Hamad Nasser Al Qadi celebrates after winning The Amir Sword last year, in this file photo.
Doha: Holder of last year’s Amir Sword, Hamad Nasser Al Qadi is seeking for an encore at HH The Amir Sword Equestrian Festival, which will kick off today at the Qatar Equestrian Federation.
More than 100 riders will compete for top honours, with showjumping and dressage events lined up at the three-day championship.
The Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation (QEMPF) signed sponsorship deals with Qatar’s leading companies – Vodafone - Qatar, Al Emadi Enterprises - Al Hazm, Baladna Food Industries and Abdullah Abdulghani & Brothers, who are supporting the prestigious event.
While the Big Tour event will decide the HH Amir’s Sword winner, the Medium and Small Tour, and Future Riders event in showjumping will also be strongly contested besides the Dressage Level 1, Level 2 competitions.
The prestigious championship’s feature event winner will be awarded the Amir Sword, QR65,000 and a luxury car on Saturday. The Medium Tour had a total prize of QR75,000 and the Small Tour QR50,000.
Hamad Nasser Al Qadi, one of the contenders for the Amir Sword, was hoping for a repeat of last year.
“It would be nice to win the Amir’s Sword again. I will be riding Andreas SPB Z on Saturday and I am quite confident of my chances. I have got familiar with my horse since it’s been a long season. I am confident of winning a second title in a row," said the rider, who is placed fifth in the on-going fifth season of Qatar Equestrian Tour Longines Hathab.
The Big Tour will also see the return of another experienced rider - Nasser Al Ghazali, bouncing back from some serious injuries he sustained after a fall in the first round of Hathab a few months ago.
“After the Hathab 2021-22 first round I fell off my horse (What A Pleasure) during a training session and fractured my hip bone and tore a muscle. It took time to recover but I am back now and my focus will be to do well in the HH Amir’s Sword event,” said the 2018 Hathab champion.
Saeed Nasser Al Qadi in action in this file photo.
Adding to the fight will be the in-form Saeed Nasser Al Qadi, who tops the Hathab Big Tour rankings.
“I’ll be jumping with Electra B, whom my brother Hamad rode to victory last year. It has been a great season so far and I hope to continue in the same vein. Hathab’s contests have seen the course become more and more challenging and that should help going into this competition,” he said.
Schedule of HH The Amir Sword Equestrian Festival 2022
TODAY
Dressage: Level 1, Medium 5.45pm
Dressage: Level 2, Prelim 6.45pm
TOMORROW
Small Tour (Table A, One round against the clock 100/120cm) 2pm
Medium Tour (Table A, One round against the clock 120/135cm) 5.45pm
Big Tour (Table A, One round against the clock 135/145cm) 7.30pm
SATURDAY
Small Tour (Table A, Two rounds 100/120cm) 11am
Big Tour (Table A, Two rounds 135/145cm) 2pm
Future Riders (Table A, Two Phases 70/85cm) 3pm
Future Riders (Table A, Two Phases 85/100cm) 3.30pm
Medium Tour (Table A, Two Rounds 120/135cm) 4.30pm
