Qatar Tribune
Ali Al Rumaihi, Event Director of Longines Hathab, and Secretary-General Qatar Equestrian Federation and Modern Pentathlon (QEFMP), has been impressed with the growing standards of riders, horses, and the competition in the annual showjumping and dressage series.
At the conclusion of the Sixth season’s second round of Longines Hathab, Al Rumaihi, a former Olympian himself, while speaking to Qatar Tribune, said, “We are happy to have more riders and to see that they can jump higher fences. I was just speaking on television now about the quality of horses which the riders are now on to are different, well trained, and more expensive as well.
“As we can see, the Qatari riders are focused and are aiming to make it one of Qatar’s equestrian teams or to get a chance to participate in a World Cup, Asian Games, or the Olympics. Everybody is doing their best to get a good horse, a good trainer, and to get good exposure and experience through Hathab and eventually get a chance to represent the nation.
“We already have a team of five riders (Bassem Hassan Seif, Hamad Ali Al Attiyah, Saeed Nasser Al Qadi, Rashid Towaim Al Marri, and Hamad Nasser Al Qadi) who are based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, training for the Olympic qualifiers. But you never know, among the many at Longines Hathab (Season 6) here who are aspiring could also get a chance. When the time comes and if one is excelling and is in good form and has a good horse can aspire to win a place if someone drops due to some reason,” he added.
The five-member team will be back in Qatar ahead of the new year to acclimatize outdoors because the Olympic qualifiers will be held outdoors.
Coming back to the rising number of riders and the good performances of especially from the Future Riders’ class and the Small Tour, Al Rumaihi said, “They are doing remarkably well and are very confident. But they should use their confidence in a good way and keep working hard to reach the higher levels.”
Al Rumaihi added, “From the organization point of view, Our goal is to put the championship on the regional and international map.”
He also extended his thanks and appreciation to the riders, the Qatari media, and equestrian fans in particular who appreciate all levels of showjumping, dressage, endurance, and racing.
He also thanked the official sponsors, the success partners, the Social & Sports Contribution Fund (Daam), Longines, ExxonMobil Qatar, and Salam company for their generous support to Hathab.
“I hope it increases it in the future so that Hathab can be placed on the regional and international map given that we have had great success in the past five seasons (since Hathab was introduced in 2016) and has helped in expanding the base of participation in terms of numbers and efficiency.”
Al Rumaihi also extended a free invitation to equestrian lovers for all the rounds of Longines Hathab to be held at the Qatar Equestrian Federation premises and at Al Shaqab, Member, Qatar Foundation.
Qatar’s top riders and young and upcoming riders participate in the annual equestrian series of 14 individual and team competitions this season is being held between September 2022 to April 2023 and includes multiple categories in showjumping and dressage, across various age groups.
An initiative of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Longines Hathab is the country’s premier equestrian competition series and fulfills a vital role for the horseriding community.
It seeks to inspire Qatar’s next generation of international champions as well as increase awareness of horsemanship as part of Qatar’s culture and tradition.
Longines Hathab has been steadily growing year on year leading to riders’ excellence and stature with many going on to represent the Qatari national equestrian teams, and Qatar at other international championships.