An error-free round helped Hamad Nasser al-Qadi to a Big Tour Class victory with his 11-year-old mare Happy Tina at the fourth round of the Longines Hathab – Qatar Equestrian Tour yesterday. It was the second win in two days for al-Qadi and Happy Tina, with the pair also clinching the Medium Tour class on Friday night.
The 150cm class proved to be a steep task for many combinations, who committed many fouls. But al-Qadi, while not the fastest in the field yesterday at the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) outdoor Arena, reaped rewards for accuracy.
His time of 81.87 seconds with Happy Tina was almost ten seconds slower than Cyrine Cherif and her 10-year-old mare I’am Moerhoeve’s Princess Z but the French rider was relegated to third place after committing four faults. Olympian Bassem Hassan Mohamed, astride Incredible W, came second in 83.79 secs.
The Open Class was won by Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi, who emerged fastest in a crowded field of 53 combinations. Ghanim set the pace with veteran mare Quick Step, which cut corners splendidly to time a breathtaking 55.76 seconds. Mohamed Nasser al-Qadi on 15-year-old Uppsala Du Theil came close to taking the lead but fell short by 0.79 secs. Khalid Mohamed al-Emadi astride Mira V/D Roshoeve was third in 57.30 secs.
Earlier yesterday, Iman Arbuckle Saoud topped the Amateur Class with Al Shaqab-owned Godette as the pair registered a fastest time of 45.78 secs in the 100cm Class. Ali Abdulla al-Muhannadi, on 17-year-old Miss Serena, was second in 46.89 secs, while Hadi Nasser al-Shahwani combined with 17-year-old Beyonce to take third position in 48.55 secs.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Abdulla Juma, Hamad Nasser al-Qadi and Saeed Hamad Jumaa teamed up for Al Salam Store to win the Medium Tour team event on Friday night. NK Cafe comprising Hussain Saeed Haidan, Ghanim and Saeed Nasser al-Qadi secured second position while Salmeen Sultan al-Suwaidi, Ahmed Mohamed al-Badi and Faleh Suwead al-Ajami led Exxonmobil to third place.