DOHA, October 27, 2017 - After having successfully hosted the opening leg of Hathab, Qatar's new QR1mn equestrian series, Al Shaqab's Indoor Arena will host the second leg on Friday.
The second of the 12-leg series will see competitions in both showjumping and dressage, and organisers are expecting an overwhelming response from riders this time too as the competition gains popularity. The veterinarian check for horses was held Thursday , followed by a technical meeting for the riders.
A total of six competitions – four in showjumping and two in dressage – will be held this weekend too, with riders as young as 12 in action. In the opening leg, Hamad Nasser al-Qadi, astride SIEC Lonnie, had won the feature class.
Hathab, meaning 'Canter' in Arabic, is an initiative launched by Qatar Olympic Committee president HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani. The series is open for Qatari nationals and also to residents of Qatar. The event is being conducted jointly by Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) and Al Shaqab.
Organisers aim to improve the standard of horse riding among Qatari youths through Hathab, while also encouraging the involvement of private stables and individual horse owners to increase awareness of horsemanship as part of Qatar's history and tradition.
Results of the competition will be used in the selection process of riders to represent Qatar in future international competitions. Each leg will carry points, with only top seven results to be counted, and an overall winner to be declared at the end of series. Seven events will be held at Al Shaqab and five at QEF's Outdoor Arena.
Around 150 riders, from as young as six, will be in action with free admission for spectators. The events will consist of five categories: Future Riders Program (6-12 years old), Children (12-14 years old); Junior (Small Tour 14-18 years old), Young Rider (Medium Tour 16-21 years old) and Senior (Big Tour- over 21-year-old).
The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules and regulations will be followed and all competitions will be shown live on Al Kass channel.