BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Saudi Arabia’s showjumping star Abdullah Waleed Al Sharbatly produced a sublime run with Sacramento to win the feature competition on day three of the 2015 Doha Tour yesterday.
A member of the Saudi team that won the bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Al Sharbatly sported the biggest smile as Sacramento managed a flawless routine to clinch the 140/145cm class at Al Shaqab’s Indoor Arena here.
It was the third and penultimate day of competition in the two-leg series that started at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s (QEF) Outdoor Arena last week.
The experienced rider saw Sacramento clock a time of 30 seconds to secure the top prize of QR 10,000.
Al Sharbatly, the individual silver medal winner at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, yesterday fended off stiff competition from compatriot Khalid Al Eid, who guided Dona Evita to second spot with a time of 30.31 seconds.
In third place was Bijou Van De Vijfheide, who was ridden by Bader Mohammed Alfard of Saudi Arabia. Alfard clocked a time of 31.85 seconds to claim the prize of QR 6,000.
Al Sharbatly said his ride was a “dream purchase”.
“It was a fantastic show. My horse is really good. He’s a superstar,” Al Sharbatly said. “I bought him 10 months ago. All the competitions he has been to, he’s never hit a fence,” the 32-year-old added.
“He’s really good. He’s my type of a horse. He has fit well into in my scheme of things,” the Saudi added as he patted Sacramento.
“He has been really good. Every time I get into the ring (with him), I end up in the top three,” he said. “I hope he carries on and keeps doing his thing in the same manner.”
“I am going to Antwerp for a Global Champions Tour next week. Then I have one week off after that and then I am off to Shanghai,” the world number 24 said.
Commenting on the Al Shaqab facility in Doha, Al Sharbatly said: “This is an unbelievable place. I don’t think any venue could top this.”
Earlier in the 130/135cm class, bespectacled Saudi rider Abdulrahman Al Rajhi had little to complain about his ride Chilli Pepper as he won the competition ahead of 24 entries.
Al Rajhi topped the jump-off round with a time of 35.34 seconds as he picked up the top prize of QR 7,500.
Qatar’s Saeed Nasser Al Qadi finished in second spot with Day Dreamer, clocking a time of 37.92 seconds in the jump-off. Al Qadi won QR 6,000.
Abdulrahman Adel Nasser, astride Cassandra, finished in third spot with a time of 40.45 seconds in the jump-off. Nasser picked up QR 4,500 for his efforts.
“Chilli Pepper fought all the way and helped me win this class,” Al Rajhi said. “I was prepared for this competition. It is not a surprise for me to win today. I never go to a competition thinking I won’t win. I want to win all the time.
“I don’t know when I started riding,” the young Saudi said when asked about his early days. “I always try to win because I feel I don’t have to compete if I don’t think of winning,” he said with a smile.
“My long-term goals include going to the Olympics and
doing well there. I want to be at the World Cups and do well there too.
“I feel that you have to have dreams. You have to have a plan and then go for it,” Al Rajhi said.
“Doha Tour is a fantastic event. It is one of the finest events staged at the world’s best venue. I really like it. It is a nice place to compete at,” he said.
“Everything about this place is fantastic and I really love the show,” he said.
“I will come here every year,” Al Rajhi said with a smile. “This is the best stadium in the world. It is unbelievable.”
Earlier, Kuwaiti rider Ali Jassim Al Khrafi produced a neat run with Ungarin 4 to seal the win in the 120/125cm class, the day’s opening competition.
Al Khrafi rode out Ungarin 4 knowing he had never won in an event staged at the Al Shaqab Arena. He clocked a time of 57.44 seconds.
Hamad Twaim Al Marri of Qatar nearly pulled off a coup with Senna Van De Helle but only managed to finish in second spot with a time of 58.89 seconds.
Qatar’s Abdulla Ali El Jail, astride Le Premier K, was slightly slower compared to the top riders and finished in third spot with a time of 59:36 seconds.
Al Marri won QR 4,000 while Abdullah picked up QR 3,000 for his run.
Al Krafi could barely hide his emotions after clinching the first win in Doha.
“I was riding in Kuwait when I got this invite. I want to thank my family and my federation that I could be here,” Al Khrafi said after picking up the top prize of QR 5,000.
“It was good to come here and get experience to ride here. It is a good event,” he said. “I am happy that I came here and won this competition. It is my first win here.”
“This is a great venue. I feel it was important to be here since this venue stages great events,” Al Khrafi said.
The two-leg 2015 Doha Tour ends today. Action starts at 2.30pm. THE PENINSULA
