It was the once again the dynamic duo of al-Rumaihi and his 16-year-old gelding Vivaldi K, which thrilled the crowd as the two galloped around the course. The 160cm Grand Prix class carried €12,000 in prize money and more importantly was the World Cup qualifier. And al-Rumaihi did no harm to his chances, with a stunning win in the two-round class in a time of 78.17 and 54.62 secs.
It was al-Rumaihi and Vivaldi K’s third win of the championship, and the rider's fifth overall. Yesterday, al-Rumaihi had also won 135cm class with his 12-year-old stallion Bolandro. “I am very happy. I didn’t expect my horses to be doing so well, but they jumped exceedingly well. I am also very pleased with Vivaldi K for how he did in the Grand Prix event. Also Bolandro jumped very good,” al-Rumaihi said.
The in-form rider was already setting his sights on the Qatar International Showjumping Championship, scheduled to be held at QEF from this Thursday to Saturday. “I am already looking forward to the next week and the international showjumping competition. It is also a World Cup qualifying event and I hope I stand in the same league as in this one,” al-Rumaihi added.
In the Grand Prix, Faleh Suwead al-Ajami finished second with Carport, while Olympic rider Hamad Ali al-Attiyah had to rue for the penalties he incurred with Clinton, which pushed the pair to third spot.
In the 135cm class, Mohamed Said Haidan finished behind al-Rumaihi, who had secured the first place with a 52.49 secs round with Bolandro. Haidan astride Apple Bee completed the round in 53.10 secs, while Saeed Nasser al-Qadi had to settle for third place with Daydreamer EC in 54.03 secs.
The two-star €60,000 competition, which was launched in 2014, was organised by the QEF in cooperation with Al Shaqab. Fifty six riders and 100 horses from Qatar, Canada, France, Jordan and Morocco competed in the three-day event.
Qatari rider Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi pilots Vivaldi K to Grand Prix win during the Al Rayyan International Showjumping Championship at Qatar Equestrian Federation’s outdoor arena yesterday. PICTURES: Lotfi Garsi
Grand Pix – World Cup Competition | Two Rounds | 160cm | €12,000
1. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi (QAT) Vivaldi K. Times: 78.17 and 54.62 secs. Prize money: €3,360
2. Faleh Suwead al-Ajami (QAT) Carport. 81.31 and 56.65 secs. €2,700
3. Hamad Ali al-Attiyah (QAT). Clinton. 82.34 and 52.49 secs. €2,100
Accumulator Competition with Joker FEI Art. 269.5 | Max. 135 cm | Prize Money: €8,000
1. Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi. (QAT) Bolandro. Time: 52.49 secs. Prize money: €2,000
2. Mohammed Said Haidan (QAT) Apple Bee. 53.10 secs. €1,600
3. Saeed Nasser al-Qadi (QAT) Daydreamer EC. 54.03 secs. €1,200
Table A, Against the clock FEI Art. 238.2.1 | Max. 120cm | Prize Money: €6,000
1 Khalid Mohammed al-Emadi (QAT) Dolce Vita M. Time: 54.25 secs. €1,500
2. Mohamed Nasser al-Qadi (QAT) Vlacido. 56.60 secs. €1,200
3. Khalifa Abdulla al-Khaldi (QAT) Dusty. 57.05 secs. €900
