Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani is seen in action during his victorious ride with First Devision at last week’s QNB Qatar International Show Jumping Championship.
Veteran rider Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani returns to his ‘favourite’ hunting ground at QEF’s Outdoor Arena where the Olympic Games star will attempt to seal another win at this week’s QR1.7m Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship.
Last week, the 35-year-old topped the 160cm class - part of the FEI World Cup qualifying leg - to complete a memorable win in the four-rider jump-off in front of a huge home crowd.
“This is my home territory and I feel really confident going out there. I want to make my people happy. That’s the number one goal for me,” Sheikh Ali said ahead of the three-day event that starts today.
“I have qualified for two of my World Cup qualifying competitions here.
“It feels really good to go back for this event with confidence,” Sheikh Ali added.
“My horse jumped amazing last week. He’s a superstar. This was a successful run with him. He has been winning a few times and he was sixth at the Olympics. It was a little bit too easy for him here (but) a win is always special,” the Qatari star said.
Sheikh Ali said Qatar has seriously begun building a strong equestrian squad.
“Yes, most Qatari riders have done well. We have a good team, with good trainers. You can see how hard everybody is working. Every year riders are getting better. Hopefully we will build a good team. I think we are moving in that direction,” Sheikh Ali said.
Compatriot Bassem Mohammed, who stunned a world-class field to win the Grand Prix of Doha on the final day of the LGTC round at Al Shaqab two weeks ago, will also be seen in action this week.
Popularly known as Bassem, the Qatari rider last week returned to the podium with a resounding win with Toymaker, edging past veteran rider Edwina Tops-Alexander on the final day of the QNB Qatar International Show Jumping Championship.
Bassem sailed to his win in a time of 54.75 seconds in the 145cm class under lights at the QEF’s Outdoor Arena. Bassem, who picked up the top prize of €6,150, said he takes every event seriously as winning is ‘confidence-booster’ for all riders.
“I know that this event is not like LGCT but still we have to go out and deliver. But I feel you have to respect the riders and horses at each class,” Bassem said. “To win, especially here in Doha, makes me so happy.
“I am motivated for the coming shows. I just need to stay focused and follow the plan from trainers,” he added.
Other riders featuring at the three-day event include France’s Cyrine Cherif, Great Britain’s Alexandra Thornton, Greece’s Athina Onassis, Russia’s Vladimir Tuganov, Turkey’s Derin Demirsoy and Canada’s Labeed Ghaleb.
Other Qatar’s riders this week include Rashid Towaim Al Marri, Saeed Nasser Al Qadi, Salman Mohammed Al Emadi, Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi and Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi who won one of the events last week.
The Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) has arranged for family fun at QEF’s Outdoor Arena. Besides creating a plenty room for kids’ fun zone, the QEF have set up various food stalls also at the event. Organisers said fans can take part in raffle draws that offer laptops, Ipads and mobile phones in prizes.
Four lucky spectators at QEF were handed out these prizes last week when Qatar’s Olympic rider Sheikh Ali won the competition.
Appreciating the large turnout of people at recent events, President of QEF Hamad Abdulrahman Al Attiyah said: “Our events are getting better and bigger. The activities around the venue are a hit with families and children. We want the kids to come out and enjoy the proceedings and have fun at the same time.”
Omar Al Mannai, Commercial Manager, Al Shaqab, said in an official statement released by the organisers: “At QEF too we have fun zones around the venue. We have also arranged for pony rides and other fun activities for the kids.”
He added: “We have a collaboration with Al Bedaya to support local Qatari entrepreneurs and promote local products and services in the form of savoury food and beverage outlets and outdoor cafes. Also, there are raffle draws for fans which are a big hit with the audience.”
