Her Highness Crowns Winner of CHI AL SHAQAB International Equestrian Competition

Alshaqab – Doha

Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) SheikhaMozabint Nasser crowned Pieter Devos winner of the CHI AL SHAQAB 2019 International Equestrian Competition.

The three-day event was organized by Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation. It had three separate competitions;Showumping, Dressage, and Para Dressage. A number of the world’s best riders participated in the event.

President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned second-place winner Nicola Philippaerts, while Alistair Routledge, President and General Manager for ExxonMobil Qatar, crowned third-place winner EmanueleGaudiano.

Spectators were treated to a spectacular display of equestrian sport yesterday (March 9).The CSI 5* Showjumping 1.60m Grand Prix with Jump Off involved three difficult rounds. Top honors went toDevos of Belgium, who cleared all three rounds with no faults. Devosand his gelding, Espoir, sailed over thechallenging obstacles in 42.18 sec, winning135,300€.

Commenting on his win, Devos said: “We had three difficult rounds today, but they were horse-friendly and I appreciate that. My horse has been jumping well for the last two weeks. He had some good rest earlier this week and he jumped very well today. I am a very happy man.”

Qatari riderBassem Hassan Mohammed delighted the crowd with his smooth, fluid jumping, but unfortunately had to settle for fourth place following one fault.

Earlier in the day, Pius Schwizer of Switzerland triumphed in the CSI 5* Table C, 1.45m showjumping class in a time of 58,56s. Schwizer and his gelding, Living The Dream, cleared their obstacles without penalties, in what proved to be a closely fought competition.

Commenting on his performance, Schwizer said: “It was a very tough competition. There were many fast riders and it was a close call, but Living The Dream was super. He is in good form and very fast. Al Shaqab is great. It is like Hollywood for me and I like participating here.”

Speaking at the closing press conference, Omar Al Mannai, Al Shaqab Commercial Director and CHI AL SHAQAB 2019 Event Director, said: “”We are very happy that CHI AL SHAQAB 2019 has proven to be such a success for everyone, from riders to spectators, but we’re also sad in such moments because it means saying goodbye to the event and everyone involved until the next time.

“Congratulations to the winners. Unfortunately, (Qatar rider) Bassem (Mohammed) had one fault and couldn’t be on the podium. Next time perhaps will be better.”

Mannai also mentioned the importance of Al Shaqab’s partnership with ExxonMobil, who have signed on to remain the main sponsor of CHI AL SHAQAB, saying the oil and gas company “provides support to Al Shaqab across many areas, including education”.

The day began with the Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix Special. Henri Ruoste of Finland earned71.915 points to take first place,staying well ahead of his competition. Thrilled about his win, Ruoste said: “I’m so excited. I’m very happy with the horse and with everything here at Al Shaqab. It’s a beautiful place – one of the most beautiful places in the world to ride and compete. Everything is perfectly organized and there’s nothing more that any rider could ask for.”

Borja Carrascosaof Spain and hishorse Icaro MG Ein Tarum 2trotted their way to first place  in the Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music class.

Carrascosa said: “I am super happy! To win in this big show is like a dream. My horse cooperated very well with me.This place is amazing, you cannot find a place like this in Europe or in the rest of the world. It’s really a privilege to be here.”

In the Para Dressage CPEDI 3* Freestyle event held earlier in the day, Rodolpho Riskalla of Brazil,competing in Grade IV,enjoyed a clear victory. It representeda hat trick of wins for the Brazilan,as he earnedfirst place in all three events held for his grade during CHI AL SHAQAB 2019. Riskalla is currently ranked as the top rider in his category by the Fédération Équestre Internationale.

Speaking about his remarkable performance, an ecstatic Riskalla said: “It’s been amazing. This is my first para dressage event since the World Equestrian Games 2018. Winning at CHI AL SHAQAB 2019 helps with my qualification (ranking) fornext year’s Tokyo Olympics. So, this win has been really good, and my horse was amazing.

