Daniel Deusser rides Kiana van het Herdershof during a warm-up session at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, ahead of the Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab presented by Longines which kicks off today.
World number three Daniel Deusser will be in the spotlight at this week’s Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab but the German show jumping star knows he won’t be the only one aiming for the Grand Prix glory on Saturday.
Deusser, 38, last week guided Calisto Blue to Gothenburg Trophy win after a start with 32 entries in the Swedish city.
This week Deusser will be joined by Peder Fredricson of Sweden, currently ranked 5, Belgium’s Pieter Devos (No.6), Germany’s Christian Ahlmann (No.10), Great Britain’s Scott Brash and popular Australian Edwina Tops-Alexander.
A total of 88 riders from 23 countries will feature in show jumping, dressage and para-dressage events starting today.
Qatar will be represented by Bassem Mohammed, Faleh Suwead Al Ajami, Salmen Sultan Al Suwaidi and Rashid Towaim Ali Al Marri.
Omar Al Mannai, Commercial Manager, Al Shaqab, and Event Director, Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab, presented by Longines, said: “We will have riders from 23 countries representing five continents.
The participating riders total more than 190. There were will be dressage and para-dressage events also.”
When asked about the para-dressage event, Al Mannai said: “This is the fourth year Al Shaqab will be including this important Olympic discipline in the event and our facilities are geared to meet the needs of the participants. These are great role models who are sources of great inspiration to the physically impaired. We look forward to seeing Qatari riders participating in this discipline in the future.”
With a string of events planned on the sidelines, Al Mannai said Longines Arena at Al Shaqab is aiming to host its biggest event in recent history.
“We started on a small platform but we had plans to give our events a distinctive look. We are confident that this would be the biggest event. We have participants from five continents. There is an overwhelming increase in the number of riders with top ratings. There are 19 riders in the para-dressage class and 17 in dressage,” Al Mannai said.
Alejandro Berdegue, Sport Coordinator, Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab, said yesterday: “We thank our sponsors for helping us set this event. This is an amazing facility.
“Regarding the participation, we have riders from 23 nations. We have all the continents represented at this week’s event. All riders mark their calendars with Al Shaqab on it. This is the seventh edition. We will have a rider from Uruguay also. There will be jumping, dressage and para-dressage events. All events will consist of riders with rankings. There is more prize money,” Berdegue said.
“First of all, the horses have arrived safe and sound. They travelled in three cargo planes of Qatar Airways. They landed only six hours apart. It’s not an easy operation but everything went smooth,” Berdegue said.
“They are in stable they are looked at by Shaqab vets. They are well looked after. They will undergo vet check tomorrow. Regarding the riders, they are still arriving. We are expecting the rest to join us soon.
"This impressive venue is a perfect model for this competition. The ground is perfect. We have to know the footing has to be firm. It has to be a little more firm. We are ready to host the event,” Berdegue added.
Meanwhile title sponsors Commercial Bank are thrilled to support CHI Al Shaqab, a top official of the bank said yesterday.
Abeer Marwan Al Kalla, Head of Corporate Communications and CSR, yesterday said: “I wish all participant riders a pleasant time this week. Commercial Bank has accustomed itself by backing top sports events held in Qatar. We are thrilled to support CHI Al Shaqab. We want to promote sports in the country.”
Al Kalla added: “This event promotes authenticity in this sport. The vision of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani helps us make this country an oasis of sporting success.
"The Commercial Bank is trying to be present in all such events. We consider ourselves real partners.
“We take pride in sponsoring this event. It is an honour to have this event with us. Commercial Bank is the sponsor for the next three years. I extend our best wishes to everyone associated with this great international event,” Al Kalla said.
“This is the first time Commercial Bank is sponsoring this event. We know the details of the event. We have a wide-ranging interest in the competition. This event and people at Al Shaqa promote our heritage inside Qatar and worldwide. We will have a large number of staff attending the event,” she added.
