Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi celebrates after completing his round astride Morocco.
Doha: In-form Qatari rider Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi and stallion Morocco yesterday sealed the biggest win of his career when the duo clinched the Big Tour title at the Prestigious HH The Amir Sword Festival at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s Outdoor Arena yesterday.
The Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani crowned the winners at glamorous ceremony last evening.
Al Qadi and his 15-year-old ride had already impressed the crowds on Friday bagging the victory in the 145cm class. The duo yesterday stamped their dominance by stopping the clocks at 59.53 secs and 52.25 secs, conceding four errors in the two rounds respectively as the 21-year-old rider won a shiny new car as grand prize in addition to the glittering HH The Amir’s Golden Sword.
“The biggest prize of this victory is getting the award from the His Highness the Amir. It is a great honour for me to win HH The Amir Sword title. I am delighted on this win,” Al Qadi said after winning the event.
Meanwhile, Crispo with Faleh Suwead Al Ajami in the saddle, clocked times of 61.60 secs and 49.73 secs in his two rounds.
Al Ajami and Crispo had made four faults on Friday, but despite a first round in which he clocked a time of 61.60 secs with eight more faults, the 37-year-old Qatari rider made a brilliant comeback with a time of 49.73 in the decisive round to get richer by QR24,750.
Aslan 69, ridden by Bassem Hassan Mohammed, who made a total of 16 faults in the three rounds, completed the podium with times of 61.40 secs and 42.88 secs yesterday as the rider won QR20,250 in prize money.
Last year’s winner of the prestigious sword, Hamad Nasser Al Qadi and his ride Ermitage’s Boy came fourth in 63.12 (8 faults) and an error-free 46.96 second round. Verona, with Mohammed Khalifa Albaker in the saddle, finished with times of 63.97 secs, 47.89 after conceding a total of 16 faults to round up the top five. The Medium Tour victory was clinched by Hamad Ali Al Attiyah and the Qatar Armed Forces-owned Calgary VD Haterbeek Z following three flawless routines over the two-day competition.
Al Attiyah won the grand prize of a latest car when he and the nine-year-old bay stallion completed two rounds of 61.01 secs and 44.30 secs, yesterday.
Navaronne, with Rashid Towaim Al Marri, also went on to finish all his rounds without making any faults, and was placed second after stopping the clocks at 61.51 and 44.81. Sheikha Fatima Jabor Al Thani and her bay gelding Eddie came third in 56.02 and 48.83 after making a total of 20 errors. The Small Tour contest was won by Mohammed Dhafi Al Marri who guided Destiny 297 in two error-free rides of 55.30 and 44.86. He won QR13,750 in prize money.
Kaprice VD Bisschop, with Hassan Ibrahim Al Nassr in the saddle, finished second while Curt Lele and Qatari rider Khalid Ali Al Adba came third.
HH The Amir Sword showjumping and dressage championship
Small Tour | Table A, Two rounds against the clock, Art. 273.3.3.1 | 100/120cm
Rank, Horse, Rider, 1st Day’s faults, Rd 1 Faults, Time, Rd 2 faults, Time, Total faults, Prize Money
1: Destiny 297, Mohammed Dhafi Al Marri, 0, 0, 55.30, 0, 44.86, 0, QR13,750
2: Kaprice VD Bisschop, Hassan Ibrahim Al Nassr, 0, 4, 56.40, 0, 37.70, 4, QR11,000
3: Curt Lele, Khalid Ali Al Adba, 0, 0, 59.57, 4, 40.87, 4, QR8,250
Medium Tour | Table A, Two rounds against the clock, Art. 273.3.3.1 | 120/135 cm
Rank, Horse, Rider, 1st Day’s faults, Rd 1 Faults, Time, Rd 2 faults, Time, Total faults, Prize Money
1: Calgary VD Haterbeek Z, Hamad Ali Al Attiyah, 0, 0, 61.01, 0, 44.30, 0, Car
2: Navaronne, Rashid Towaim Al Marri, 0, 0, 61.51, 0, 44.81, 0, QR19,250
3: Eddie, Shka. Fatima Jabor Al Thani, 8, 0, 56.02, 12, 48.83, 20, QR14,000
Big Tour | Table A, Two rounds against the clock, Art. 273.3.3.1 | 135/145 cm
Rank, Horse, Rider, 1st Day’s faults, Rd 1 Faults, Time, Rd 2 faults, Time, Total faults, Prize Money
1: Morocco, Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi, 0, 4, 59.53, 0, 52.25, 4, Car
2: Crispo, Faleh Suwead Al Ajami, 4, 8, 61.60, 0, 49.73, 12, QR24,750
3: Aslan 69, Bassem Hassan Mohammed, 12, 4, 61.40, 0, 42.88, 16, QR20,250
