CHI AL SHAQAB the signature event of Al Shaqab,witnessed an action-packedopening

March 7, Doha

It is the sixth edition of CHI Al SHAQAB, which comprises the Olympic disciplines of Showjumping, Dressage and Para Dressage, and has attracted the leading riders from Qatar and around the world to take part in the three-day event, which ends March 9.

It was a great day for Julian Epaillard of France, who emerged the clear winner in the CSI5* 1.50m showjumping class. His victory follows his triumph at the  Longines Global Champions Tour 2019 that concluded last weekend at Al Shaqab. Together with his stallion, Virtuose Champeix, he clinched first place in 58.86 sec, adding 23.375,00 Euro to his winnings.

Epaillard said: “I am very happy. I saw Yuri Mansur in the lead and so tried to be faster. It worked and it is a fantastic day for me. I took a risk and it worked. Al Shaqab has one of the best facilities for horses and riders and I enjoy competing here.”

Jos Verlooy of Belgium jumped to first place in the CSI5* 1.45m showjumping class. Verlooy and his stallion, Caracas, completed the two phases with no faults, finishing in 33.77 seconds to win first place and prize money of 6,250 Euro.

Verlooy said: “It was great to win. My horse jumped super. He decided to go faster the first day – that was my plan, so that was good. Al Shaqab has an unbelievable stadium, the facilities are super for the riders and horses. It’s my fourth time here and I really like to come here (to participate). I’m looking forward to the Grand Prix on Saturday.”

Geir Gulliksen of Norway came second on VDL Groep Quatro with a time of 34.93 seconds to earn prize money of 5,000 Euro.

Simon Delestre of France and Filou Carlo Zimequest finished third with a time of 35.10 seconds to win prize money of 3,750 Euro.

Four Qatari riders took part in the competition: Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani on Sirocco, Bassem Hassan Mohammed on Argelith Squid, Salmen Sultan Al Suwaidi on Cantaro 32 and Faleh Suwead Al Ajami on Carport.

Earlier, the day began with the Para Dressage competition at Al Shaqab’s state-of-the-art equestrian facilities. Allowing for fair competition and to create the opportunity for riders of all skills to achieve their goals in equestrian sport ,the competitionwas conducted in grades depending on the disability, according to FEI (International Equestrian Federation) standards.

Participants of the Al Shaqab Inter-nations Camp conducted by the center’s Equine Education Department, had an intense day as the second and final round of qualifications were conducted.

In the lead was Team Barzan -led by Qatari rider Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi with Oliver George Tuff from Great Britain and Abdulaziz Ghanim Al Nuaimi from Qatar also part of the team.

In a fairly close second place was Zekreet, a team comprising Ali Mohammed Al Qadi of Qatar, Gautier Lenoir from France and Henning Josef Athens of Germany.

The best individual timing was achieved by Fraser Hayden Reed,of Great Britain, who completed his course in 66.17 seconds with no faults.

Mohammed Sultan Al Suwaidi, Manager, Equine Education Department at Al Shaqab, said: “Al Shaqab is dedicated to providing the highest level of equestrian education programs and services. The focus of this camp is not merely on improving the height a rider can clear. Besides regular lessons and training sessions, we have lined up several unique activities to help them acquire important leadership and communication skills. Some of the top riders from CHI Al SHAQAB 2019, including Scott Brash, Nicola Philippaert, Marlon Zanotelli and Bassem Mohammed will provide a clinic for the participants.”

Also held as part of CHI AL SHAQAB 2019 yesterday was the Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab (Dressage Level 1 and Level 2).

Tickets for the second and final days of CHI AL SHAQAB 2019 are available from the Al Shaqab website, www.alshaqab.com, and from the venue ticket office.

Results (Rider, Country, Horse, Points, Prize Money):

Showjumping CSI5* Table A 1.50m Total Prize Money 93,500 Euro

Julien Epaillard (France) Virtuose Champeix, Time: 58.86s, Prize Money: 23,375 Euro

Yuri Mansur (Brazil) Carlson. Time: 61.19s. Prize Money: 18,700 Euro

Kevin Staut (France), Viking d’La Rousserie. Time: 61.43s. Prize Money: 14,025 Euro

Para Dressage:

Grade I

Laurentia Yen-Yi Tan (Singapore)  Florenzius S.Points: 73.988.

Grade II

Julie Payne (Great Britain) Pandora.Points: 66.364.

Grade III

Annemarieke Roling–Nobel(Netherlands) Doo Schufro. Points: 68.2235.

Grade IV

Rodolpho Riskalla (Brazil) Don Henrico.Points: 72.167.

Grade V

Ciska Vermeulen (Belgium) Rohmeo. Points:69.922.

Al Shaqab Inter-nations Camp

1^st place:

Team: Barzan. Total Time: 149.28. Total Faults: 0.

Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi – Qatar

Oliver George Tuff –Great Britain

Abdulaziz Ghanim Al Nuaimi – Qatar

2^nd Place:

Team: Zekreet.Total Time: 144.6. Total Faults: 4.

Ali Mohammed Al Qadi –Qatar

Gautier Lenoir – France

Henning Josef Athens – Germany

3^rd Place:

Team: Al Maida.Total Time: 146.43.Total Faults: 4.

Khalifa Hamad Al Jaber – Qatar

Fraser Hayden Reed – Great Britain

Talal Abushosha –Palestine

AL SHAQAB – A World Class Facility

Since its establishment in 1992, AL SHAQAB’s vision was to build on Qatar’s Arabian horse heritage and be a leading global centre for equine professionals while providing an engaging experience for the community. Global leadership has not only meant preserving, improving and promoting the Arabian horse breed, but also encouraging  the community in this unique, traditional cultural sport.

Today, AL SHAQAB’s impressive facilities, which are distinctively designed in the shape of a horseshoe, cover 980, 000 square metres. With a state-of-the-art Main Arena comprising both an indoor and outdoor venue capable of holding over 5000 spectators, AL SHAQAB is part of Qatar’s growing reputation on the world stage that showcases its ability to host major international sports event at the highest level.