The Medium Tour podium winners pose with the officials.
Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi was once again the rider to beat as the Qatari topped the Big Tour class on the opening day of the 12th and the final leg of the Hathab national equestrian series.
At the indoor arena of Al Shaqab yesterday, the 23-year-old Salmeen astride Guilder’s Empire of the Sun posted the fastest time of 57.52 seconds to emerge triumphant. Salmeen had also stormed to wins in two categories in the 11th and penultimate round of the Hathab held at Souq Waqif fortnight ago. He and Guilder’s Empire of the Sun was once again in their elements yesterday. They combined to a flawless and faultless routine in Table A, One round against the clock (130/140cm) 238.2.1 class event, which earned the rider QR8,250 in prize money. Salmeen, who also competes for Qatar internationally, has missed out on seven legs of Hathab but has dominant in the five including this round. Given his excellent show, he could well be among the top overall finishers tomorrow, when the winners will be declared as the six month long Hathab series come to an end.
Hamad Nasser al-Qadi on S I E C Lonnie was second with a time of 61.19secs. He was followed by Nasser al-Ghazali on Quel Homme in third in a time of 63.73secs.
In the Medium Tour, Mohamed Said Haidan riding mare Applebee took the top spot. The winning time was 62.87secs. The second place went to Mohamed Sultan al-Suwaidi on Numero Uno-T came in 65.63secs while Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al-Thani astride Dollar Van De Zuuthoeve finished third in 69.50secs.
The Small Tour was dominated by Abdulla Rashid al-Amri, who won the One round against the clock (100/115cm) 238.2.1 class event on his mount Cinderella B clocking 50.47secs. Mohammed al-Ghazali on Casanova SCH was second (50.65secs) and Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi third on Daydreamer EC (51.15secs).
The final round of Hathab is a three-day competition and will continue till tomorrow. The best seven results out of the total twelve will be taken into account and accordingly the winners will be announced for each and every category.
Hathab, meaning “Canter” in Arabic, is an initiative of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee.
The Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) and Al Shaqab equestrian centre forged a new alliance to conduct the Hathab series which carries a total prize-money of QR1 million and began in October 2017.
Results
Big Tour, Table A, One round against the clock , Art. 238.2.1, 130/140 cm, Prize Money: QR 30,000
1. Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi. Horse: Guilder’s Empire Of The Sun. Time: 57.52secs. Prize money: QR8,250
2. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi. S I E C Lonnie. 61.19secs. QR6,000
3. Nasser al-Ghazali. Quel Homme. 63.73secs. QR4,500
Medium Tour, Table A, One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1, 120/130 cm, Prize Money: QR20,000
1. Mohamed Said Haidan. Horse: Apple Bee. Time: 62.87secs. Prize money: QR5,000
2. Mohamed Sultan al-Suwaidi. Numero Uno – T. 65.63secs. QR4,000
3. Shiekh Abdulla bin Nasser al-Thani. Dollar Van De Zuuthoeve. 69.50secs. QR3,000
Small Tour, Table A, One round against the clock , Art. 238.2.1, 100/115 cm, Prize Money: QR10,000
1. Abdulla Rashid al-Amri. Horse: Cinderella B. Time: 50.47secs. Prize money: QR2,500
2. Mohammed al-Ghazali. Casanova SCH. 50.65secs. QR2,000
3. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi. Daydreamer EC. 51.15secs. QR1,500
