Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi continued his fine form yesterday as the Qatari rider finished first and second in the feature class of the Big Tour on the opening day of the HH The Emir’s Sword equestrian competition.
At the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s main arena yesterday, al-Rumaihi astride his trusted mount Vivaldi K, a 15-year-old chestnut gelding, topped the Table C, Art. 239 (140/150cm) class clearing the fences during the routine with finesse and aplomb. 
He finished in 66.19secs only to soon return to the arena a second time on Qatar Armed Forces’ Bolandro, an 11-year-old bay stallion. Al-Rumaihi and Bolandro too was a fine combine but this time it took them 67.38secs in completing the faultless routine which fetched the runners-up spot. The top two finish saw Mubarak collect QR17,500 and QR14,000 in prize money.
Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi on Cantaro 32, the 17-year-old grey gelding, clocked 70.95secs to claim the third place on the podium and a prize of QR10.500.
The Medium Tour class (125/135cm) saw a big field of 26 riders in final run where Saeed Nasser al-Qadi on Jessico 4 emerged on top clocking 60.02secs.
Mohammed Khalid al-Qashouti, who recently excelled in the national Hathab series, finished second astride Alegro 84 in 62.2secs. Khalid Mohammed al Emadi on Fiji was third clocking 66.52secs.
In the Small Tour (110/120cm) class, Jassim Mohammed al-Kuwari rode Va Va Voom to a winning finish with a faultless routine which took him only 59.70secs.
Mohammed Nasser al-Qadi on Ferrari P.H. was second in 60.14secs, and In Shaallah Saad Hameed on her mount Casanova S.C.H. third clocking 60.58secs.
The prestigious three-day competition, which carries a total prize-money of QR1mn has attracted to national riders in showjumping, dressage and Future Riders events.
However, Last year’s winner Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani and his Olympic teammate Bassem Hassan are not taking part this year as the duo are competing in FEI championships in Europe. Admission to the championship is free for spectators. Young equine enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to experience pony rides and have fun and frolic at the bouncing castles.
 
Results
Big Tour

Table C, Art. 239 (140/150cm) Prize-money QR70,000
1. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi (Vivaldi K); Faults: 0; Time 66.19secs; Prize: QR17,500
2. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi (Bolandro); 0; 67.38secs; QR14,000
3. Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi (Cantaro 32); 0; 70.95secs; QR10.500

Medium Tour
Table C, Art. 239 (125/135cm) Prize-money QR50,000
1. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi (Jessico 4); Faults: 0; Time: 60.02secs; Prize: QR12,500
2. Mohammed Khalid al-Qashouti (Alegro 84); 0; 62.20secs; QR10,000
3. Khalid Mohammed al-Emadi (Fiji); 0; 66.52sces; QR7,500

Small Tour
Table C, Art.239 (110/120cm) Prize-moneyQR30,000
1. Jassim Mohammed al-Kuwari (Va Va Voom); Faults:0; Time: 59.70secs; Prize: QR7,500
2. Mohammed Nasser al-Qadi (Ferrari P.H.); 0; 60.14secs; QR6,000
3. In Shaallah Saad Hameed (Casanova S.C.H.); 0; 60.58secs; QR4,500