Doha,March,30: Qatar’s Hamad Ali Al Attiyah and Abdulrahman Al Saaq Al Marri clinched the first two places in the Small Tour (CSI 3*) at the CHI Al Shaqab 2013.
A total of 28 riders took part in the Small Tour (CSI 3*), one of the three classes of showjumping, which kicked started the second day’s proceedings
at Al Shaqab, the heart of Qatar’s equestrian sports community, to compete in three classes of showjumping.
An ecstatic Hamad Ali Al Attiyah commented on winning: “I am delighted I won first place – what a fantastic achievement. And the Qataris are the youngest competitors at CHI Al Shaqab.”
“I am really impressed with the whole competition. The facilities are great. The event has been really well organised. I am looking forward to riding again this afternoon in the Medium Tour,” Hamad added.
Second-placed Abdulrahman Al Saaq Al Marri spoke about his delight at finishing runner-up in the competition.
“It’s a great feeling being a winner,” he said.
“What makes it even more special is winning in front of a home crowd. I’m also really proud of the other Qatari riders who are competing.”
Later, 46 riders participated in the Medium Tour (CSI 3*), a two-phase competition with an integrated jump-off against the clock.
The day came to a close with the CSI 5* Big Tour, which saw 40 riders compete in the prestigious final event, among them Ludger Beerbaum of Germany, Scott Brash of United Kingdom, Denis Lynch of Ireland) and Steve Guerdat of Switzerland, the reigning Olympic Champion.
Today’s events kick off at 2.00pm with show jumping in Al Shaqab’s main arena.
Meanwhile, in addition to a feast of high-octane showjumping and dressage action, CHI Al Shaqab has the pleasure of showcasing another, less well-known equestrian sport – vaulting.
Vaulting is a rapidly growing discipline which can best be described as ‘gymnastics on a moving horse’.
German team coach and former competitor Jessica Schmitz, together with a team of 10 vaulters between the ages of 10 and 25 years old, will be showcasing their talents in three special displays which take place today and tomorrow between 4:00-6:00pm, with the exact times and location to be confirmed.
Two riders – one male and one female – will ride as individuals, while the remaining eight will take part in a team display. Schmitz has brought two horses to the show – a 15-year-old gelding called Arkansos, a stalwart of the team who has been to the World Championships, and a less-experienced, eight-year-old, mare called Delia.
Schmitz said, “We are all so pleased to be here and to bring our sport to this country. Everyone has been so welcoming and we look forward to presenting our sport to the audience here in CHI Al Shaqab.”
Vaulting is an all-year-round sport, and can take place in both indoor or outdoor arenas.
CHI Al Shaqab Venue Director Dr Andras Tatar commented, “We are delighted to have Jessica Schmitz and her team here in Doha, bringing an extra dimension to the show. I am sure everyone will agree that it is an excellent display which gives a great insight into the sport. We hope that this will be the start of great things to come for vaulting in Doha.”
source:
Qatar chronicle
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