The Peninsula
In-form Mohammed Khalifa Albaker maintained his Big Tour domination at the 14-leg Qatar Equestrian Tour – Longines Hathab claiming his third successive victory at the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) Indoor Arena, yesterday.
Riding 12-year-old Lissabon 56, Albaker clocked the fastest time of 33.56sec in the jump-off after finishing the first round in 65.97 to bag victory. He pocketed the winner’s purse of QR15,000 after his flawless performance in the QR60,000 event.
It was a good day for Cyrine Cherif too as the experienced show jumper claimed second and third positions in the Big Tour after claiming victory in the Open Class category following a flawless performance.
Cherif’s time of 34.81 in the jump-off after a round of 73.58 with eight-year-old Obama lent her second position, while she earned the third position with I’am Moerhoeve’s Princess Z after clocking 35.03 in the jump-off. The pair completed the first round in 72.59.
Earlier, riding 11-year-old Brennus Villelongue, Cherif stormed to win in the Open Class as she clocked 31.80 in the second phase after completing the first phase in 31.49.
Mohammed Hamad Alnaimi, who was astride Dubaii, clocked 32.49 to take the second position after completing the first phase in 30.06. Abdulaziz Majid Al Ghanim earned the third position with Al Shaqab-owned Guinness as the pair finished a faultless performance in 33.15, slower than their first phase show of 31.71.
In the Future Riders (Max. 90cm) category, Abdulaziz Soud Al Mutawa partnered with Anyway II to display a flawless performance, winning the event with a time of 48.18. Jassim Adel Al Saegh, astride Casanova SCH, clocked 48.21 to clinch the second position, while Maryam Nassir Al Mutlaq took third place with Inzaghi Van Molenheide for a time of 47.76.
Teaming up with QEF-owned Kashmir, Abdulaziz Abdulla Alabri was victorious in the Future Riders (Max. 80cm) category with a perfect show of 48.25. It was a close contest as Mohammed Abdulla Al Marri and his 19-year-old Whistler just fell short, clocking 48.60. Hassan Ali Almarhoon and 22-year-old Sita were also outstanding, clinching the third position with a time of 48.95.
Abdullah Muhammad Al Marri, Director of Future Knights and Teams of Qatar Equestrian Federation, praised riders’ performance at Qatar Equestrian Tour – Longines Hathab.
“The participation of a huge number of young riders and rising standards in their performance show the future is bright,” Al Marri said yesterday.
“The riders are constantly improving which is evident from their performances in the Hathab rounds, which is witnessing exciting competitions among the riders,” he added.
RESULTS:
Big Tour | Table A, One round against the clock with jump-off, Art. 238.2.2 | 130/140 cm | Prize Money QR60,000
1: Horse: Lissabon 56, Rider: Mohammed Khalifa Albaker; Faults: 0, Time: 65.97 secs, Jump off faults: 0, Time: 33.56 secs
2: Obama, Cyrine Cherif, 0, 73.58, 0, 34.81
3: I'am Moerhoeve's Princess Z, Cyrine Cherif, 0, 72.59, 0, 35.03
Open Class| Table A, Two phases, Art. 274.1.5.3 | 115/120cm | Prize Money QR25,000
1: Horse: Brennus Villelongue, Rider: Cyrine Cherif, Faults: 0, Time: 31.49 secs, Jump off faults: 0, Time: 31.80 secs
2: Dubaii, Mohammed Hamad Alnaimi, 0, 30.06, 0, 32.49
3: Guiness, Abdulaziz Majid Al Ghanim, 0, 31.71, 0, 33.15