Qatar has the ability to host any global event, president of the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah has said.
In an interaction with the Qatari media, al-Attiyah, who is also the president of the Asian Equestrian Federation, said that the Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour supported by The Social & Sport Contribution Fund is organised by QEF in partnership with Al Shaqab has achieved great success besides promoting the development of the sport.
He said that the performance of the riders in the Longines Hathab championship was of very high quality. He added that the tournament is contributing to the discovery of new talent and that would help Qatari riders compete at the international level.
Al-Attiyah said that Longines Hathab event has also succeeded in attracting local and international sponsors.
Regarding the partnership between QEF and Al Shaqab, al-Attiyah said that the fruitful cooperation has lasted four years. “Together we have achieved great success in all events we have been part of,” he said.
Al-Attiyah said that the new calendar announced by the federation includes many international events, but its confirmation depends on the circumstances in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Al-Attiyah added that many international championships have been lined up for Qatari riders, the most important of which is the CHI Al Shaqab and the ongoing Longines Hathab championship. CHI (Concours Hippique International or Equestrian International Competition) is the first and only equestrian competition of its kind in the Middle East and Asia to be sanctioned by the FEI and one of only 4 CHI equestrian events in the world.
Al-Attiyah explained that Longines Hathab event has proved a good training ground for Qatari riders and that the QEF will organise a long camp for its riders starting from May 2021 in the Netherlands in preparation for their participation in the Asian Equestrian Championship which is to be held in China in 2022.
He added that HH The Amir Sword tournament will be held in February.
Al-Attiyah revealed that the Qatari Federation has a strong women’s team in the dressage competition who have gained good experience through their continuous participation in Longines Hathab.
In the future, the federation will work to prepare the team as required, to provide ideal conditions for it to represent the State of Qatar in the Asian championship, pointing out that the equestrian sport in Qatar has a distinguished history at the international and local levels, thanks to the great support provided by the wise leadership in the country.
He also added that the QEF is working to provide trainers with international experience in various countries.
Al-Attiyah said that the federation has reached an agreement with the French coach Cedric Jacques, to work with the federation with the continued supervision of the international coach Jan Tops in the training of the first team.
Al-Attiyah expressed his confidence that Qatar will win the bid to host the Asian Games in 2030 as the country has great experience in organising such events.
For his part, Omar bin Khalid al-Mannai, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee of Longines Hathab, confirmed that the fourth edition of the annual equestrian series has grown in stature especially after the entry of local partners providing support.
“We are happy to have received great support from The Social & Sport Contribution Fund. We thank them for their support and there will also be a new partnership that we will be announcing soon. Also, the official sponsors Longines International, who have entered into a three-year partnership, contributing to the success and continuity of the annual series.”
Al-Mannai also highlighted the increasing participation of the riders and the rising demand for showjumping and dressage horses. “There are about 17 new horse heads in competition due to the demand of the riders to buy horses. We also notice the spread of equestrian sport has been significant in the recent period. Our goal is to make the sport’s base more wider and to invest in young riders for them to achieve the greatest benefit by developing their skills and by striving for the prizes of the championship,” he said.  
“Today we see a great turnout for registration at the equestrian academy and we are now in the process of completing all the procedures to open it again. This also confirms the great interest in equestrian sport, and we, in turn, seek to raise a new generation to be the beginning of their launch into the equestrian world,” he added.
Al-Mannai expressed his happiness at the return of the dressage competitions and the future riders which were held back in the previous few rounds due to the precautionary measures set by the MoPH.
Longines Hathab’s new season began in October as per the Ministry of Public Health guidelines and the assistance of Aspetar Hospital and the Qatar Center for Voluntary Work. They all have been contributing to the success of the championship and the emergence of equestrian sport in a manner befitting the State of Qatar, said al-Mannai.