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AL SHAQAB, member of Qatar Foundation, is working on the final touches of preparations for organising the first CHI AL SHAQAB from March 27 to 30. Several riders and horses from all over the world shall participate in Show Jumping (CSI Five Star and CSI Thre Star), Dressage (CDI Four Star) and Endurance (CEI Two Star) competitions over a span of four days. |
Undoubtedly, the Jumping competition receives great attention at CHI AL SHAQAB 2013, with the high number of world’s top ranking riders participating in it, and with the CSI Five Star Grand Prix considered as a qualifier for the FEI World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014 to be held in Normandy, France.
One of the notable riders participating in the competition is Qatar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani, who considers CHI AL SHAQAB 2013 as an important stop for preparing for the FEI World Cup Jumping finals that will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden next month. This is the second consecutive time that Sheikh Ali qualifies for the FEI World Cup Jumping, after he claimed one of the direct qualifier cards of the FEI Arab League Jumping Championships.
Commenting on his participation at CHI AL SHAQAB, Sheikh Ali said, “We always aim at participating in these international competitions, which are usually held in European countries, as we are used to in the past years. What makes us feel proud this time is that the State of Qatar is organising a competition of this international level through AL SHAQAB. Qatar has acclaimed global attention, thanks to its ambitious vision in the field of sport. This places great responsibility on the Qatari riders to live up to the expectations.”
About the benefit that he shall gain from participating in CHI AL SHAQAB, the Qatari rider asserted, “CHI AL SHAQAB will provide a treasure of experience on the technical level, not only to the riders, but also to those working behind the scenes in the equestrian field. It serves as an opportunity to the local trainers to follow and observe the preparations and trainings done by the international riders participating in the competition.”
Praising the organisers, he added: “AL SHAQAB owns the best stables and courses, and complete world-class facilities, which helps them in hosting a number of high level international tournaments. Moreover, organising international championship of this kind proves the international standard and global fame of AL SHAQAB, and adds to the value of the Qatar Equestrian Federation and the Qatar Olympic Committee. Everyone must keep in mind that the world’s top riders choose the places in which their horses shall be handled with utmost attention and care. The trust they place in allowing their horses to be kept at AL SHAQAB in preparation of the championship proves that AL SHAQAB is completely fit and eligible to organise international competitions.”
Commenting on the competitions in Qatar, Sheikh Ali continued, “We hope that the sport organisers increase the number of championships held in Qatar, especially those of international level. This shall reflect positively on the level of local competitions. Also this will help the horses and riders get the opportunity to compete in different places, which overcomes any fright of new places. I insist that CHI AL SHAQAB will be an initiative towards to build a promising generation of Qatari equestrian sport enthusiast youth, whether in terms of riders or in terms of the people working in the field of equestrian and help in creating a comprehensive Qatari system in the equestrian field. I dream of a championship that shall be organised with Qatari hands from A to Z.”
“In equestrian sport, the rider’s talent and the power of the horse both play a great role in obtaining top places and achieving titles. In the absence of a complete system, these talents remain hidden. We are therefore in a huge need of a comprehensive Qatari system, established with the hands of the Qatari people, so that we achieve titles and tournaments that suit the level of facilities and support offered by the State.