(9-January 2025) – Under the slogan “Where nobility meets history”, the opening round of the Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025 kicked off at the glorious Longines Arena at Al Shaqab – a member of the Qatar Foundation – yesterday, Thursday, January 9.
The first round of the Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025, the first international equestrian championship to be held in Qatar this year, has a participation of more than 150 male and female riders from more than 30 countries, with total prizes worth more than 1.7 million euros on offer.
The first day of the three-day tour witnessed the one-star, two-star and four-star categories in 6 rounds and at different heights, in addition to holding a local round for future riders at a height of 60 cm. The two-star category rounds were exciting until the very last.
In the two-star category (CSI2*- 130 cm), Egyptian Ali Osama Sayed claimed the top spot returning a time of 34.47 seconds astride mare Obama van de Kwachthoeve, while Inigo Lopez De La Osa Franco from the Principality of Monaco was second clocking 34.75 seconds on stallion Golden Diamond. Egyptian Ismail Osama El Borai finished third with a time of 35.3 seconds on mare Kadoki.
The winners were honored by Sheikh Ahmed bin Noah Al Thani, Secretary-General of Qatar Equestrian Federation, and by Dr. Ismail Mohamed Shaker, President of the Egyptian Equestrian Federation.
In the second round of the same category (145 cm), Italian rider Emanuele Gaudiano claimed the top podium place with a flawless routine in a swift 61.7 seconds on Quirinus 27, followed by Italian Mariano Martinez Bastida (62.54 seconds on Quark de Preuilly Z), while Austrian Gerfried Back was third in 63.08 seconds on Idiaal Special H.J.
Nasser Al Kuwari, Director of Purchasing and Logistics at Al Shaqab, honoured the winners.
Star categories enjoy wide participation
In the CSI1* – Special Two-Phase – 1.10m category, Saudi rider Hassan Al Hady took the top honours astride Morgana finishing the routine in 27.39 seconds, followed by Qatari rider Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Mohannadi on Peppercrack K in second place (27.69 seconds), and Qatari Mohammed Faisal Al Marri finished third with Miss Chile (27.7 seconds).
In the CSI1* – Faults & Time – 1.20m category, Jordanian Mohammed Abu Hamour stood first in 50.01 seconds on his mount Mandela, followed by Egyptian rider Saif Yasser Fekry in second place with a time of 51.18 seconds on Mambria, and Qatar’s Fahad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani came third with a time of 52.22 seconds on Ciara LU.
The winners were honoured by Mr. Abdulrahman Al Kaabi, Commercial Director of Al Shaqab.
Future knights impress
In order to prepare Future Riders and involve them in the championship and to help develop their abilities and skills, the organizing committee ensured a round at a height of 60 cm wherein 28 riders entered the class. The round witnessed excitement among the riders, and at the end of the round, Mr. Mohammed Jaber Al-Khayarin, the Event Director, honoured the owners of the first three places and distributed prizes to the winners.
Four-star category sees intense competition
The CSI4*-W – Two Phases – 1.40m class saw French rider Antoine Erman emerge best clocking a superb 25.94 seconds on the back of Pegasus Dawsons Flex, followed by the British eider Millie Allen finishing a close second in 26.51 seconds astride Quick Diamant HR. Qatar-based French rider Cyrine Sherif claimed a creditable third spot with a 26.53 seconds routine on Triple T Calamando Blue.
The winners were honoured by Mr. Faisal Al-Kahla, the Tour’s Deputy Director.
The World Cup qualifying CSI4*-W – Faults & Time – 1.45m (LR) class saw Spaniard Mariano Martinez Bastida excel on Jup with a flawless time of 65.51secs while Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly astride Fiumicino van de Kalevallei was second in 65.80secs, and his compatriot Abdulrahman Alrajhi atride Ventago third in 66.52secs. The winners were honoured by Mr. Hamza Al Kuwari, Director of Corporate Services at Al Shaqab.
Mohammed Al Khayarin: Tour witnessing strong competition
Commenting on the start of the Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025, Mr. Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin, the Event Director, confirmed that the start of has been strong, as the first day witnessed a diverse class of riders claiming the top places, along with the presence of Qatari riders on the podiums despite the toughness of the competition given the presence of top riders from all over the world.
He pointed out that the Tour is being held in an ideal atmosphere and is organized according to the plan, thanks to the efforts of the various committees supervising the conduct, which include Qatari cadres who have gained extensive experience in organizing international tournaments held in the country. Qatar has also become a major destination for equestrianism, as it hosts many global events and competitions in this field.
The Event Director noted that the Doha International Tour represents the cornerstone for achieving one of the important strategic goals, which is to develop the level of riders’ performance and to enhance their experience, especially since it gives them the opportunity to interact with the best riders in the world in showjumping. He added that the championship reflects the efforts of the organizing committee and relevant authorities in promoting sports tourism, stressing that Doha has become the capital of sports, especially since it also hosting a number of other international sports events during the same time.
The Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025 comprises 3 international rounds, where the first and second rounds are allocated to the two-star and four-star categories, while the third and final round includes the five-star and two-star categories. The current edition of the Tour is organized by the Qatar Equestrian Federation, Al Shaqab, and the Qatar Olympic Committee, and is officially sponsored by Doha Bank, Al Abdulghani Motors, and Zabarjad Jewelry. It also enjoys a partnership with Qatar Airways as the official airline partner, and Visit Qatar as the official partner, and Nuwat Al Kass Sports as broadcast partner, So Cast as the social media partner, and Sahil as the media partner.