DOHA: Nasser Al Ghazali won the Medium Tour class, while Mohammed Faisal Al Marri clinched the Amateur Class during the first round of the eighth Longines Hathab – Qatar Equestrian Tour at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s indoor arena on Friday.
Al Ghazali emerged the fastest astride Dexter in 31.42 seconds. Cyrine Cherif came second on Van Galatina in 31.68 seconds, while Hamad Tuwaim al-Marri took third spot on Baron with 31.87 seconds.
In the team competitions of the Medium Class, Doha Bank emerged victorious ahead of Lekhwiya and Mqanes. Ahmed Jaber Al Mulla, Qatar Equestrian Federation Board Member, presented the trophies to Medium Class winners.
Earlier, in the amateur round Al Marri with veteran horse Dusty for company took the top honours with a blazing round in 20.57 seconds. Abdulaziz Saud Al Fakhro came in second placed in 22.06 seconds on the Valo, while Maryam Abdul Karim Abdul was in a time of 30.96 seconds on Wadi Rum. Ahmed Khaled Al Humaidi, Al Shaqab's Horse Programs Advisor, crowned the winners of the round.
The third and final day of the first leg of the hugely popular equestrian competition will be on Saturday with three Dressage events to be held in the morning session.
The showjumping events Open Class and Big Tour will begin from 4pm and 7pm respectively.
The annual domestic equestrian series comprises a total of 14 rounds and shall continue till May 2025. The best seven results of the series are taken into account in deciding overall champions in various categories of showjumping and dressage.
