Qatari rider Nasser Al Ghazali, the winner of the Special two phases, Art. 274.5.6 - 145 cm event, poses for a photograph with his trophy during the Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship in Doha yesterday. Pictures by Lotfi Garsi
Qatari riders Nasser Al Ghazali and Rashid Towaim Al Marri yesterday delighted home fans with commanding performances, winning two out of the three competitions on day one of the Al Rayyan International Show Jumping Championship.
Al Ghazali yesterday produced a flawless routine with Delloren to win the 145cm class - the feature event - at Qatar Equestrian Federation's (QEF) Main Arena.
Minutes earlier, Al Marri guided 'reliable' mare Dolce Vita M to a creditable win in the 130/135cm class.
The day's first competition was clinched yesterday by Saudi rider Abdullah Alrajhi who won the 120cm class with H Zoe.
In the day's feature event, Al Ghazali and Delloren yesterday proved to be the number one duo, winning the 145cm class in a time of 31.08 seconds in the second run.
Al Ghazali won QR 30,525 for his efforts. Saudi rider Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan, astride Lacasino, secured the second spot in a time of 31.15 seconds. Bahamdan won QR 24,420.
Bahamdan's compatriot Ramzy Hamad Al Duhami grabbed the third spot with High Quality J. Al Duhami won QR 18,315 after High Quality J clocked a time of 31.26 seconds.
Turkey's Derin Demirsoy (Narazo De NYZE Z, 31.90 seconds, QR 12,210) and American rider Reed Kessler (Tradition De La Roque, 32.92 seconds, QR 8,547) completed the top-five in the day's main event.
Earlier in competition two yesterday, Dolce Vita M's winning time was 56.18 seconds as the 12-year-old mare galloped in fine style, exhibiting royal elegance under lights on day one of the three-day championship.
Al Marri, who was greeted with a thunderous round of applause from home fans, won the top prize of QR 8,750.
Sheikh Yousuf Al Sabah of Kuwait, riding under the FEI flag, guided Femke EC to the second spot. Femke EC clocked a time of 56.79 seconds as Al Sabah won QR 7,000.
Saudi rider Abdulrahman Al Hamazani, astride Birgitta, finished in third spot in a time of 58.05 seconds. Al Hamazani won QR 5,250 for his efforts.
"It is not easy to win this show. The top international riders are here," Al Marri said with a smile that never left his face. "We have the best riders from this region and from Europe," he added.
"I am grateful for this win. I hope I can do it tomorrow also. It isn't a surprise. My mare is a winner. She is always there to win," he said. 'I have been riding with her six months. She is a bit difficult at times but I know her better now," Al Marri said
"I want to thank God. I also want to thank my father and Sheikh Joaan Hamad Al Thani for their support," the Qatari said.
When asked about his chances today and tomorrow, Al Marri said: "I can't say for sure. We ride our horses everyday in the morning and then decide which events to take part in. Once I ride in the morning is when I could say something."
Saudi duo of Khaled Abdulaziz Al Eid (Moustic Des Flayelles, 58.72 seconds, QR 3,500) and Bader Mohammed Alfard (Fulla, 58.77 seconds, QR 2,450) competed the top-five out of 36 riders in the fray.
Earlier in competition one, Saudi Arabia's Alrajhi powered to the opening win by guiding H Zoe to a smooth ride.
H Zoe clocked a time of 23.57 seconds as Al Rajhi celebrated the start of the three-day championship with a purse of QR 7,500.
Qatar's young rider Saeed Nasser Al Qadi continued with his fine form by guiding Jessico 4 to second place in a time of 25.23 seconds. Al Qadi won QR 6,000.
In third place was Kuwait's Sheikh Yousaf Al Sabah - riding under the FEI flag - who was astride Enjoy who secured the third spot in a time of 25.90 seconds. The third spot was worth QR 4,500.
Ghanima Al Othman (FEI, Danci, 26.29 seconds, QR 3,000) and Faisal Aba Alkhail (KSA, Silvano, 26.52 seconds, QR 2,100) completed the top five riders.
