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Vinay Nayudu
Doha
Salmeen Sultan al Suwaidi has been hugely impressive on horseback for the last few months and is continuing with the great form he's shown.
On Saturday, the 23-year-old rider once again put up his equestrian talent on show in front of a packed house emerging as the Big Tour competition champion in the penultimate Round 11 of the Hathab National Equestrian Series (2017-18).
The table A, Competition with Winning Round, Art. 276.2.1, 2.3 (130/140cm) also happened to be the finale of the six-day long Souq Waqif Equestrian Festival.
And it turned out to be a fitting one as fifteen riders with their trusted mounts took to the stage in the open arena soon after sunset overlooking the Corniche.
Ten of the riders made the winning round where Salmeen guided his 9-year-old chestnut gelding Guilder's Empire of the Sun to victory with faultless showjumping needing only 36.38secs to complete the routine. The effort saw him win QR7,500 in prize besides valuable points which will help decide the eventual Hathab champion after the final round later this month.
Salmeen had also clinched the Medium Tour, riding the same horse, on Friday.
In February last week, Salmeen had won his first HH Emir's Sword for equestrian.
"I have had some good results in Hathab. I jumped in the World Cup qualifiers in the Arab league. I jumped here in Doha in World Championship qualifiers and I qualified for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina this year. I hope do well in America as well," the rider had said then.
Given his on-going show, Salmeen surely looks a bright talent for future at the international level for Qatar.
Finishing a close second in the Big Tour was Rashid Towaim al Marri, who rode 12-year-old grey mare Beyonce, with a time of 38.29secs and received QR 6,000 in prize.
The third podium place was bagged by Cyrine Cherif, who on bay stud Gerlin VD Waterkant needed 44.68 secs besides one fault to complete the routine and win QR 4,500.
Earlier, in the Open Class One Round Against the Clock, Art. 238.2.1 (115/125cm) event Jaber Rashid al Amri produced a fine show as he rode his 10-year-old grey stallion Canavaro De Muze to victory in 60.02secs to collect the top prize of QR 3,750.
Finishing half a minute behind was Mohammed Said Haidan on 12-year-old bay mare Corrado's Coriana in 60.36secs. He was awarded QR 3,000 besides the runner-up trophy.
Hamad Nasser al Qadi on 14-year-old bay gelding Jazly took 66.16secs which was saw him finish third and claim a prize of QR 2,250.
The Souq Waqif Equestrian Festival which also saw auction of the Arabian horses and race for ponies was warmly received with large crowds swarming the arena on all the six days.
The equine extravaganza was organised by the Private Engineering Office, in co-operation with the Qatar Equestrian Federation, Racing and Equestrian Club and Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation.
The final round of the Hathab series is scheduled for the last week of April.
Hathab, meaning 'Canter' in Arabic, is an initiative of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, president of the Qatar Olympic Committee.
The championship is jointly organised by Al Shaqab and Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF).
Results
Big Tour: Table A, Competition with winning round, Art 276.2.1, 2.3, 130/140 cm, Prize Money: QR30,000
1. Salmeen Sultan al Suwaidi. Horse: Guilder’s Empire of the Sun. Time: 36.38secs. Prize money: QR7,500
2. Rashid Towaim al-Marri. Beyonce. 38.29ses. QR6,000
3. Cyrine Cherif. Gerlin VD Waterkant. 44.68secs. QR4,500
Open Class: Table A, One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1, 115/125 cm, Prize-Money: QR15,000
1. Mohammed Sultan al Suwaidi. Horse: Numero Uno – T. Time: 54.82secs. Prize money: QR3,750
2. Awad al Qahtani. Gerenice of Colors. 56.49secs. QR3,000
3. Hamad Nasser al Qadi. Galwaybay Merbreaker. 57.54secs. QR2,250.
