Al-Marri, Allen shine at Doha Tour

Qatar’s Rashid al-Marri emerged triumphant in the CSI4*- Two Phases 1.40m class while Britain’s Millie Allen topped the CSI4* - Faults & Time - 1.45m class on the opening day of the second leg of the Doha International Tour at the Longines Arena of Al Shaqab on Thursday.The three-day event is held amidst a large audience presence with a total of six categories for CSI one-star, two-star and four-star categories at different heights, in addition to a round for Future Riders.More than 400 local and international riders are participating in the event, and the event has total prizes worth more than 400,000 euros.Al-Marri thrilled the home crowd as he combined with his horse Navaronne to finish on top in a flawless 27.53 seconds. Portugal’s rider Duarte Seabra on Van Halen Z came in second place with a time of 28.52 seconds, while Ukraine’s Anastasia Bondarieva, who along with Virunga H Z Anastasia, finished in 30.63 seconds. The winners were honoured by Khalid Issa al-Hammadi, Senior Vice-President Operations at Qatar Airways.The CSI4* - Faults & Time class witnessed exciting competition with Allen emerging on top astride Quick Diamant HR in 61.69 seconds. The second place was bagged by Abdullah Alsharbatly of Saudi Arabia, clocking 64.24 seconds on Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior, while Seabra on Cooper LB was third with a time of 64.3 seconds. The winners were crowned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Fahad al-Thani, representative of Doha Bank.Meanwhile, Qatar riders impressed in the CSI2* 1.30m class. Faris Saad al-Qahtani excelled on his mount Hidiene to claim the top podium place in 30.52 seconds, followed by Jaber Rashid al-Amri astride Apollon du Banney in second place, clocking 31.32 seconds. Mohammed Khalifa al-Baker completed the Qatar podium sweep as he finished third in a time of 31.65 seconds on Dukhan 3. The winners were crowned by Omar al-Bouainain, Deputy Director of the championship.The CSI2* - Faults & Time - 1.45m class was clinched by Italian Emanuele Gaudiano as he rode Chalou with aplomb for a fastest routine of 64.15 seconds.His compatriot Roberto Previtali, riding Hachiko finished in 64.47 seconds, was second while Austrian Gerfried Puck astride Equitron Melody Vd Smidshoeve clocked 65.27 seconds to be third. The winners were crowned by Dr Eman al-Ansari, Adviser to the CEO of Abdulghani Motors.The CSI1* - Special Two-Phase - 1.10m class was won by Shaheen Abu Green of Libya astride Henriette with the best time of 27.62 seconds. Abed Sanosy of Saudi Arabia was second astride Nina Rite E Z, finishing in 28.03 seconds, while Qatar’s Mohammed Faisal al-Marri claimed the third podium spot on his trusted mount Miss Chili, with a time of 28.67 seconds. The winners were crowned by Mohammed Jaber al-Khayareen, Event Director, Doha International Tour.Saudi’s Turky Alsaawy, who along with Falco, clocked the best time of 53.22 seconds in CSI1* - Faults & Time - 1.20m class. He was followed by Qatar’s Ibrahim Khalid al-Kuwari on Flexy Bel Z in the second place with a time of 53.31 seconds. Saudi’s Mohammed al-Asaker finished third with Scoobylensky Theyss in 53.98 seconds. The winners were crowned by Nasser al-Hajri, the Tour’s Sports Director.Future Riders’ National Competition - Optimum Time - 0.60m round generated a lot of excitement both among the riders and the fans where Rodha Tamim al-Thani, riding Peter, came on top achieving a time of 38.99 seconds, followed by Tamim Fahad al-Marri on Peter in second place, and Salha Khalid al-Obaidli, riding Lancome Paris, in third place.Ahmed Khalid al-Humaidi, Heritage and Heritage Specialist at Al Shaqab, honoured the winners.