Preparations in full swing for Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab

With just a few days to go before the start of this year’s Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines – the 10th edition of the equestrian centre’s signature annual event, to be held at its world-famous Longines Arena from February 23 to 25 – final preparations are now well underway. The competition will showcase outstanding equestrianism from the very best regional and international riders and horses as they battle for top honours in showjumping, dressage or para-dressage.
Among the elite riders to watch out for at this year’s Chi Al Shaqab, will be last year’s showjumping Grand Prix winner Marcus Ehning from Germany. The field also includes Christian Ahlmann (2021 winner), Ludger Beerbaum (winner in 2014 and 2016), and Pieter Devos (2019 winner).
The high-quality showjumping roster features four of the current top 10 riders in the FEI world rankings – Harrie Smolders (ranked 4), Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (ranked 7), Maikel van der Vleuten (ranked 8) and Kevin Staut (ranked 10).
In the Dressage events, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel returns to Doha, after winning the Freestyle competition in 2020 and finishing as runner-up last year. The Para-Dressage competition welcomes new riders, as well as previous winners including Pepo Puch (Austria), Kevin van Ham (Belgium) and four-time champion, the Netherlands’ Rixt van der Horst. Rising stars who may catch your eye include Jeanne Sadran (France) and Jack Whitaker (Britain) in the showjumping, as well as Juan Matute (Spain) and Evelyn Eger (Germany) in the Dressage events.
In total, 91 world-class riders from 28 countries, including Palestine, will take part in this year’s CHI Al Shaqab – with riders gathering from nations as diverse as Mexico and Morocco, Lithuania and Japan.
Competing for Qatar is Wejdan al-Malki, on her 18-year-old purebred bay Spanish stallion, Mango Jacaro. Qatar’s leading dressage rider achieved 7th place in the same event at last year’s CDI Gran Prix Special. In the showjumping, Faleh al-Ajami and Salmen al-Suwaidi, will represent Qatar.
Perhaps the most unusual and inspiring story is that of Palestine’s Dressage rider, Diana al-Shaer, who will compete on her 15-year-old Portuguese mare, Unzalee de Massa. Diana was born in Russia, to a Palestinian father who had emigrated there in 1975. She originally competed for the Russian Federation but, after a trip to Palestine in 2017, felt compelled to switch her allegiance.
Diana said: “When I visited Palestine and saw the conditions in which people live and the difficulties they face, I could not refuse the Palestinian Equestrian Federation’s request to represent my second homeland in the international arena. I saw many talented riders there who have a great desire and motivation, but no opportunities. I want to do everything in my power to help, at least by raising the profile of Palestinian equestrian sport.”
The event is supported by title sponsor Commercial Bank; presenting partner Longines and main sponsor ExxonMobil. The event’s additional supporters are Qatar Tourism (official sponsor), Vodafone Qatar (telecom partner), Gulfcrafts (space branding partner), Equine Veterinary Medical Center (official veterinary partner) and Aspetar (official medical partner).
The event will also offer spectators the chance to enjoy a wide range of cultural, educational and entertainment activities suitable for all the family: pony rides, live music, dance shows, arcade games, arts & crafts, face painting, puppet shows, a clown duo, children’s contests, magic shows, PlayStation games, virtual reality experiences and much more.
Given its importance on the global equestrian calendar, as one of just five CHI-accredited competitions worldwide and the only one of its kind in the Middle East and Asia regions, hosting this event is testament to the excellence of Qatar’s premier equestrian centre as a venue for top-class equestrian sports.
The 10,000-capacity Arena at Al Shaqab has successfully hosted this event for a decade now, along with many other local and international equestrian competitions. Tickets for the three-day event are available at www.alshaqab.com and www.q-tickets.com