“This is the first time I’m participating in CHI AL SHAQAB. This place is so impressive,and I would like to thank the organisers and sponsors for this great show. This is a five-star place for both the horse and the rider. It’s unbelievable. Events like this one are very important to equestrian sports.”

Running alongside CHI AL SHAQAB 2019 over the three-day period was the Qatar Equestrian TourHathab series. Competitions were held in dressage and showjumping in different classes, with the events leading up to the Open Class and the Big Touryesterday.

The Inter-nations Camp held for talented junior riders from Qatar, Asia and the Middle East also concluded officially yesterday with participants receiving their certificates in a ceremony at Al Shaqab. Conducted by the Equine Education Department of Al Shaqab, the camp was hailed as a success by participants.

CHI stands for Concours Hippique International or “Equestrian International Competition”, and CHI AL SHAQAB is the first equestrian competition of its kind in the Middle East and Asia region to be sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation. Regularly attracting the best athletes and horses from around the world since its inception in 2013, it is one of only five annual international equestrian events to showcase three or more equestrian disciplines.

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

Showjumping CSI5* Grand Prix Two Rounds with Jump Off 1.60m. Total Prize Money 410,000.00€

1^st Place:Pieter Devos(Belgium) Espoir. Time: 42.18s, Prize Money: 135,300.00€

2^nd Place:Nicola Philippaerts(Belgium),H&MChilli Willi, Time: 44.42. Prize Money: 82,000.00 €.

3^rd Place:Emanuele Gaudiano(Italy), Chalou, Time: 42.74, Faults: 4, Prize Money: 43,050.00€

Showjumping CSI5* Table C 1.45m.Total Prize Money 25.000 €

1^st Place:Pius Schwizer (Switzerland),Living The Dream, Time: 58.56, Prize Money: 6.250,0€

2^nd Place:Alberto Zorzi (Italy),Danique, Time: 58.68, Prize Money: 5.000,00 €.

3^rd Place:Karel Cox (Belgium), Evert, Time: 58.93s, Prize Money: 3.750,00 €

Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix Special. Total Prize Money:27.300,00 €

1^st Place:Henri Ruoste (Finland), Rossetti, Points: 71.915

2^nd Place: Nicole Vazquez Kremer (Spain), Wonder,Points: 68.745

3^rdPlace: Insa Hansen (Germany),Diamonds Diva, Points: 67.277

Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music. Total Prize Money 70,000.00 €

1^st Place:Borja Carrascosa (Spain),Ein Traum 2, Points: 75.375

2^nd Place:Juan MatuteGuimon (Spain),Don Diego,Points: 75.250

3^rdPlace:Morgan Barbancon Mestre (France),Sir Donnerhall II Old, Points: 74.875

Para Dressage:

Grade I

Katja Karjalainen  (Finland),  Dr Doolittle, Points: 73.945

Grade II

Nicole den Dulk (Netherlands),Wallace N.O.P., Points: 73.500

Grade III

Roberta Sheffield (Canada),Fairuza,Points: 70.167

Grade IV

Rodolpho Riskalla (Brazil), Don Henrico,Points: 76.125

Grade V

FrankHosmar (Netherlands),Guetta,Points: 76.250

Hathab Tour Open Class -2 Ph – 1.15 / 1.25m

1^st Place:Mohammed Khalifa Albaker (Qatar),Arselina,Time: 24.95s

2^nd Place:Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi (Qatar),Ambre de Beaufour,Time: 24.96s

3^rd Place:Abdulrahman Adel Nassar(Qatar),Dubaii, Time: 26.00s

Hathab Big Tour –Jump Off – 1.30 / 1.45m

1^st Place:Cyrine Cherif (France),GerlinVdWaterkant,Faults: 0,Time: 39.78s

2^nd Place:Faleh Suwead Al Ajami(Qatar) Ulano,Faults: 0,Time: 43.38s

3^rd Place:Saeed Nasser Al Qadi (Qatar) Daydreamer EC,Faults: 4,Time: 35.08s

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.