Mohammed Saeed Haidan continues to impress

Tribune News Network Doha Mohammed Saeed Haidan consolidated his strong start to Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab 2021-22 claiming the Big Tour title ...

Tribune News NetworkDohaMohammed Saeed Haidan consolidated his strong start to Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab 2021-22 claiming the Big Tour title in the 2nd round which conlcuded at Qatar Equestrian Federation’s (QEF) indoor arena on Saturday.Mohammed had also won the Medium Tour title on Friday riding D Saucedo. On Saturday, the showjumper rode his trusted horse Miss Chili to triumph in the Big Tour.Mohammed and the 13-year-old grey mare completed the round in 56.21 secs flawlessly to top a strong field of 14 seasoned riders and their best horses in action.Haidan received a prize of QR11,250 besides valuable points in the 14-leg popular domestic series. The rider, who began the season with thumping success in the opening round in the Big Tour, attributed his success to the secret of having spent a good time with the horses that are competing this year, and considering that his start this year is good for him especially as he has prepared well for this season, he hopes to achieve more notable results despite the strong competition from the riders.Regarding the increase in the number of rounds to 14 from 12 in the championship, he welcomed it. “The increase in the number of rounds is a good thing for the riders because it guarantees them the continuity of competition,” said Haidan. He also wished for the return of previous international tournaments and overseas riders which was affected during to the new coronavirus pandemic last season.Haidan expects the competition to intensify in the next rounds ahead given the readiness of all riders to participate strongly throughout the season.Hamad Nasser Al Qadi, a former Big Tour champion, finished second on Saturday clocking 57.42 secs with his 10-year-old mare Gibria-B.Defending Big Tour champion, Nasser Al Ghazali, astride Quel Homme, completed the podium with a ride that lasted 67.78 secs with no errors.Earlier, in the Open Class, Hussain Saeed Haidan and 12-year-old gelding Viahipi D’auzay cruised to victory with a brilliant time on the board. Viahipi D’auzay topped the 48-strong field with two rounds of 31.79 secs and 28.85 secs to capture the top prize of QR6,250.Hussain and his favourite gelding had an impressive run, finishing two-seconds ahead of their closest rival Salmeen Sultan Al Suwaidi, who rode Guilder’s Empire Of The Sun.Salmeen and the 12-year-old chestnut gelding clocked a time of 30.85 in phase 2 to finish second. Saeed Nasser Al Qadi and the QEF-owned bay mare Best Of Des Forets ended up third with a time of 30.91 secs.As many as 140 male and female riders took part in the second round of Hathab. The winners were crowned by Abdullah Muhammad Al Marri, President of the Future Riders Teams, and Sheikh Khalid bin Nasser Al Thani.