Second Round of Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025 Wraps Up

Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025

The competitions of the second Doha International Equestrian Tour 2025 concluded on Saturday at the Longines outdoor and indoor arenas of Al Shaqab, Qatar Foundation Member.

The marquee CSI4*- Grand Prix - Jump Off - 1.55m (LR) - Art. 238.2.2 class which added to the glorious lit up Longines outdoor arena of Al Shaqab threw up a surprise winner in Duarte Seabra. The Portuguese excelled on Dourados 2, a grey gelding, to beat a challenging competition with a swift flawless time of 39.03 seconds in the jump-off for the top prize.

The in-form Gerfried Puck of Austria had to settle for the second place with a time of 39.75 seconds on the back chestnut stallion Equitron Naxcel V. Puck.

German rider Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann on chestnut mate Iron Dames Dubai du Cedre finished third in 38.97 seconds.

The international CSI4*- Faults & Time - 1.45m (LR) - Art. 238.2.1 class had Emanuele Gaudiano taking two podium places. The Italian, riding bay stallion Nikolaj de Music, emerged as the winner in flawless 50.84 seconds, and with darkbay stallion Vasco 118 took the third podium spot finishing in 52.78 seconds. Portuguese Mariano Martinez Bastida, on bay gelding Belano Vd Wijnhoeve Z, was second finishing in 52.28 seconds.

Gerfried Puck continued good form to bag the CSI2* - Grand Prix - Jump Off - 1.45m (LR) - Art. 238.2.2 title despite fierce competition. The Austrian stood out on bay mare Equitron Melody Vd Smidshoeve flawless best jump off time of 33.76 seconds. Portuguese Duarte Seabra on bay mare Geniale Star Kervec finished as the runners-up, clocking 35.37 seconds. The third podium place was claimed by Italian Roberto Previtali with a time of 37.08 seconds on chestnut stallion Qashquai SB.

Qatari rider Hussain Said AM Haidan excelled in the international CSI2* - Faults & Time - 1.35m - Art. 238.2.1 class as he rode Viahipi d'Auzay, a chestnut gelding, impressively to claim the title with a clear round of 52.06 seconds. Saudi Arabia’s Bader Alfard, on grey mare Hw Cosette, was the runners-up with a time of 53.5 seconds on Cosette, while Frenchman Antoine Ermann on bay stallion Je T'Adore finished third place with a time of 56.41 seconds.

The international CSI1*- Grand Prix - Jump Off - 1.25m - Art. 238.2.2 class was won by Abdulaziz Fahad Aleid of Saudi Arabia, who combined with bay gelding Kayenne Of de Rocky Mounten to return the best flawless time of 35.86 seconds in the jump-off. His compatriot Khaled Alhady, riding chestnut gelding Doremi du Flot Z, was second in 36.07 seconds, while Qatar’s promising rider Haya Khalid Al Hitmi rode Hustique, a lightbay mare, with poise to clock 37.86 seconds for the third podium place.

The CSI1* - Immediate Jump Off - 1.15m - Art. 238.2.2 + 245.3 event was won by Moroccan Achraf Oualla, who astride bay gelding Diamant D Amour, topped with a time of 31.46 seconds. His compatriot Omar Qermane on darkbrown mare Filerna followed in 32.99 seconds, while Qatar’s Hamad Nasser Al Qadi claimed the third podium place, riding bay mare No Limit MB and clocking 33.97 seconds.

In the morning, the National Competition - Optimum Time – 100cm class at the Longines indoor arena of Al Shaqab saw Nayla bint Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani show her class as she guided Bon Suela with determination to return the best flawless time of 67.23 seconds, 0.23 seconds behind the ideal time and claim the title.

Nayla was followed by Khalifa bin Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, 0.41 seconds behind the ideal time, riding Zion II, while the third best time was achieved by Egyptian rider Yassin Mohamed Khalifa on Fanta Sparta, 0.91 seconds behind the ideal time.

Commenting on the successful conclusion of the second round of the Doha International 2025, Event Director of Doha International Tour Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin stressed that event was within the framework of the championship and the organizing committee seeks to provide an ideal environment that supports and enhances the principles and values of equestrian sports in the region as a whole - which contributes to increasing the participation of various segments of society and visitors in the championship competitions, in addition to riders representing more than 25 countries.

The Event Director added that the Doha rounds and the championships that will follow enhance the position of Qatari equestrianism on the global stage. The third round of the Tour will include the CSI5*round, which will have the participation of more international riders coming to Doha to compete and hence will have endless excitement, especially with the increase in the value of the cash prizes on offer.

"The high levels, quality of organization and public attendance were the most prominent headlines in the last two rounds of the Doha International Tour 2025, which brings us to another date with an exceptional event next week. Today, we continue on the path of excellence and leadership in equestrian sports," said Al Khayarin.

(QNA)