DOHA: The 12th edition of CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines commenced on Thursday at the Longines indoor and outdoor arenas of Al Shaqab (Member, Qatar Foundation), featuring 247 elite riders from 41 countries. This prestigious annual FEI event, encompassing showjumping, dressage, and para dressage, boasts a total prize fund exceeding €1.3 million.
Qatari riders impressed in the Preliminary Freestyle dressage event, with Jassim Mohamed JA Al Kuwari securing the top two spots. He rode bay gelding Floyd to victory with a score of 73.125 and later secured second place aboard Kesslervank (72.392 points). Maryam Ahmad SA Al Boinin placed third with Hutrine-V Z (70.158 points). Al Kuwari also triumphed in the CDI1* – Prix St. Georges dressage class aboard Jack Sparrow, scoring 69.461 points.
Reflecting on the opening day, Event Director Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin highlighted the thrilling performances and the significance of Qatari riders making the podium multiple times.
He emphasized that CHI Al Shaqab continues to enhance Qatar’s reputation for equestrian excellence, building on the success of prior international championships such as HH The Amir’s Sword Festival and the Doha International Equestrian rounds of 2025.
“CHI Al Shaqab has become a hallmark of sporting excellence in Qatar and a highly anticipated event each year. The championship not only showcases world-class competition but also reinforces Al Shaqab’s role in preserving and promoting equestrianism in the region,” Al Khayarin remarked.
Qatari Riders Make Their Mark
Qatari riders showcased their talent in the CSICh-B – Special Two-Phase – 1.05m class, sweeping the podium. Abdul Aziz Jassim AJ Al Thani rode grey mare Gabbana M to victory with times of 33.01 and 27.51 seconds. Sharida Nasser SS Al Kaabi on bay mare Proud finished second (36.45 & 29.94 seconds), while Mohammed Hamza MA Al Kuwari on grey mare Carte Blanche secured third (36.21 & 31.24 seconds). The winners were honored by Khalifa Al Attiyah, Executive Director of Al Shaqab.
Qatari dominance continued in the CSI1* – Special Two-Phase – 1.10m class, with Yaqoub Nasser Al Mass riding bay mare Aphrodite S Z to victory in 27.98 and 25.74 seconds. Abdulla Khalid Al Julandani on dark bay gelding Corsini placed second (26.93 & 25.82 seconds), while Jassim Al Kuwari on brown gelding Dorus HH finished third (25.54 & 27.33 seconds).
Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly claimed the CSI1* – Faults & Time – 1.20m – GP Qualifier title with grey stallion Dr Scarpo, clocking the best time of 46.72 seconds. Compatriot Khaled Alhady secured second place on Doremi du Flot Z (48.84 seconds), while Qatar’s Fahad Jassim HK Al Thani took third with bay mare Hazel de Luxe (50.61 seconds). The winners were crowned by Abdullah Al Qashouti, Director of Communications and Marketing.
In the Future Riders’ Optimum Time – 0.60m class, American Sophia Marie Ghaith excelled on Shadow with the best time of 53.86 seconds. Qatar’s Aljohara Mohammed H Al Thani, riding Ready To Rock And Role, finished second (54.32 seconds), while Shaikha Hamad A Al Yafei on Lancome Paris placed third (53.28 seconds). Ahmed Khaled Al Humaidi, Heritage Specialist at Al Shaqab, awarded the winners.
Excellence in Para Dressage
The para dressage competitions featured outstanding performances across various grades. In the CPEDI3* – Grand Prix A – Grade I, The Netherlands’ Annemarieke Nobel secured victory with black bay gelding Doo Schufro, earning 73.958 points. Dutch rider Loes Cevaal topped the CPEDI3* – Grand Prix A – Grade II category with 72.012 points. Holland’s Rixt van der Horst dominated the CPEDI3* – Grand Prix A – Grade III with chestnut stallion Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P., scoring 76.167 points.
Denmark’s Pia Wulff Jelstrup triumphed in CPEDI3* – Grand Prix A – Grade IV with bay mare Zafia (70.139 points), while Finland’s Jonna Aaltonen claimed the CPEDI3* – Grand Prix A – Grade V title with chestnut gelding Laxton For U (70.000 points). The winners were honored by Event Deputy Director Omar Al Buainain.
Simon Delestre Shines in Showjumping
French rider Simon Delestre stole the spotlight in the CSI5* – Faults & Time – 1.50m (LR) – GP Qualifier class under the lights of the Longines outdoor arena. Partnering with black gelding Dexter Fontenis Z, Delestre delivered a flawless and swift round, clocking 56.01 seconds to secure victory and claim the top prize of €26,875. Belgian rider Abdel Said, who also impressed at HH The Amir Sword Festival recently, finished second on chestnut mare Arpege du RU (57.61 seconds). France’s Julien Anquetin, astride bay mare Farah Tame, claimed third place with a close 57.62 seconds. The winners were honored by Dr. Noura Buhaliqa, CEO of Q Communications.
Earlier, Great Britain’s Ellen Whitaker claimed the CSI5* – Faults & Time – 1.45m title aboard bay stallion Quainton X-Rated, posting a flawless 61.41 seconds. Frenchman Olivier Perreau on Frisky de La Fontaine secured second place (62.88 seconds), while Italian Roberto Previtali, riding Hachiko, finished third (63.14 seconds).
In the CSI3* – Faults & Time – 1.45m (LR) – GP Qualifier class, Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano and dark bay stallion Vasco 118 clinched victory with a flawless 60.97 seconds. Great Britain’s Millie Allen on Quick Diamant HR finished second (62.21 seconds), while South Africa’s Oliver Lazarus on Butterfly Ennemmel took third (64.41 seconds). The winners were awarded by Abdulrahman Al Kaabi, a member of the tournament’s organizing committee.
The day opened with the CSI3* – Faults & Time – 1.35m showjumping class, where Qatar’s Sultan Salem Al Naemi, riding bay gelding Cethys de Vernay, triumphed with a clear round in 58.74 seconds. Great Britain’s Grace Healey on Jabadabadoo followed in second place (59.36 seconds), while Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Almobty, riding Mary Ann 12, secured third (60.00 seconds). The winners were honored by Event Director Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin.
