Tribune News Network
Doha
Seasoned rider Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi displayed both cohesion and form as he excelled on different horses to claim the Open Class and Big Tour titles on the concluding day of the first round of Longines-Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tours – Season 8 at the indoor arena of Qatar Equestrian Federation on Saturday.
Organized by the Qatar Equestrian Federation in partnership with Al Shaqab, the annual domestic equestrian series is a 14-leg competition which in the eight edition of the championship extends till May 2025.
Al Qadi made an impressionable start as he first excelled in the Open Class (Table A, One round against the clock, Art 238.2.1| 120cm) event riding bay mare Chanel D’Altenbach registering flawless and fastest time of 47.53secs to take top podium place.
Hamad Towaim Al Marri astride bay stud Famous was second (49.90secs) while Hamad Nasser Al Qadi on brown mare Happy Tina came in third (50.56secs)
The Open Class winners were honoured by Waleed Al Jassim, Technical Director of the Kuwait Equestrian Federation.
The Big Tour competition (Table A, Special two phases, Art. 274.2.5 | 145cm) was also topped by Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi as he this time excelled on his mount Morocco – a chestnut stud – as he flawlessly completed the two routines clocking the fastest 30.98secs. He was followed by Hamad Nasser Al Qadi (riding bay mare Stella) with a best time of 31.92secs, while Cyrine Cherif on chestnut mare Van Gallettana Z finished with a time of 32.5secs.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Noah Al Thani, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of Longines Hathab - Qatar Equestrian Tour, honoured the winners of the Big Tour.
Commenting on the conclusion of the first round competitions, Faisal Al Kahla, Tournament Director, confirmed that the performance levels shown by the riders in the various rounds over the three days have been high, which is what the Qatar Equestrian Federation is looking forward to. He also noted that the correct readings of the course and the successful completion of the rounds, in addition to adapting to the heights of the barriers, were important factors in the first round coming out as expected.
The second round of Longines-Hathab will be held from October 10-12.Longines-Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour 1st Round
