Portugal’s Luciana Diniz, on Fit For Fun 13, finished second in the CSI5* Table A, Against the clock, 150cm, event yesterday.
In the second competition of the day, a CSI5* event, Ouaddar, atop Cordano Sitte Z, won the bronze medal. Later, in the day’s last competition, he completed an untouched round in 65.95s in against the clock class on French-born mount Quickly de Kreisker, to claim the top spot.
The 53-year-old jumper, who defeated Global Champions Tour champion Luciana Diniz for the win, was delighted with his show yesterday. “I am very happy with the win. I am happy now that I could win against the best. To beat Luciana Diniz is a special feeling,” he said.
He also lauded the Moroccan Royal family-owned 12-year-old Quickly de Kreisker. “I know I have a very fast horse, so I could take all the risk,” the Moroccan, who is aspiring for an Olympic medal, said.
Turkey’s Omer Karaevli, on Cortani, receives the winner’s plate from Qatar Equestrian Federation president Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah after winning the CSI5* Two phases 145cm event.
Brazilian-born Portuguese world No. 13 rider Luciana Diniz also finished the round on Fit For Fun 13 without fault, but took 1.23s loner than the Moroccan. The third place went to Turkey’s Derin Demirsoy.
The 45-year-old Diniz, who won the Global Champions Tour title defeating world No 1 British rider Scott Brash in the concluding Qatar leg last November, looked in good shape in her first outing of the year.
In the CSI5*, 145cm class, Turkey’s Omer Karaevli riding Cortani came first, while Abdullah al-Sharbatly finished second ahead of Ouaddar.
Earlier, in the first competition of the day, the CSI2* 125cm event, Khaled Almobty, riding Zypern 4, took 29.99s to finish a clean round for the top spot. He was followed by Qatar’s Hamad Nasser al-Qadi (30.33s) and Saudi Arabia’s Nasser al-Bagami (30.34s).
“I am satisfied with my performance today. It was a big event and I am happy to finish second,” al-Qadi, who finished the round with zero penalties on SIEC Lonnie, said after receiving the medal.
Qatar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani, riding Vienna Olympic, in action during the CSI5* Table A, Against the clock, 150cm, event yesterday.
The event is being organised on a large scale this year and all riders are in strong pursuit of the ranking points which are at stake. Out of nine classes, seven are ranking points’ classes and the Sword event is in the Category A, with big ranking points at stake for those riders who are still hoping for Olympic qualification.
Points will be awarded to individual riders from the event, which will help riders earn a ticket for this year’s Games in Brazil in August.
Qatar’s equestrian team, which has qualified for the Rio Games, is also taking part in the event.
United Development Company (UDC) Marketing and Communications director Hussain Akbar al-Baker and Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) general secretary Khalid bin Safar al-Hajri exchange agreements after UDC was announced as the gold sponsor for HH The Emir’s Sword International Showjumping for the fourth straight year.
Leader of the Rio-bound Qatar team, Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani, also had a clear round on Vienna Olympic, and finished sixth in 75.10s in the CSI5* 150cm class.
The other member of the Qatar team, Bassem Hassan Mohamed, finished 20th on Paddys Darco ahead of compatriot Ali al-Rumaihi, on Gunder.
Sheikh Ali also took part in the CSI5* 145cm class with Anyway II to finish seventh in an untouched round in 24.42s.
The second-day of the three-day event will start with CSI2* at 1.30pm today. The second event – CSI5* sped and handiness — will be held at 4.30pm. The last event of the day, to start at 6:30pm, will be CSI5* - a qualification event for the Saturday’s Grand Prix.
The Grand Prix – two rounds with jump off — is a qualification event for Rio Games and European Championship 2017.
RESULTS
CSI2* 125cm
1. Khaled Almobty (Zypern 4)
2. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi (SIEC Lonnie)
3. Nasser al-Bagami (WKD Lexington)
CSI5*, two phases, 145cm
1. Omer Karaevli (Cortani)
2. Abdullah al-Sharbatly (Little Pezi)
3. Abdelkebir Ouaddar (Cordano SITTE Z)
CSI5*, against the clock, 150cm
1. Abdelkebir Ouaddar (Quickly de Kreisker) 65.95s
2. Luciana Diniz (Fit For Fun 13) 67.18s
3. Derin Demirsoy (Harry K) 68.00s
