Tribune News Network
Doha
After six months of grueling competition, contestants of Qatar's national equestrian series Hathab Tour will face-off in the 12th and final leg from Thursday at Al Shaqab's main indoor arena. Fierce competition is again expected in the three-day event which will conclude on Saturday as it is the last opportunity for riders to earn a place on the podium.
Roashid Towaim al Marri currently leads the Big Tour tally with a tally of 171 points. He is followed by Hamad Nasser al Qadi with 167 points.
Nasser al Ghazali with 166 points is a close third, while Awad al Qahtani is fourth with a tally of 160 points.
All the riders will be looking forward to a flourishing finish on their horses to emerge as national champion.
The Medium and Small Tour will also see a keen competition.
Family and children-centered activities have also been specially organised for the Hathab final competition. Kids' yoga classes, 'Build a bear', face painting, story telling, 'bathbomb making', pasta making classes for kids, henna painting are some of the fun-filled activities that children can participate in.
Also not to be missed are food & beverage options Qatari, South African, Italian, Danish, French and American flavours to tantalise the taste buds of discerning visitors.
The Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) and Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation, forged a new alliance for Hathab which carries a total prize-money of QR1 million and a total of 12 competitions run from the second week of October 2017 till April 2018.
The best seven results out of the total twelve will be taken into account and accordingly the winners will be announced for each and every category.
Hathab, meaning"Canter" in Arabic, is an initiative of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee.
It is aimed at improving the standard of horse riding among Qatari youths while encouraging the involvement of private stables and individual horse owners to grow awareness of horsemanship as part of Qatar's history and tradition.
The vision for Hathab is to inspire Qatar's next generation of international champions.
Day 1 Schedule
4.30pm: Small Tour class, Table A, One round against the clock (110/115cm), Prize Money QR10,000
6.50pm: Medium Tour class, Table A, One round against the clock (120/130cm), Prize Money QR20,000
8.15pm: Big Tour class, Table A, One round against the clock (130/140cm), Prize Money QR30,000.