able to compete in this year’s event.”
Members of the Qatari Royal Family and members from royal families across the GCC, as well as local and international VIPs within the equine sport and business world will be in attendance.
CHI Al Shaqab is a key competition in the international equestrian calendar whereby riders can receive points to qualify for the Rio Olympics 2016. It is also the last opportunity for teams competing in the discipline of Dressage to qualify for the Olympics.
CHI Al Shaqab the first event of the CSI 4* Jumping tour taking place in Doha over three weeks, which also present an opportunity for riders to gain qualifying points for the Olympics.
After CHI Al Shaqab, the second event will take place at the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF), and the third will take place at Katara Cultural Village.
beIN SPORTS will be the official host broadcast for CHI Al Shaqab, showing the competition across their worldwide network, as well as online.
CHI Al Shaqab 2016 is one of only four international annual equestrian competitions that showcases three or more equestrian disciplines in one event. By organising events such as CHI Al Shaqab, Al Shaqab supports the Qatar Foundation Vision 2030 which aims to promote Qatar as a premier international sports destination.
Al Shaqab Hotel, Careem, Nasser bin Khalid, Reach Out To Asia, are partners of CHI Al Shaqab.
For Wednesday and Thursday the day tickets are priced at QR 20 for adults (above the age of 12) and QR 10 for children (above the age of 6); For Friday and Saturday tickets are priced at QR 40 for adults (above the age of 12) and QR 10 for children (above the age of 6).
The Peninsula
