CHI Al Shaqab, the prestigious equestrian competition featuring some of the world’s top riders, begins today at Al Shaqab. The three-day event is one of only four international annual equestrian competitions that showcase three or more disciplines in one event.
Now in its fifth year, CHI Al Shaqab will see top-ranking local, regional and international riders compete in Show Jumping CSI 5* and CSI 3*, Dressage CDI 5* and Para-Dressage CPEDI 3*. With more than 160 riders and 240 horses representing over 35 countries, this year’s competition is Al Shaqab’s most international to date.
Today's competition begins at 9:30 am in the outdoor arena with jumping 3*. Para-dressage follows at 10:45 am in the indoor arena, and riders will compete in classes based on the extent of their physical or visual disabilities. Jumping 3* continues at 12:45 pm in the outdoor arena, and jumping 5* begins at 3 pm, also in the outdoor arena. Six of the world’s 10 top-ranked riders will be competing in the jumping events. Several Qatari riders will be competing at CHI Al Shaqab, led by Sheikh Ali Al Thani, who represented Qatar and placed sixth in show-jumping at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Qatar riders Bassem Mohammed, Faleh Al Ajami. Qatari riders, Hamad Al Attiya and Khalid Al Emadi will also compete in jumping.
Khalifa Al Attiya, Al Shaqab Executive Director, said: “We are very excited for tomorrow’s opening of the fifth edition of CHI Al Shaqab. This year’s competition brings together riders from more countries than ever before, and we are expecting the highest levels of sportsmanship to be on display.”
Other top-ranked riders who will be competing in the show-jumping events are world number one Daniel Deusser (Germany), who finished second in last year’s Grand Prix at CHI Al Shaqab; second-ranked Christian Ahlmann (Germany), who finished third in the 2016 Grand Prix; and Simon Delestre (France), currently ranked fifth in the world.
Patrik Kittel (Sweden) won both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle test at CHI Al Shaqab last year, and he’ll look to repeat the feat in 2017. Other dressage riders to watch include world No. 1 Isabell Werth, Carl Hester (United Kingdom), the world’s number five, and Inessa Merkulova (Russia), ranked sixth. Several riders will be defending their 2016 crowns in para-dressage, including 1b winner Nicole Den Dulk (Netherlands), III winner Rixt van der Horst (Netherlands), and Philippa Johnson-Dwyer (South Africa), who won the Freestyle III.
“CHI Al Shaqab creates an unprecedented dynamic between many stakeholders, including the business, tourism and equine industries, as well as an array of cultural entities. The competition further cements Qatar’s role as a global sporting destination,’’ said Omar Al Mannai, Event Director, CHI Al Shaqab.
Visitors to the CHI Al Shaqab 2017 can look forward to number of exciting activities and an assortment of food and beverages in the Spectator Plaza, a dedicated entertainment zone.
ExxonMobil and WOQOD are respectively the gold and silver sponsors of CHI Al Shaqab 2017. Qatar Airways is the official airline sponsor, while St. Regis Doha, Aspetar, NBK and QNCC are partners of the event.
