Families flock equestrian venues to enjoy show jumping championships

Qatar riders have been excelling at the international show jumping championships being staged in the country for the past two weeks and the spectators and families have been attending these events in large numbers. The equestrian events, which began with the hosting of the Global Champions Tour at Al Shaqab in the second week of November and saw the QNB Qatar International Show Jumping Championship conclude at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s (QEF) arena in Al Rayyan last Saturday, has seen several thousand people flock to these venues.
While Al Shaqab had painting exhibitions, bazaar for entrepreneurs and costumes on display by Qatari women designers, besides kids’ fun zone, the events at QEF also had various food stalls, fun zone for kids and raffle draws with lap tops, iPads and mobile phones in prizes.
Four lucky spectators at QEF were handed out these prizes after the final round of the Qatar international show jumping championship, the Grand Prix event of which was won by Qatar’s Olympic rider Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani.
More people are expected to attend the Al Rayyan Show Jumping Championship to be held this weekend for three-day at the QEF. Appreciating the large turnout of people, President of the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF), Hamad Abdulrahman al-Attiyah said: “Our events are getting better and bigger. The activities around the venue are a hit with families and children. We want the kids to come out and enjoy the proceedings and have fun at the same time.”
Omar al-Mannai, Commerical Manager, Al Shaqab, said, “At QEF too we have fun zones around the venue. Pony rides and other fun activities for kids. We have collaboration with Al Bedaya to support local Qatari entrepreneurs and promote local products and services in the form of savoury food and beverage outlets and outdoor cafes. Also, there are raffle draws for fans which are a big hit with the audience.”
Following the coming weekend’s Al Rayyan championship, the national equestrian series Hathab will resume with the fourth competition.
QEF and Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation, have forged a new alliance for the 12-leg competition of Hathab for Qataris and residents offering a total prize-money of QR1mn.
Hathab, meaning “Canter” in Arabic, is an initiative of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee.
It is aimed at improving the standard of horse riding among Qatari youths while encouraging the involvement of private stables and individual horse owners to grow awareness of horsemanship as part of Qatar’s history and tradition. The vision for Hathab is to inspire Qatar’s next generation of international champions.