Mohammed Khalifa Albaker astride Jumbo during the Open Class event.
Doha: Mohammed Khalifa Albaker has been phenomenal in the new showjumping season, displaying an outstanding performance.
The promising rider clinched his second successive Big Tour win soon after sealing the Open Class title as the second round of the Qatar Equestrian Tour - Longines Hathab concluded yesterday.
Albaker, who won the opening round after an impressive show earlier this month, maintained the momentum as he partnered with 15-year-old Verona to claim second consecutive victory in the Big Tour.
He finished the flawless routine in 65.25 seconds to convincingly walk away with the title and prize money of QR15,000.
Ahmed Al Bedwi, Board Member of Longines Hathab Supreme Organizing Committee, with Big Tour winner Mohammed Khalifa Albaker and runners-up Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani.
“This was the second tour of the season and I am very glad with my results. I want to thank all the supporters and also my sponsors Alfardan group for giving me this opportunity,” Albaker said after winning the Big Tour yesterday.
He also earned third position in the Big Tour with 12-year-old Lissabon 56, clocking 63.94 – yesterday’s fastest time but four faults in the process proved costly.
Riding Serendipity, Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani secured second position in the event with a time of 68.28 as he completed the round without any fault.
Faleh Suwead Al Ajami took fourth position with Larko Denfer after completing the course in 67.15, making four faults, while Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi – astride Carport – completed the top 5 with a time of 68.54, also following four errors.
Open Class podium winners Mohammed Khalifa Albaker, Hussain Saeed Haidan and Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi with officials.
Earlier, Albaker, astride eight-year-old Jumbo, stormed to win in the Open Class, with perfect runs of 31.27 and 26.68.
Albaker said he did a lot of hardwork to prepare for the season, hoping for more wins in the upcoming rounds.
“These wins are a result of the hard work I did this summer, also my sponsor backed me with some very good horses so I was lucky. I hope this continues in the rest of the season,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hussain Saeed Haidan was second in the Open Class after completing the two rounds in 29.59 and 26.92 with Viahipi D’Auzay.
Riding Quick Step, Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi stood third on the Open Class podium for his flawless performance in 32.50 and 27.04.
Nasser Al Ghazali and Hurry Up combined to take fourth position with times of 32.15 and 27.54, while Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi, who rode Callisto, finished fifth after clocking 34.01 and 27.78 in the two rounds.
The year’s Longines Hathab season will be comprised of 14 rounds. QEF Indoor Arena and the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab will host the events until April 2023.
LONGINES HATHAB QATAR EQUESTRIAN TOUR ROUND 2
Open Class| Table A, Two phases, Art. 274.1.5.3 | 115/120cm | Prize-Money QR25,000
1. Mohammed Khalifa Albaker; Jumbo; Faults: 0; Time: 31.27; Faults: 0; Time: 26.68; Prize: QR6,250
2. Hussain Saeed Haidan; Viahipi D’Auzay; 0; 29.59; 0; 26.92; QR5,000
3. Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi; Quick Step; 0; 32.50; 0; 27.04; QR3,750
Big Tour | Table A, One round against the clock | 130/140cm | Prize-Money: QR60,000
1. Mohammed Khalifa Albaker; Verona; 0; 65.25secs, QR15,000
2. Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani; Serendipity; 0; 68.28, QR12,000
3. Mohammed Khalifa Albaker; Lissabon 56; 4; 63.94secs, QR9,000
