Wathnan Riders Prepare for the Asian Challenge in Japan
- Faleh Al Ajami and Bassem Mohammed lead Qatar’s show jumping ambitions in Japan
Mdmar – Japan
Qatar’s equestrian community is turning its attention to Japan in the coming days as the national team prepares to compete at the 20th Asian Games, Aichi–Nagoya 2026, which will be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
Qatar will have a strong presence in the equestrian competitions, particularly in show jumping, with two of the leading riders from the Wathnan Jumping Team, Faleh Suwead Al Ajami and Bassem Mohammed, set to represent the country.
International Programme
The Asian Games participation comes at a time when Wathnan riders have been following an intensive international programme, competing in numerous European events throughout the current season.
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As a result, the Qatari duo of Faleh Al Ajami and Bassem Mohammed arrive at the Asian Games following a long period of competition and preparation at a high international level.
The Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation has confirmed Qatar’s show jumping squad for the 2026 Asian Games, comprising Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani, Sheikh Fahad bin Jassim Al Thani, Faleh Suwead Al Ajami and Bassem Mohammed.
Qatar will compete in three equestrian disciplines: show jumping, dressage and eventing, with a delegation of riders and horses prepared through an extensive training programme and summer camps.
Extensive Experience
The presence of Faleh Al Ajami and Bassem Mohammed provides a significant boost to the Qatari team, particularly given the extensive experience both riders have accumulated at the highest levels of international competition.
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Faleh Suwead Al Ajami has competed throughout the current season with several Wathnan horses, including Wathnan Quatro, Wathnan Qabala and Wathnan Gimondi.
His European campaign continued until only a few days ago, with international appearances in Belgium during September. According to his FEI record, the Qatari rider has made more than 1,000 international show jumping starts and also has extensive experience at the Asian Games.
Bassem Mohammed has likewise enjoyed a strong European season aboard horses carrying the Wathnan colours, most notably Wathnan Essim, alongside Wathnan Chakball, Wathnan F One USA and others.
Bassem has competed at five-star level and on the Longines Global Champions Tour. One of his standout results this season was victory with Wathnan Essim in the CSI4* Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez, before continuing his international campaign through to Valkenswaard in September.
Qatar Aims to Build on Hangzhou Achievement
The participation of Faleh Al Ajami and Bassem Mohammed carries added significance, as both riders were part of the Qatari team that won the team show jumping silver medal at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games.
That team included Faleh Al Ajami, Bassem Mohammed, Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani and Rashid Towaim Al Marri.
Qatar reached a three-way jump-off against Saudi Arabia and the UAE before eventually finishing second and securing the silver medal.
Faleh Al Ajami also finished ninth individually in the show jumping competition in Hangzhou, giving him direct experience of managing the technical and psychological pressure associated with Asian Games competition.
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Bassem Mohammed also has considerable Asian Games experience. He was part of the Qatari team that claimed the team bronze medal at Jakarta 2018 alongside Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani, while Sheikh Ali also secured the individual silver medal at that edition of the Games.
Qatar therefore enters the 2026 competition with a squad featuring riders who have previously reached Asian Games podiums — an important factor in a team competition where consistency and minimising faults throughout every round are crucial.
October 1 – The Decisive Day for the Team Competition
According to the updated official equestrian schedule, the team show jumping final will take place on Thursday, October 1, consisting of two rounds followed by the medal ceremony.
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The individual competition will then begin on October 3, with the final rounds and individual medal ceremony scheduled for October 4, the closing day of the Asian Games.
Show jumping will take place at the Equestrian Park in Setagaya, Tokyo, rather than in Nagoya itself.
The venue is one of Japan’s best-known equestrian facilities and previously hosted equestrian competitions at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964 and 2021. It was reopened in 2023 following redevelopment work.
Intensive Preparation Ahead of Japan
The Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation explained that preparations for the Asian Games included training camps extending throughout the summer, with particular focus on improving the physical and technical readiness of both riders and horses and adapting them to the demands of the competition.
For the Wathnan riders, the recent European circuit has played an important role in that preparation.
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Faleh Al Ajami and Bassem Mohammed have competed over courses measuring between 1.50m and 1.60m at high-level international events, providing them with continuous top-level competition ahead of the continental championship.
Wathnan’s Presence Extends Beyond the European Circuit
The Asian Games represent a different type of challenge for Wathnan riders.
In regular international competitions, riders compete according to their respective sporting programmes and team commitments. In Japan, however, Faleh Al Ajami and Bassem Mohammed will enter the arena under the Qatar national team flag, alongside Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani and Sheikh Fahad bin Jassim Al Thani.
Having two Wathnan riders in the Qatari squad reflects the national team’s ability to benefit from the extensive international campaign undertaken by its riders during the season.
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Show jumping at the Asian Games requires a combination of experience, consistency and the ability to produce reliable rounds under the pressure of the team competition before moving on to the individual contest.
Their previous Asian Games experience also gives Faleh and Bassem a clear understanding of the nature of this championship.
Both were members of Qatar’s silver medal-winning team in Hangzhou three years ago and now return as part of a new squad that also includes two of Qatar’s most experienced riders, Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani and Sheikh Fahad bin Jassim Al Thani.
Show Jumping Schedule
- October 1, 2026 – Team Final, Round 1
- October 1, 2026 – Team Final, Round 2 and Medal Ceremony
- October 3, 2026 – Individual Competition, Round 1
- October 4, 2026 – Individual Competition, Round 2, Individual Final and Medal Ceremony
The official schedule places show jumping during the closing days of the Asian Games, making the equestrian competitions among the major sporting events bringing the continental championship to a conclusion.
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The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
