Hamad Al Qadi showjumps his way to successive HH Amir Sword title

Tribune News Network Doha Living up to his own expectations and promise, Hamad Nasser Al Qadi rode brilliantly to clinch his second successive Amir Sword t...

Tribune News NetworkDohaLiving up to his own expectations and promise, Hamad Nasser Al Qadi rode brilliantly to clinch his second successive Amir Sword title at HH the Amir Sword Equestrian Festival on Saturday.The nerveless 26-year-old, who admitted to being under pressure but hardly gave any hint of it, was the last rider to go in the eight combination field and he produced an error-free round with his trusted 14-year-old stallion Andreas SPB Z at Qatar Equestrian & Modern Pentathlon Federation’s outdoor arena.Al Qadi and Andreas SPB Z pair were slow to get off the blocks, but once they found their rhythm the pair rocketed around the track, stopping the clock for a winning time of 55.26 seconds in 145cm class.Al Qadi received the prestigious Amir Sword from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club. The rider also won a car for his effort.“I had to fight really hard. It was so difficult and I was under pressure but I was ready to fight for it,” said an elated Al Qadi, as he was mobbed by his family and friends.The rider paid due credit to his horse for the victory. “Andreas was amazing, he did three clear rounds. He is a bit slow, but I tried to manage it in his way and we finally did it. The plan was to not make any faults. To win the Amir’s Sword for a second successive time is a huge honour for me,” he added.Nasser Al Ghazali, who recently recovered from a fall he suffered in the first round of Qatar Equestrian Tour Longines Hathab, finished second despite powering to a fastest time of 53.22 seconds with veteran gelding Quel Homme in the second round. But the pair’s eight-second fault they had earlier committed in the opening round proved costly to their chances. Mohamed Khalifa Albaker took the final podium spot with Verona.Al Ghazali was content with a runner-up finish. The experienced rider is back competing after suffering serious injuries he sustained after a fall in the first round of Hathab a few months ago.“It’s good to be back. The last couple of competitions have gone well for me. Today I gave it my best to be honest. My horse is a bit too old to compete for two successive days. We had two faults in the first round, which I did not expect but that is sport. Today, I just tried to focus as I couldn’t afford one more fault. My horse fought till the end and I am happy with my second place,” he said.“I am feeling good after the injury. Post recovery I am in good shape. I want to thank Aspetar, they took good care of me,” Al Ghazali added.Meanwhile, the Medium Tour was won by Mohamed Abdulla Juma astride 12-year-old stallion Lucratief. The two combined for a flawless two rounds in 69.52 & 40.28 seconds as Juma went home with a car for his effort. Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani in Serendipity was second, followed by Salman Mohamed Al Emadi in third with Gop Stop in the 135cm class.Abdulrahman Eisa Al Bukhari clinched the Small Tour with Irschi, with Leyla Asuman Unsal (Istrella Shk) coming second, followed by Mohamed Jabor Al Naimi (Naville Z) in third.Results Big Tour | Table A, Two rounds against the clock, Art. 273.3.3.1 | 135/145 cm | Prize Money: QR65000 + car1. Hamad Nasser Al Qadi; Horse: ANDREAS SPB Z; Time: 71.70 & 55.26 secs; Prize: Car2. Nasser Al Ghazali; Quel Homme; 71.34 & 53.22; Total faults: 8; Prize money: QR18,2003. Mohammed Khalifa Albaker; Verona; 79.57 & 55.80; 11; QR14,950Medium Tour | Table A, Two rounds against the clock, Art. 273.3.3.1 | 120/135 cm | Prize Money: QR45000 & Car1. Mohammed Abdulla Juma; Lucratief; 69.52 & 40.28 secs; Prize: Car2. Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani; Serendipity; 71.13 & 43.18 secs; QR12,375 3. Salman Mohammed Al Emadi; Gop Stop; 68.75 & 40.35 secs;QR10,125Small Tour | Table A, Two rounds against the clock, Art. 273.3.3.1 | 100/120cm | Prize Money: QR300001. Abdulrahman Eisa Al Bukhari; Irschi; 56.35 & 41.57; QR:7,5002. Leyla Asuman UNSAL; Istrella Shk; 56.74 & 37.97; 4; QR6,0003. Mohammed Jabor Al Naimi; Naville Z; 55.96 & 38.56; 4; QR4,500Future Riders | Table A, Two Phases, Art. 274.1.5.3 | 85/100 cm1. Mariam Abdulkarim Abed; Animo’s Boy Van De Dennehoeve; 22.70 & 18.59 secs2. Hadi Nasser Al Shahwani; Wadi Rum D D H; 25.59 & 19.13 secs3. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani; Calydor; 24.05 & 21.36 secsFuture Riders | Table A, Two Phases, Art. 274.1.5.3 | 70/85 cm1. Jassim Adel Al Saegh; Joly’s Arno; 24.25 & 17.28 secs2. Jaber Mansour Al Shahwani; Whistler; 26.96 & 18.23 secs3. Nawaf Ahmed Al Khaldi; Ilse; 24.63 & 18.87 secs.