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Kristen Vanderveen made it a memorable first in Doha for herself and her horses Sunday as she topped the CSI5* Grand Prix - Jump-Off - 1.60m concluding class of the Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup as the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026 came to a spectacular conclusion at Al Shaqab.Vanderveen displayed sizzling form as the American rider claimed wins in three top classes on the final day of the four-day event.**media[432635]**Vanderveen topped a five-rider jump-off astride darkbay gelding Bull Run’s Jireh with a clear round in 44.07secs to finish ahead of Qatari Bassem Mohammed, who was second on chestnut gelding Wathnan Issem in 44.13secs. The third podium spot was claimed by Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly, who rode bay stallion Skorphults Baloutendro and finished in 43.52secs picking four faults.Vanderveen received €97,500 besides the trophy for her win. Bassem Mohammed won €65,000 and Alsharbatly €48,750.Vanderveen said she felt lucky today. “I got a bit lucky in the first round today. I am very happy with my results and to have finished as a champion in the concluding event. It is very special for me.**media[432636]**“It was my first Tour here in Doha and I have been delighted to be here. It was an amazing opportunity for the horses to ride on the vast expanse. Outside the event, I also got a chance to the beautiful culture here. It has been quite special and I would surely love coming back here,” she said.Britain’s Scott Brash topped the overall standings for the Doha Finals in the four- and five-star classes with a total of 199 points. He was followed by Abdullah Al Sharbatly (197 points), and Brit Harry Charles (144 points).In overall standings for the Star category, Qatari rider Saad Ahmed al-Saad topped the table with 90 points, followed by his compatriot Khalid Jassim al-Suwaidi with 89 points, and Qatari rider Hussein Saeed Haidan in third place with 69 points.The top finishers were crowned by Rashid Nasser Saree al-Kaabi, a member of the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026 Organizing Committee and a member of the Al Shaqab Board of Directors, and Bader bin Mohammed al-Darwish, President of the Qatar Equestrian Federation and a member of the Doha Equestrian Tour Organizing Committee.Assistant Tournament Director, Sheikh Talal bin Khaled al-Thani, congratulated the winners. “We had some very impressive competitions in all classes of showjumping, dressage and para dressage. Congratulations to all the winners,” he said. And added: “Special thanks to Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar Olympic Committee, for his unwavering support in the success of the tour. The next edition of the Doha Tour will start on December 30.”The final day of the championship featured five rounds, beginning with the three-star 135cm class which was also bagged by Vanderveen with a time of 58.67 seconds on Bull Run’s Lioness. Qatari rider Saeed Hamad Jumaa was second in 63.86 seconds astride Wathnan Diesel, while his compatriot, Mohammed Yousef al-Jaber, finished third in 64.56 seconds riding Christa 27.The winners were crowned by. Mohammed al-Suwaidi, the stable manager for the championship.The CSI3* - Table C - 1.40m class was clinched by Egyptian Zayed Ali claimed first place finishing in 64.97 seconds on Quirani van de Maltahoeve. Saudi rider Khalid al-Hadi was second in 65 seconds on Capoen, while Qatari rider Sultan Salem al-Nuaimi finished third with a time of 68.3 seconds on his horse Gannan de La Luce.The winners were honored by Engineer Lahdan al-Buainain, the tournament's venue manager.Qatar’s Mohammed Khalifa al-Baker won the CSI3* Grand Prix - Jump Off - 1.50m class clocking 44.86 seconds astride Dukhan 3 Abdullah Alsharbatly was second in 45.73 seconds on Quisandro, while Qatari Hussein Saeed Haidan finished third in 48.62 seconds on Icaterina. |The winners were honoured by Bader bin Mohammed al-Darwish, President of the Qatar Equestrian Federation and member of the Doha Equestrian Tour Organizing Committee.The CSI5* - Faults & Time - 1.50m was also claimed by Vanderveen who clocked the best 73.89 seconds on Starbucks. Egyptian Zein Shady Samir was second with a time of 81.27 seconds on Le Boss, and Qatari Bassem Mohammed ended in third in 73.48 seconds on Wathnan Zodiak.The winners were crowned by Mohammed al-Suwaidi, the tournament's stable manager.Khalifa al-Attiyah, Executive Director of the Doha Equestrian Tour, stated: "With the conclusion of the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026, Qatar has successfully translated its strategic vision into tangible reality through a comprehensive season that constituted one of the most prominent events on the international equestrian calendar, in terms of the level of organization, the scale of participation, and the diversity of the competitions."Mohammed Jaber al-Khayarin, Deputy Director of the Doha Equestrian Tour, said the exceptional season was a significant step in establishing Qatar's position as a leading global center for equestrian sports. “Doha successfully delivered a comprehensive season spanning several months, attracting the world's elite riders to a professional organizational environment and world-class infrastructure at Al Shaqab.” he said. 

