To see the photo gallery :please click

DOHA: Kuwait’s Noaf Al Essa won the first title to be decided at the Sixth Qatar International Show Jumping Championships, winning the Qatar Cup, on his horse Nadine at the Al Rayyan Park here yesterday.

Qatar’s Bader Mohammed Al Darwish, on Ring O, finished second while another Qatar entry Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani was third on Power. Qatar’s Ali Yousef Al Rumaihi, who rode Corona, finished fourth. The first competition was a one-round event with a jump-off. About 70 riders and horses took part.

But it was Noaf who emerged on top, guiding Nadine to victory, clearing all hurdles easily in a time of 38 min 39 sec.

Earlier, ‘borrowed horses’ category Korea’s Yo Seb Lee steered Un Du Page to victory in 46 min 33 sec. Joran’s Hashem Zaghloul, on Al Burq, was second and Kuwait’s Ali Al Khorafi on Maxim was third. There are eight titles to be decided in this championship which ends on Satruday, February 12. The total prize money for the championship is QR 270, 000. In addition to the cash prize, two Mitsubishi ‘Outlander’ cars will also be given to

the winners of the Grand Prix and Masters categories
In all, about 180 horses and riders from 38 nations are taking part in this championship, being organised by the Qatar Equestrian Federation.