Omer Karaevli took a step closer to seal his place for this year’s Rio Olympics after the Turkish rider won the Special Two Phases, 145cm event at the Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship yesterday.
At the Qatar Equestrian Federation outdoor arena, the 38-year-old guided his nine-year-old bay colt to victory on the opening night of the championship. It was an important win for Karaevli as he chases his dream to qualify for the marquee event. Currently, he is leading the race in Elite Group C and has a 30-point lead over his nearest rival, Czech Republic’s Ales Opatrny, who finished third here. Qatar’s Hamad Ali al-Attiyah was second.
However, Karaevli knows that with two days of competition still remaining in Doha and more championships scheduled in UAE before the March 6 deadline, he has to keep on pushing for more points.  
“My only aim for this year is to qualify for the Rio Olympics and get Turkey’s ticket for the big event. It is very important because if I qualify it will be the first time in 56 years there will be a representation in equestrian at Olympics from Turkey,” said a beaming Karaevli, surrounded by his family.  
“There is almost a 30-point gap between me and Opatrny. And this win has surely helped. Now the aim is to get as many points as possible here in Doha over the next two days. The deadline for Olympic qualification is March 6, and from here I will be going to UAE so there is enough time. I want to keep the lead and qualify for the Olympics. I will be riding a different horse over the next two days and it will be a challenge as the competition level in Doha is very high. But I hope I can keep the lead and qualify for the Olympics,” he added.
Though Karaevli won last night with a comfortable margin of more than a second over al-Attiyah, he was surprised with the result. “I am very, very happy with my horse. No, I didn’t expect to win. But he is a very good horse and has had very good rounds last week. He is only nine years old and is very new for this level. He is with me for just a year now. He has not done many big shows, but is getting there,” said Karaevli, who took home QAR 30,525 for his effort.
Qatar’s al-Attiyah put in a good routine with his 12-year-old bay Whitaker and finished in 31.61 seconds for a prize money of QAR 24,420, ahead of Opatrny (Apolo), who got richer by QAR 18,315.
In the championships’ opening event, Two Phases, Art. 274.5.3 - 120 cm, Qatar’s Saeed Nasser al-Qadi astride Jessico galloped to victory in 26.69 seconds. Al-Qadi was one and half seconds quicker than second-placed Prince Mansour Alsaud of Saudi Arabia on Chantico B, coming home in 28.21. The third place went to Saudi’s Abdulrahman Albladi (Anufleur M).
Meanwhile, Ali al-Khorafi, who had a good outing last week at the Qatar International Championship, continued his good form with his 12-year-old ride Ungarin 4, as the Kuwaiti won the Two Phases, Art. 274.5.3 - 130/135 cm event in a time of 27.97 seconds
Turkey’s Derin Demirsoy (Bosphorus) was second, followed by another Kuwaiti Rakan al-Hasawi (Dennis).  
Results
Two Phases, Art. 274.5.3 - 120 cm:1. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi (Qatar) Jessico. Time: 26.69 secs. Prize Money: QAR 1,687; 2. HRH Prince Mansour Alsaud (Saudi Arabia) Chantico B. 28.21 secs. QAR 1,350; 3. Abdulrahman Albladi (Saudi Arabia) Anufleur M. 29.10 secs. QAR 1,012.
Two Phases, Art. 274.5.3 - 130/135 cm
1. Ali al Khorafi (Kuwait) Ungarin 4. Time: 27.97 secs. QAR 2,812; 2 Derin Demirsoy (Turkey) Bosphorus. 29.23. QAR 2,250 ; 3 Rakan aL Hasawi (Kuwait) Dennis. 30.24 secs. QAR 1,687
Special Two Phases, Art. 274.5.6 – 145cm: 1. Omer Karaevli (Turkey) Cortani. Time: 30.45 secs. Prize money: QAR: 30,525; 2. Hamad Ali al-Attiyah (Qatar) Whitaker 31.61. QAR: 24,420; 3. Ales Opatrny (Czech Republic) Apolo. 33.14. QAR: 18,315.