Nasser claims overall Hathab Series title

Nasser al-Ghazali clinched the Big Tour overall title in style by winning the feature event of the 12th and final leg of the Hathab Series yesterday. At Al Shaqab’s indoor arena, al-Ghazali piloted the 15-year-old gelding Quel Homme to victory, which earned the Qatari rider the overall title of the inaugural national equestrian tour. It was a close affair as Hamad Nasser al-Qadi threw his hat in the ring but he finished second on the night with St. Lucia, three points behind al-Ghazali. A victory yesterday in the final leg of the Big Tour class fetched 30 points. In a thrilling finale, both al-Ghazali and al-Qadi needed a victory to walk away with the overall title. And it was al-Ghazali who held his nerves to emerge triumphant and finish with 177 points to al-Qadi’s 174. Rashid Towaim al-Marri, who finished sixth yesterday, with 12-year-old mare Beyonce, was third overall with 171 points. Even a second-place finish would have given al-Marri the title. In the final event, Cyrine Cherif took the third spot with Gerlin Vd Waterkant.  The Medium Tour overall title was won by Saeed Nasser al-Qadi, despite the rider not taking part in the final leg of the series. Saeed tallied 187 points and had already wrapped up the title in 10th leg. The final leg of the Medium Tour was won by Ahmed Mohamed al-Badi, who guided Wadi Rum D D H to fastest time. Jaber Rashid al-Amri (Jazly) came second, while Sheikh Abdulla Bin Nasser al-Thani (Dollar Van De Zuuthoeve) was third.In the Small Tour class, Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi finished second yesterday but it was enough for the rider to seal the overall title. Ghanim and his trusted horse Daydreamer EC came clear in 29.61secs in jump-off.Mohamed al-Ghazali came second Ghanim overall but was victorious in the final leg, as he led Michael Jackson to fastest time jump-off in 28.04secs. Mohamed Nasser al-Qadi was third with Vlacido.Meanwhile, Hamad Bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah, Chairman of the Asian and Qatari Equestrian Federation, was pleased with the success of the inaugural Hathab series. He pointed out that the 12-leg championship had achieved its goal and will be developed for the better next year. “I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the success of the Hathab series,” al-Attiyah said.On the increase of the prize money – which was QR1mn this year – al-attiyah said: “All aspects of the championship will be studied further and we will decide on the prize money in due course. We are keen that the series goes further in popularity and will take steps to ensure that.”ResultsBig Tour, Table A, Two rounds with jump off (2n Rounds), Art. 273.3.4.1+ 4.4+2.2, 130/140 cm, Prize Money QAR 60,0001. Nasser al-Ghazali. Horse: Quel Homme. Time: 76.13secs. Prize money: QR16,800 2. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi. St. Lucia. 72.71secs. QR13,500 3. Cyrine Cherif. Gerlin Vd Waterkant. 78.63secs. QR10,500Comp. (12) Medium Tour, Table A, Two rounds with jump off (2nd Round), Art. 273.3.4.1+ 4.4+2.2, 120/130 cm, Prize Money:QR40,0001. Ahmed Mohamed al-Badi. Horse: Wadi Rum D D H. Time: 74.90secs. Jump off: 36.44secs. Prize money: QR11,0002. Jaber Rashid al-Amri. Jazly. 72.54secs. Jump off: 41.95secs. QR9,000 3. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Nasser al-Thani. Dollar Van De Zuuthoeve. 69.34secs. QR7,000Small Tour, Table A, Two rounds with jump off (2nd Rond), Art. 273.3.4.1+ 4.4+2.2, 100/115 cm, Prize Money QAR 25,0001. Mohammed al-Ghazali. Horse: Michael Jackson. Time: 55.84secs. Jump off: 28.04secs. Prize money: QR6,250 2. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi. Daydreamer EC. 53.39secs. jump off: 29.61secs.  QR5,0003. Mohamed Nasser al-Qadi. Vlacido. 53.60secs. QAR 3,750.00Dressage Level 1 - Test C, Prize Money: QR10,000 1 Ali Mohamed al-Marri. Fernhill Friendly Touch. Score: 67.500. Prize money: QR2,8002. Jessica Waldon. Lusso Del Castegno. 66.071. QR2,300 3. Saeed Hamad al-Rashdi. Graffiti de Lully CH. 65.000. QR1,750Dressage Level 2 - Test C, Prize Money: QR5,0001. Mennatallah Hesham Mourad. Horse: Quick Dance. Score: 67.500. Prize money: QR1,400 2.  Maryam Ahmed Alsemaitt. Jana. 63.750. QR1,150 3. Aisha Ahmed al-Ahmadi. Juste D’adaelle. 61.667. QR875