The podium winners of the Big Tour, Hamad Nasser Al Qadi, Hamad Towaim Al Marri and Cyrine Cherif pose for a photograph with officials during the awards presentation on the final day of the opening round of 2018/2019 Hathab Equestrian Tour at the Qatar Eq
DOHA: Promising young Qatari rider Hamad Nasser Al Qadi yesterday produced a sublime ride with St Lucia to win the Big Tour event in the season’s opening round of Hathab Series.
Managing a flawless routine at Qatar Equestrian Federation’s (QEF) Indoor Arena, Al Qadi looked in little trouble over a field of 13 riders to seal his win.
St Lucia, aged 15, clocked a time of 62.60 seconds as Al Qadi won the top prize of QR 8,750.
It was the new season’s first Big Tour win for any rider.
Experienced Qatari rider Hamad Towaim Al Marri also managed a neat routine as he guided Chin Van De Kranenburg to second spot. Al Marri clocked a time of 71.39 seconds to pick up the prize bag of QR 7,000.
Cyrine Cherif, astride Gerlin VD, secured the third spot in a time of 72.63 seconds. Cherif, who stalled with one fault, got richer by QR 5,250.
Mohammed Said Haidan (Casanova, 72.94 seconds, QR 3,500) and Salman Mohammed Al Emadi (Zorro Z, 57.76 seconds, 4 faults, QR 2,450) completed the top five in the day’s feature event.
The star rider on Friday Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi, astride Bolandro, (61.56 seconds, QR 1,925) finished in sixth spot.
Earlier yesterday in competition five, Mohammed Said Haidan emerged as a runaway winner of the 115/125cm contest as he guided Apple Bee to a smooth ride.
Apple Bee, aged 13, clocked a time of 50.03 seconds as Haidan won the top prize of QR 3,750 over a field of 24 entries.
Mohammad Hazim Abara, astride Ambre De Beaufour, finished in second spot in a time of 53.27 seconds thought the routine was without any faults. Abara won QR 3,000.
Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi also managed a flawless routine with Concordiva VH Wilgenhof to seal the third spot. Al Qadi won QR 2,250 after his ride clocked a time of 56.43 seconds
Nasser Al Ghazali (Aslan 69) and Faleh Suwayed Al Ajami (Concordija) completed the top five in the round against the clock.
In competition four, Mutlaq Ali, astride Super Girl, rocked the contest in the 85.100cm category for young riders. Tamim Nasser Al Qadi and Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al Thani completed the top three.
In competition three, Barzan Azzam headed the rankings by guiding Ilse to the top spot in the 70/85cm category. Abdulhadi Salah and Ahmed Jassim Al Suwaidi completed the top three.
After the day’s proceedings, Chairman of the Qatar Referees Committee, Eng. Nasser Al Hajri, said the initiative to launch the Hathab Series is proving to be a right move.
“Whether we see individual riders of team events, the competitions are giving the young riders a great opportunity to hone their skills,” Al Hajri said yesterday.
“The opportunity is there for everybody to learn. The second edition, I am sure, will be a great hit. The championships have been very well planned. It is a great initiative launched by H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the QOC Chairman. The development of young Qatari riders is going on really well,” he said.
“Not only the young riders are improving but they are learning the art of competing against each other. This championship for riders of all ages. Last season we had the Souq Waqif Equestrian Festival. That too proved to be a big hit with the fans,” he said.
“This championship has been planned with great detail by QEF and Al Shaqab. You can see the evidence of their involvement at all levels. Qatar equestrian is on the way up,” he said. “To see the riders improve is a great feeling. We are happy to see the overall results,” he added. “I am pretty certain the coming rounds will be even more competitive,” he added.
The two-day round was hosted by Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) and Al Shaqab.
