Alkass Digital
The stage is set for another exciting series when the fifth season of the Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour will kick off on October 15, the organising committee announced yesterday.
All the technical and logistical preparations have been taken care of and the venue facilities have been upgraded taking into account the health precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 during the events, the joint organisers of the hugely popular series, Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) and Al Shaqab, announced yesterday.
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The action will take place at the Qatar Equestrian Federation Arena and the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab starting from next month and will continue until May 2022. The 14-round series will include various events at different heights of show jumping and dressage competitions for three groups of riders, Big, Medium and Small Tours.
Longines, ExxonMobil and Salam International are the main partners of the Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour.
It is worth noting that the organising committee has added two extra rounds for this season from 12 to 14, in response to the increasing demand of riders to participate in the competitions. The increase of rounds will enable the local riders to prepare for the international championships listed in the Qatar Equestrian Federation calendar, as well as to accommodate the steady increase in the number of participating riders from the season to another.
It will also providing a greater opportunity for equestrian sports lovers in Qatar to enjoy the atmosphere of the competitions and the accompanying events and to see their favourite riders in action.
Ali bin Yousef Al Rumaihi, Event Director of the Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour, said: “After the challenges we faced during the fourth season of the championship due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organising committee is pleased to announce that the 2021/2022 season will start on schedule. It will include 14 rounds instead of 12. The increase in the number of rounds came as a result of the constant increase in popularity of the tournament since its launch in 2017. This is evident by the high level of partners and sponsors that the tournament attracts. We thank them for their support to the development of equestrian sport in Qatar."
“Qatar Equestrian Tour plays a vital role in the equestrian community as the leading local competition series in the country. It is aimed at inspiring the new generation of riders in Qatar and encouraging them to become global champions as well as raising awareness on equestrianism as part of the history of Qatar and its ancient traditions,"Al Rumaihi said.
“We are also witnessing a growing interest in equestrian sports, particularly among the youth of Qatar. This interest must be nurtured and promoted, and we are confident that the Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour will continue to provide a platform for Qatari riders to showcase their talents and inspire equestrian enthusiasts," Al Rumaihi said.