Families flock equestrian venues to enjoy show jumping championships

Qatar riders have been excelling at the international show jumpingchampionships being staged in the country for the past two weeks and thespectators and families have been attending these events in largenumbers. The equestrian events, which began with the hosting of theGlobal Champions Tour at Al Shaqab in the second week of November andsaw the QNB Qatar International Show Jumping Championship conclude atthe Qatar Equestrian Federation’s (QEF) arena in Al Rayyan lastSaturday, has seen several thousand people flock to these venues.While Al Shaqab had painting exhibitions, bazaar for entrepreneurs andcostumes on display by Qatari women designers, besides kids’ fun zone,the events at QEF also had various food stalls, fun zone for kids andraffle draws with lap tops, iPads and mobile phones in prizes.Four lucky spectators at QEF were handed out these prizes after thefinal round of the Qatar international show jumping championship, theGrand Prix event of which was won by Qatar’s Olympic rider Sheikh Alibin Khalid al-Thani.More people are expected to attend the Al Rayyan Show JumpingChampionship to be held this weekend for three-day at the QEF.Appreciating the large turnout of people, President of the QatarEquestrian Federation (QEF), Hamad Abdulrahman al-Attiyah said: “Ourevents are getting better and bigger. The activities around the venueare a hit with families and children. We want the kids to come out andenjoy the proceedings and have fun at the same time.”Omar al-Mannai, Commerical Manager, Al Shaqab, said, “At QEF too we havefun zones around the venue. Pony rides and other fun activities forkids. We have collaboration with Al Bedaya to support local Qatarientrepreneurs and promote local products and services in the form ofsavoury food and beverage outlets and outdoor cafes. Also, there areraffle draws for fans which are a big hit with the audience.”Following the coming weekend’s Al Rayyan championship, the nationalequestrian series Hathab will resume with the fourth competition.QEF and Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation, have forged a newalliance for the 12-leg competition of Hathab for Qataris and residentsoffering a total prize-money of QR1mn.Hathab, meaning “Canter” in Arabic, is an initiative of HE Sheikh Joaanbin Hamad al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee.It is aimed at improving the standard of horse riding among Qatariyouths while encouraging the involvement of private stables andindividual horse owners to grow awareness of horsemanship as part ofQatar’s history and tradition. The vision for Hathab is to inspireQatar’s next generation of international champions.