DOHA: Some of the world’s best horses and riders will be seen in action in the Qatar International Show Jumping Championship which starts today at the Al Rayyan Park here.
About 180 riders from 38 countries will vie for the top prize in the Grand Prix and Masters category.

In all there are eight events, two each on four days, offering a total prize money of QR 270,000 plus two Mitsubishi ‘Outlander’ cars. Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) President Sheikh Hamad bin Ali Al Thani said all arrangements were over and he expected a smooth and successful championship this week. “All arrangements are in place and I hope it will be a great championship, indeed a memorable one,” Sheikh Hamad said. The QEF chief said that all top delegates from the international equestrian federation (FEI) and

Asian Equestrian Federation (AEF) had already arrived and added that there would be several meetings on the sidelines of the championship.
With the Arab League Championship and the Asian Championship being run concurrently the level of competition is expected to be quite high. Champion riders and horses from traditionally strong countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Hong Kong will be the main challengers for top honours.

An unprecedented strong presence of Far East Asian countries should give the competitions an edge compared to the previous years. Saudi Arabia’s Sydney Olympics silver medalist Khalid Al Aid, who won the Grand Prix title last year, is back in Doha aiming for a repeat. Saudi Arabia are fielding a strong team with Ramzy Addahatri, Kamal

Buhamdan and Abdullah Shar Badli being the other members of their team.
The Egyptian challenge will be spearheaded by Hadi Sami Jabor and Ala Misra. The following is the competition schedule with prize money in brackets:
Tuesday: 2.3pm- Qatar Cup (QR15,000); 5.30pm: Al Jida Cup (Qr25,000).
Wednesday: 2.30pm- Yusuf bin Ahmed Al Rumaihi Cup (QR 20,000); 5.30pm: Four Teams Cup (QR50,000).
Thursday: 2.30pm- QEF Cup (QR15,000); 5.30pm: QNOC Cup – Masters (QR25,000).
Friday: Endurance Races at Sealine, Mesaieed.
Saturday: 2.30pm- AEF Cup (QR20,000); 5.30pm: Mitsubishi Cup – Grand Prix (QR100,000).