A third-place finish yesterday was enough for Hamad Nasser al-Qadi to be crowned Big Tour champion as the curtains came down on third season of the Longines Hathab — Qatar Equestrian Tour.
It couldn’t have been scripted better as the tension prevailed at the Qatar Equestrian Arena’s Indoor Arena with al-Qadi and Faleh Suwead al-Ajami battling for the Big Tour honours. While both the riders seemed nervous and committed faults, al-Ajami’s total 12 faults to al-Qadi’s eight proved decisive in the end. Al-Qadi, who went into the final round four points ahead of al-Ajami, finished with 184 points as he led his trusted 15-year-old gelding SIEC Lonnie to third place. Al-Ajami eventually finished fourth yesterday with Carport, but slipped to third overall with 179 points.
Nasser al-Ghazali clinched yesterday’s 12th and final round with Quel Homme, but that was only enough for him to come fourth in the title race. Salman Mohamed al-Emadi surprisingly walked away with overall runners-up trophy after tallying 179 points, as he finished behind al-Ghazali with The Toymaker yesterday.
Al-Qadi was relieved as well as delighted after winning the title. “Despite finishing third in the 12th round, I’m so happy I could still emerge on top. It was not an easy competition and this experience will stand me in good stead moving forward,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Medium tour title went to Mohamed Khalifa al-Baker, who finished second with Verona yesterday. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi triumphed in the final round but had to settle for overall runner-up as he ended four points behind al-Baker. The in-from Mohamed Saeed Haidan came fourth yesterday as his title hopes came crashing down and finished last on the podium  “My aim was to win the Medium Tour title and I’m happy I got to achieve that aim. It was a very satisfying experience,” said al-Baker after his victory.
The Small Tour title was won by Mohamed al-Ghazali, who finished second with Dino BB yesterday. Meanwhile, Maryam Ahmad al-Boinin put on a faultless round with Vol De Nuit Tardonne to clinch the final Small Tour competition.
The team competition annual honours were bagged by the ‘Top Team’ represented by Faleh al-Ajami, Hussein Haidan, Syed al-Abara and Mohamed Abara.
Fahd Abdul-Karim emerged as the overall champion in the Future Riders’ category while Jessica Waldon topped the Dressage (Level 1) competition. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi won the title for dressage (Level 2). It may be noted that the dressage and Future Riders’ competitions were stopped after the 9th Hathab round following the coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking on the successful complettion of the third annual Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab series, Omar al-Mannai, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee said that this year Hathab faced difficulties because of the pandemic but they overrode the challenges after a four-month long break with enthusiasm, steadfastness and ambition.


Results
Big Tour: Table A, Two rounds with jump off (2nd Rnd), Art. 273.3.4.1+ 4.4 (130/145cm); Prize-Money: QR40,000
1. Nasser al-Ghazali; Quel Homme; 0; 56.10secs; 0; 31.64secs; QR11,200
2. Salman Mohamed al-Emadi; The Toymaker; 0; 57.64secs; 0; 32.45secs; QR9,200
3. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi; SIEC Lonnie; 4; 57.86secs; 8; QR7,000.
Medium Tour: Table A, Two rounds with jump off (2nd Rnd), Art. 273.3.4.1+ 4.4 (120/130cm); Prize-Money: QR20,000
1. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi; Jazz De Semilly KZ (Dupli); 0; 45.62secs; 4; 32.85secs; QR5,500
2. Mohamed Khalifa al-Baker; Verona; 0; 43.72secs; 4; 33.12secs; QR4,500
3. Jaber Rashid al-Amri; Canavaro De Muze (E.T.); 0; 44.58secs; 0; el; QR3,500
Small Tour: Table A, Two rounds with jump off (2nd Rnd), Art. 273.3.4.1+ 4.4 (100/115cm), Prize-Money: QR15,000
1. Rider: Maryam Ahmad al-Boinin; Horse: Vol De Nuit Tardonne; Faults: 0; Time: 48.36secs; Jump-Off Faults: 8; Time: 33.13secs; Prize: QR4,125
2. Mohamed al-Ghazali; Dino BB; 0; 44.74secs; 8; 34.67secs; QR3,375
3. Mohamed Nasser al-Qadi; Vlacido; 0; 45.97secs; 4; QR2,625
    
Overall Standings
Big Tour: 1. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi 184pts; 2. Salman Mohamed al-Emadi 179; 3. Faleh Suwead al-Ajami 178; 4. Nasser al-Ghazali 176; 5.  Khalid Mohamed al-Emadi 175
Medium Tour: 1. Mohamed Khalifa al-Baker 193pts; 2. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi 187; 3. Mohamed Saeed Haidan 184; 4. Mohamed Hazim Abara 175; 5. Alqaqa Adel Nassar 170.
Small Tour: 1. Mohamed al-Ghazali 191pts; 2. Khalifa Abdulla al-Khaldi 188.5; 3. Mohamed Nasser al-Qadi 186.5; 4. Ali Mohamed al-Marri 162, 5. Abdulaziz Ghanim al-Nuami 158.