The Doha Equestrian Tour resumed Wednesday with Al Shaqab Cup, while the Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup will be held from April 2 to 4.The competitions, which is being held at Al Shaqab Arena, feature elite international riders alongside competitors from across the region and Qatar, contesting multiple categories at varying heights.On the opening day of the Al Shaqab Cup Wednesday, American rider Kristen Vanderveen claimed victory in the CSI5* Faults and Time 150cm class, guiding Bull Run's Jireh to a clear round in 66.77 seconds. Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Alsharbatly finished second aboard Frenchy Vds with a time of 69.38 seconds, while Austria's Gerfried Puck secured third place on Equitron Naxcel V in 73.48 seconds.**media[429231]**Earlier, Qatar's Bassem Mohammed delivered a strong performance to win the CSI5* Two Phases 140cm class on Wathnan Chaccball, completing the course with two clear rounds in 35.79 seconds. Qatar’s Rashid Towaim Ali al-Marri also impressed to take second place riding Navaronne in 36.70 seconds, while his compatriot Faleh Suwead al-Ajami finished third aboard Wathnan Quality Street in 40.52 seconds.The Al Shaqab Cup, which features one-star, three-star and five-star classes, has attracted more than 150 riders and offers a total prize purse of €784,000. The Qatar Equestrian Federation Cup is expected to host more than 200 riders competing across one-star to five-star categories, with an identical prize purse of €784,000.Both events are of particular importance as they serve as qualifying rounds for Group VII of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) individual competitions.Deputy Director of the Doha Equestrian Tour Mohammed Jaber al-Khayarin said preparations to conduct the events were carried out with meticulous planning and strict adherence to the highest safety standards due to the current regional tensions. He noted that competitions are being held without spectators in a controlled environment, in line with official guidelines and in coordination with partners and relevant bodies, including the FEI.He stressed that the safety of all participants, including horses, remains a top priority, adding that the championship holds special significance within the season as it provides riders with an opportunity to qualify for the FEI Group VII finals. He also highlighted the continued presence of elite international riders competing for titles until the closing stages.Al-Khayarin added that the substantial prize money has been a key motivator for riders, contributing to the high level of competition seen throughout the tour so far, while also attracting top-ranked riders from around the world to a series that is growing in importance on the international equestrian calendar.In the overall standings for the four-star and five-star categories, Great Britain's world number one Scott Brash leads with 199 points, followed by compatriot Harry Charles with 144 points. Saudi Arabia's Alsharbatly sits third with 125 points, ahead of France's Megan Moissonnier (113 points) and American rider Eve Jobs (109 points).In the one-star standings, Qatar's Saad Ahmed al-Saad leads with 75 points, followed by Khalid Jassim al-Suwaidi with 49 points and Hussein Saeed Haidan with 43 points. Egypt's Fatima Mohand El Kashawi is fourth with 34 points, while Ali Omar al-Ansari and Ghanem Nasser al-Qadi are tied with 32 points each.Launched in 2025, the Doha Equestrian Tour is a prestigious international showjumping and dressage series comprising 10 championships held at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, one of the world's leading equestrian venues. The tour brings together elite riders and showcases top-level competition, further strengthening Doha's status as a global equestrian hub. 

