CHI Al Shaqab has always been a go-to event for the riders in the equestrian world. And once again the leading riders of the world are in attendance for the prestigious equestrian competition, which begins today at the magnificent Al Shaqab arena.
This year’s event assumes even more significance. This is the 25th year since the inception of Al Shaqab, which has become a leading global centre for equine professionals. So understandably the excitement level is on a high among the organisers and riders.
CHI Al Shaqab is itself in just its fifth year but in short time has become a major equestrian event. Six of the top-10 ranked riders will be in attendance over the next three days, with the competition offering three and five-star showjumping, as well as international dressage and para dressage. It is the only para dressage competition in the Arab world.
In showjumping, World No.1 Daniel Deusser will be hoping to better his second place finish at last year’s Grand Prix. The German will be one of 50 riders and their elite horses eyeing Saturday’s big money event.
The 35-year-old Deusser’s closest challenger will be compatriot and second-ranked Christian Ahlmann, who finished third in Doha in 2016 Grand Prix. The other top 10 riders in the field are Simon Delestre (France), Kevin Staut (France), Marcus Ehning (Germany) and Scott Brash (Britain).
Brash, the 2012 Olympic champion, has been to Doha few times and is expecting a high class competition. “All the top quality riders and horses come here, so it will be challenging with some technical courses. I think the Grand Prix will be of high standard. There are some riders in great form and anyone can win,” said Brash, who will be on mount Hello Annie, Hello M’Lord and Ursula XII this weekend.
“I find the competition fascinating in Chi Al Shaqab. It provides an excellent opportunity for me to compete with other leading competitors and to test my horses in a rather unique climate. I am fascinated by the venue here and our horses are well taken care of throughout the event,” added the Scottish jumper.  
Brash also tipped Qatar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani to be a strong contender. Sheikh Ali has been in fine form recently, having tasted double success with his 11-year-old Mare, Carolina 31.
The pair won at the HH The Emir’s Sword International Showjumping championship on Saturday, and had also triumphed at the Al Rayyan Championship in December at the Qatar Equesterian Federation arena.
Sheikh Ali, who finished sixth at the Rio Olympics last year, will be hoping Carolina 31 and his other ride First Devision will help his good run continue.
The other Qatari riders who will be in action are Bassem Hassan Mohamed, Faleh Suwead al-Ajami, Hamad al-Attiyah and Khalid al-Emadi.
Meanwhile, Patrik Kittel of Sweden won both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle test last year, and he will look to repeat the feat this time too. Other dressage riders to watch out include world No. 1 Isabell Werth and Carl Hester of Britain, number five, and sixth-ranked Inessa Merkulova of Russia. Several riders will be defending their 2016 crowns in para-dressage, including 1b winner Nicole Den Dulk, III winner Rixt van der Horst (both from Netherlands), and Philippa Johnson-Dwyer of South Africa, who won the Freestyle III.
Claudia Dorpmans, the Belgian Dressage rider, is competing at CHI Al Shaqab for the first time and she was excited for the weekend.
“This is my first time attending Chi Al Shaqab. I am excited for the competition to start and to experience competing among the world’s top athletes. I would like to thank Al Shaqab and the competition’s organizers for inviting me here and providing us with such an amazing facility. We are pleased that our horses are being looked after so well,” Dorpmans said.
Like last year, Doha Tour will run concurrently with the other international competitions at Al Shaqab. The three star event is part of Qatar Equestrian Federation’s calendar and will competitions will be held in CSI3*.
Today’s competition begins at
9:30am in the outdoor arena with jumping 3*. Para-dressage follows at 10:45am in the indoor arena, and riders will compete in classes based on the extent of their physical or visual disabilities. Jumping 3* continues at 12:45pm, and jumping 5* begins at 3 pm, also in the outdoor arena.  
Khalifa al-Attiya, Al Shaqab Executive Director, said: “This year’s competition brings together riders from more countries than ever before, and we are expecting the highest levels of sportsmanship to be on display.”
Other than watching top riders in action, spectators can look forward to number of exciting activities during the competition.  

THE SCHEDULE
Today
9:30 am: Jumping CSI 3*, outdoor arena
10:45 am: Para-Dressage CPEDI 3*, indoor arena
12:30 pm: Jumping CSI 3*, outdoor arena
3:30 pm: Jumping CSI 5*, outdoor arena
6:30 pm: Jumping CSI 5*, outdoor arena

Tomorrow
8:30 am: Para-Dressage CPEDI 3*, indoor arena
9:30 am: Jumping CSI 3*, outdoor arena
2:30 pm: Jumping CSI 3*, outdoor arena
3 pm: Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix, indoor arena
4:45 pm: Jumping CSI 5*, outdoor arena
7:15 pm: Jumping CSI 5*, outdoor arena
 
Saturday
8:30 am: Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix Special, indoor arena
9 am: Jumping CSI 3*, outdoor arena
10:15 am: Para-Dressage CPEDI 3*, indoor arena
11:30 am: Jumping CSI 5*, outdoor arena
2:15 pm: Jumping CSI 3*, outdoor arena
2:30 pm: Dressage CDI 5*, Grand Prix Freestyle, indoor arena
5:00 pm: Jumping CSI 5*, Grand Prix, outdoor arena

Qatar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani (left) will be one of the strong contenders at CHI Al Shaqab. Picture on right shows Omar al-Mannai (centre), event director of Chi Al Shaqab with para-dressage riders Pepo Puch (third right) of Austria, Claudia Dorpmans of Belgium, British show jumper Scott Brash (right) and other officials. Picture: Lotfi Garsi