Salmeen leads Qatar’s clean sweep of the podium in the 135cm class

Kuwait’s Rakan al-Hasawi and Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi notched up victories on the opening day of the Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship yesterday.
At the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s outdoor arena, al-Hasawi, riding under the flag of Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) piloted his nine-year-old bay Dennis to glory in the 145cm class, the feature event of the day. The pair combined flawlessly to register a winning time of 34.26 seconds, which earned al-Hasawi €6,150 in prize money.
Another Kuwaiti rider Ali al-Khorafi gave his compatriot a scare when he rode his 10-year-old bay Cheril around the course. But he fell short by 0.65 seconds to take the runner-up spot. The third place went to Russia’s Vladimir Tuganov, the 56-year-old rider astride Qualidam coming home in 35.11 secs.
Al-Hasawai was pleased with his victory and hoped for a similar result over the next two days of competition. “It’s a good win. We’ve been having some unlucky rounds the last week, but this seems like a good beginning to the weekend here. All the best to the other riders too and I hope to get some more favourable results,” the Kuwaiti rider said.
Tuganov revealed he took a cautious approach today, aiming to save his best for tomorrow’s Grand Prix. “I rode quite cautiously today because I want to reserve my best for tomorrow and the final day for the Grand Prix event,” the Russian, who tasted victory at the Qatar International Championship said.
When the 56-year-old was asked about giving the youngsters a run for their money, Tuganov said in a jest: “But I gave youngsters a chance to go ahead of me today. Hopefully I should go on to win the Grand Prix.”
Meanwhile, al-Suwaidi led Qatar’s clean sweep of the podium in the 135cm class. The home team rider in the company of eight-year-old gelding Guilder’s Empire of The Sun was the fastest in the 30-rider field. Their winning time of 59.86 seconds made al-Suwaidi richer by €2,000.
Hamad Nasser al-Qadi was almost a second behind compatriot al-Suwaidi as he finished runner-up with S I E C Lonnie in 60.80 seconds. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi completed the all-Qatar podium when he and SIEC Cosmos Wijngaardhoeve Z finished third in 62.21 seconds.
Uzbekistan riders ruled the 120cm class, the opening event of the competition. While Azam Tolibbaev emerged triumphant his Uzbek compatriot Okil Sobirjonov came third.
Tolibbaev mounting Wyarietus S finished fastest in a time of 29.32 seconds to clinch the top spot, while Sobirjonov and Colijn took the final podium place. Qatar’s Obaid Ali al-Sanari came second with Quentin.  

Results
Table A, Special Two Phases FEI Art. 274.5.6 | Max. 145cm | Prize money: €24,600
1. Rakan al-Hasawi (FEI) Dennis. Time: 34.26 secs. Prize money: €6,150
2. Ali al-Khorafi (FEI) Cheril. 34.91 secs. €4,920
3. Vladimir Tuganov (Russia) Qualidam. 35.11 secs. €3,690
Table A, Against the clock FEI Art. 238.2.1 | Max. 130/135cm | Prize money: €8,000
1. Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi (Qatar) Guilder’s Empire of The Sun. Time: 59.86 secs. Prize money: €2,000
2 Hamad Nasser al-Qadi (Qatar) S I E C Lonnie. 60.80 secs. €1,600
3. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi (Qatar) SIEC Cosmos Wijngaardhoeve Z.  62.21 secs. €1,200
Table A, Two Phases FEI Art. 274.5.3 | Max. 120cm | Prize money €5,600
1. Azam Tolibbaev (Uzbekistan) Wyarietus S. Time: 29.32 secs. Prize money: €1,400
2. Obaid Ali al-Sanari (Qatar) Quentin. 30.83 secs. €1,120
3. Okil Sobirjonov (Uzbekistan) Colijn. 31.44 secs. €840

Today’s Schedule

3pm: Table A, Against the clock with Jump 120cm
5:25pm: Table A, Against the clock with Jump Off 135cm
7:35pm: Qualifying competition for the FEI World Cup Table A, Against the clock 145cm