Khaled al-Eid, Manar Rashid al-Shahwani and Yaqoub Nasser Al Mass were among the standout winners on the second day of the third round of the Qatar Equestrian Tour – Longines Hathab staged at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s indoor arena. Saudi rider al-Eid triumphed in the Golden Tour (140cm) with Racker, edging Bader al-Fard on Levigon and Qatar’s Hamad Nasser al-Qadi on Edison. The Open Class (110cm) was won by al-Mass aboard Pontendro, with Mohammed Dhafi al-Ardi second on Destiny and Chun Yuen Ammy Xiao third with Carton. In the junior category, Chun Yuen secured top spot riding Carton, ahead of Sharida Nasser al-Kaabi on Extra Bam and Tamim bin Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani on Just In Time. In the Future Riders (70cm) class, al-Shahwani clinched first place with Frederikshof, followed by Eva al-Jarmakani on Korapaun and Alia Ahmed al-Khater on Zoro.

Hamad Nasser al-Qadi stole the spotlight during the second round of the ninth edition of the Qatar Equestrian Tour – Longines Hathab, winning the Golden Tour Friday at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s indoor arena. Riding Viahipi d'Auzay, al-Qadi produced a brilliant time of 27.99 seconds to secure first place, ahead of Khaled Mohammed al-Emadi on Qapella Di Lino (29.06) and Mohammed Saeed Haidan on Quick Bill (30.44).**media[361695]**In the Golden Tour team competition, Wathnan emerged victorious with a combined time of 68.92 seconds, edging Al Salam (69.49) and Lekhwiya. Tournament Director Abdullah al-Marri presented the awards to the winners.The day began with the Future Riders Round at 70 cm, where Nasser Hamad al-Thani claimed first place on Friedrichshof Dark Dream in 52.21 seconds, just 0.21 seconds behind the ideal time. Alya Ahmed al-Khater secured second with Soul Rebel (52.37), while Salman Faisal al-Marri finished third, also on Friedrichshof Dark Dream (52.66). Ahmed Khaled al-Humaidi, Equine Program Advisor at Al Shaqab, crowned the winners.**media[361696]**In the 110cm Open Tour, Yaqoub Nasser al-Mass impressed with a winning ride aboard Equinoxe de l'Aulne in 47.81 seconds. Khaled al-Hadi followed with back-to-back second and third places on Doremi du Flot Z (49.01) and 0 Carlton de Sauvageonn (49.25). The Junior category of the same round saw Mohammed Faisal al-Marri come out on top with Chou Chou Z (52.21). Sharida Nasser al-Kaabi on Extra Pam (55.36) and Mohammed Hamza al-Kuwari on Carte Blanche (55.75) placed second and third, respectively. Omar al-Buainain, Director of the Support Services Sector at the Qatar Equestrian Federation, crowned the winners.The second round concludes Saturday with the Diamond Tour, Silver Tour and Future Knights round. The Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour, jointly organised by the Qatar Equestrian Federation and Al Shaqab – a member of Qatar Foundation – features 14 rounds to be held until May 2026. It stands as one of the country’s most prominent equestrian championships.

Salman Mohammed al-Emadi, riding Higoletta van de Kapel, delivered two flawless rounds with times of 32.69 and 32.28 seconds to claim the top prize in the Gold Tour (140cm) as the opening round of the Longines Hathab Season 9 concluded at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s indoor arena Saturday. Ghanim Nasser al-Qadi came second on Isis, also completing clear rounds in 32.95 and 32.73 seconds. Rounding off the podium, Mohammed Saeed Haidan partnered with Quick Bill for another perfect record in 33.87 and 33.28 seconds in the feature event of the day, limited for 10 riders. In the team competition of the same class, Wathnan team claimed first place with a combined time of 66.56 seconds, followed by Lekhwiya (70.34 seconds) and Al Fardan (74.51 seconds). Earlier, Haidan, riding D Saucedo, clinched the Silver Tour (130cm) title. Haidan clocked 22.90 seconds to prevail over Saudi rider Bader Alfard, who finished second aboard Kimberly in 26.00 seconds. Khalid Mohammed al-Emadi secured third place with a time of 25.51 seconds on Qapella Di Lino. In the Future Riders 90cm round, rider Al Reem Hamza al-Kuwari took first place with a time of 54.05 seconds aboard Jani. Khalifa bin Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani finished second and third with times of 56.48 and 57.11 seconds aboard Zion Wardfree. In dressage events, Abdulla Khalid al-Julandani (D3), Hamyan al-Kowari (D2), and Sara Almahasneh (D1) topped their respective categories.