DOHA: After narrowly missing a win at the opening event of jumping on Wednesday, Qatar’s Rashid Towaim Ali Al Marri and Kannada yesterday won the CSI3* two phases jumping competition (1m45) with a perfect ride at CHI Al Shaqab 2015.
Al Marri was the penultimate rider to test the course and despite feeling the pressure piling up, he shattered the previous best time, set by Kuwait’s Ali Al Khorafi on Ventje, by more than three seconds (32:68 to 36:08).
Al Khorafi, the rider who won CHI Al Shaqab 2015 first jumping event on Wednesday, has shown consistency throughout the two days of CSI3* jumping action.
Saudi legend Khaled Al Eid, a 2000 Olympic bronze medalist was a distant third crossing the line in 39:28 on Senorita – by far his best performance so far.
His fellow compatriot Bader Mohammed Alfard on Bijou Van De Vijfheide attacked to claim the top spot, right before Al Marri tried the course, but he hit two fences and his 29:89 finishing time never counted.
Home rider Al Marri said: “It’s very competitive here that’s why I am very pleased with my victory. It makes me feel extremely good.”
On his further participation, Al Marri said:“I am ready to show my winning qualities further down in the competition. It’s a great competition perfectly organised. I wish I could compete here every year.”
Kuwait’s Ali Al Khorafi said: “It’s a good result. I am looking forward to improve it though. There are plenty of good competitors here and it makes you compete even harder.”
Al Khorafi added: “Hopefully I will show stronger performance next time.
I will definitely do my best putting a lot of efforts into both training and the actual competition.”
Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Al Eid said: “My mare will get used to the course and settle down here so we are doing it gradually. I am happy with the result.”
Al Eid added: “This competition is the best in the world. Very strong competitors are battling it out for good prize money so it cannot get any better.”
The Peninsula
