Hamad Ali Al Attiyah, astride Aslan 69, in action yesterday.
Doha: Seasoned rider Hamad Ali Al Attiyah yesterday paired up with Aslan 69 to corner Big Tour glory on the final day of the second round of the Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab.
Aslan 69, the nine-year-old gelding, produced a flawless routine as Al Attiyah won the top prize of QR 12,600.
Aslan 69 clocked a time of 28.90 seconds to clinch the issue in the 130/140cm competition.
Riders and officials pose for a group photo after the presentation for Big Tour, yesterday. Ahmed Salem Al Ali, Director of The Social and Sport Contribution Fund, gave away the prizes.
The second spot on the podium was sealed by Saeed Nasser Al Qadi (Andreas SPB Z, 31.32 seconds). Al Qadi won QR 10,350 for emerging as the second fastest rider at Qatar Equestrian Federation’s (QEF) Indoor Arena.
Quel Homme, who had Nasser Al Ghazali in the saddle, clinched the third place after clocking a time of 27.38 seconds. Al Ghazali won QR 7,875 in a field of seven riders in the jump-off.
Carport (Mohammed Saeed Haidan, 4 faults, 32.21 seconds, QR 5,625) and S I E C Lonnie (Hamad Nasser Al Qadi, 4 faults, 81.17 seconds, QR 4,275) completed the top five.
Earlier in the Open Class, Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi yesterday guided Happy Tina to a hard-fought win in the 115/120cm competition.
Happy Tina clocked a time of 52.65 seconds as Al Qadi won QR 6,250. Hussain Saeed Haidan (Kannada) clinched the second spot in a time of 53.31 seconds in the round against the clock. Haidan won QR 5,000.
Nasser Al Ghazali (Hurry Up, 53.77 seconds, QR 3,750) sealed the third spot with a flawless routine.
Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi (Jazz De Semilly K Z, 54.18 seconds, QR 2,500) and Rashid Towaim Al Marri (Lamm Addiction Z, 54.32 seconds, QR 1,750) completed the top five.
Sheikha Reem bint Mohammed bin Faisal Al Thani, chief of the Reem Endurance Team in Qatar, yesterday said: “I am pleased to see the start of the fourth season of Hathab Series. There are huge benefits for the Qatari riders when they feature in this series. I have seen dazzling performances already.”
Sheikh Reem, who underlines her passion for horse back riding by encouraging more women to take up equestrian sports, added: “I will be attending the rounds of this series. The Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab is doing a great service to encourage young riders to take part in competitions like this one. The standard of this series is very high. Also, the organisers have done a great job to stage these rounds despite the threat of COVID-19.”
The next round will be held from Nov 5-7. The new show jumping season is supported by The Social and Sport Contribution Fund. The popular series is sponsored by Longines, ExxonMobil, and Salam International.
