Tribune News Network
Doha
Hussain Saeed Haidan claimed the Small Tour title on the opening day of the penultimate and 13th round of Season 7 of Qatar Equestrian Tour - Longines Hathab at the outdoor arena of Qatar Equestrian Federation on Thursday.
Riding darkbrown stud D Saucedo, Haidan topped the Table A, One round against the clock (110/115cm) class in flawless and swiftest 45.03 secs ahead of Mohammed Jabor Al Naimi on Bonhomme D’Orval (45.60secs) and Hamad Towaim Al Marri on Famous (46.84secs).
Mohammed Dhafi Al Marri, who leads the Small Tour rankings had to be content with the fourth place, riding Destiny 297 (48.53secs).
Dr. Dhafin Nasra Al Ardi, Chairman of the Championship’s Medical Committee and former support rider Mubarak Al Rumaihi, honoured the Small Tour podium winners.
Earlier in the dressage competition at the indoor arena, Michelle Grimes won the Medium (Level 1) competition garnering a top score of 67.969 points with darkbown mare Hutopia STH.
Maryam Ahmed AlSemaitt was second on bay stud San Francisco (66.875pts), while Grimes also claimed the third place with mare Givency Utopia (63.906pts).
The dressage Prelim (Level 2) competitions was topped by Tameen Abrahim Al Hor with stud H’Amour DCaramel VH Bloemenhof (72.500pts) ahead of Ibrahim Khalid Al Kuwari, also performing with the same horse (70.192pts).
Hajeerah Khan claimed the third podium spot with Lauries with a tally of 69.231pts.
The dressage winners were honoured by The winners were honoured by Omar Al Buainain, Director, Services Sector Support of QEF, and Abdullah Al Qashouti, Director, Media and Broadcast Committee, Longines Hathab.
The Future Riders Optimum Class (80cm) was topped by Abdulaziz Saoud Al Fakhroo astride Quest with faultless ride in 51.86secs. Faisal Mohammed Al Naimi with Mackney Buster was second (52.24) and Noora Abdulaziz Al Rumaihi third on Fanta-Sparta (51.75secs).
The Optimum Time (60cm) class saw Naseer Hamad Al Thani claim the top podium place with bay mare Sita with a faultless time of 52.46secs while Khalifa Mohammed Al Binal on Fornite (52.96) was second, and Kayan Ibrahim Al Rumahi on Currabawn Shadow third (53.18secs).
Omar Al Buainain, Director, Services Sector Support of QEF, awarded the podium winners.
Abdullah Al Qashouti, the Director of the Media and Broadcast Committee of Longines Hathab, said that competition has become intense with the domestic equestrians series at its business end. “We are witnessing an year on year improvement in the riders skills and performances,” he said, adding, “This is also because of the many international championships and foreign participation in Qatar which is helping the local riders improve their levels.”
Al Qashouti also noted that the large attendance at events is adding to the excitement and competition among the riders.
