By Sports Reporter/Doha


Qatar Foundation (QF) is keen to add new chapters to the equine industry and plans to raise the bar to achieve its goals. This was disclosed by QF president Saad Ebrahim al-Muhannadi yesterday during the CHI AL SHAQAB 2015 competition.
“The CHI AL SHAQAB competition is a small part of what we are doing at the Qatar Foundation. We have a world class breeding centre, research facilities and medical resources here to develop the Arabian horses. We also have a riding school with the best of facilities for the Qataris,” al-Muhannadi said.
Speaking about the event, al-Muhanaddi added. “I love this event. It’s really enjoyable. Earlier I used to visit different countries across the world to watch this sport and now it’s happening here, which is really impressive.”
“Most of our activities and initiatives are aimed at taking the equine industry to different levels and we’d love to add new chapters to it. The history and heritage of the Arab horses are quite important to us. The equine industry has advanced quite fast in the last decades. We’re starting from where others have stopped.”
The event which has received praise from the international competitors has impressed the QF president, who said. “What makes us more happy is the satisfaction of the competitors who come and participate in CHI AL SHAQAB. Many of them find it really a world class event. Last year, they even called it the Hollywood of the competitions, which was really flattering.”
He also said that the QF would always try to bring the class and quality to its events. “Quality matters to us a great deal. So anything that we like to do, whether it is an event, participation or facilities, we want it to be world class. This is really what makes us happy and is helping the Qatar Foundation achieve its goals.”
Talking about the other goals of QF, the he said. “Other goals of our vision are to provide excellent education and research facilities for the people in Qatar, besides the community development.” Saad said the QF was paying a lot of attention to the physically-challenged people of Qatar and involve them into all its activities. “We’re now starting a programme for the people of special needs. Under the umbrella of the Qatar Foundation, we have a school of autism.”
“The children with autism are said to be showing great improvement when they are in contact with horses. We’re working on it and trying to boost their abilities through horse riding and various other programmes. We’re really focussed and trying to integrate the people of special needs into everything that we do. This sector of the physically-challenge people is quite important to the Qatar Foundation. Just like the Western world, we’re trying and will continue to involve them in education and all our activities that we do for the society.
“We’ve invested a great deal in terms of creating the world class facilities and getting the best trainers in the world. I think Qatar has it now what takes to establish itself in the equine sport. We’re proud of the Qatari team’s achievement in qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics and we wish every success,” he added.

ExxonMobil pledges support
ExxonMobil Qatar President and General Manager Alistair Routledge, who was also present on the occasion said that the CHI AL SHAQAB has bright future and his company would continue its sponsorship of the events which are associated with country’s history, culture and tradition. “We have a history of sticking to certain strategic sponsorships. We’ve enjoyed our relationship with Al Shqab and looking forward to continuing our support to it.  
“The CHI Al Shaqab has a great future. The Qatar Foundation and Al Shaqab are doing a great job in organising this event. I love coming here every year. It is a wonderful facility, both for the riders and the horses,” he said.
Routledge also added that the CHI Al Shaqab is growing each year. “This is the third year ExxonMobil Qatar is sponsoring the event. Each year, the crowd is getting larger and more enthusiastic. The event is getting more visibility each year.”
“It is a nice blend of the culture, history and love for horses, which has traditional events like the dressage and show jumping. What is apparent in the three years to me is that it has expanded the awareness and popularity about the event.




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