Nerveless al-Qadi wins second successive Amir’s Sword title

Amir’s Sword champion Hamad Nasser al-Qadi and Medium Tour winner Mohamed Abdulla Juma were awarded cars after their victory at HH The Amir Sword Equestrian Festival Saturday. Also seen in pictures are Asian Equestrian Federation president Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah, Vodafone Qatar CEO Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulla al-Thani and Senior Manager of Lexus National Sales Ahmad Abu-Saad.

* ‘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’ Hamad Nasser al-Qadi said he was under pressure but the Qatari rider seldom showed it as he clinched his second successive Amir’s Sword title at HH The Amir Sword Equestrian Festival Saturday. The nerveless 26-year-old was the last rider to go in the eight combination field and he produced an error-free round with 14-year-old stallion Andreas SPB Z at Qatar Equestrian Federation’s outdoor arena. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi clears a hurdle with 14-year-old stallion Andreas SPB Z during HH The Amir Sword Equestrian Festival at the Qatar Equestrian 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. The rider was also awarded a car for his effort.Top three finishers of the Future Riders class pose with their medals. “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. Medium Tour was won by Mohamed Abdulla Juma astride 12-year-old stallion Lucratief. Nasser al-Ghazali 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 | 135/145cm | Prize Money: QR65000 + car 1. Hamad Nasser al-Qadi; Horse: Andreas SPB Z; Time: 71.70 & 55.26 secs; Prize: Car 2. Nasser al-Ghazali; Quel Homme; 71.34 & 53.22; Total faults: 8; Prize money: QR18,200 3. Mohamed Khalifa Albaker; Verona; 79.57 & 55.80; 11; QR14,950 Medium Tour | Table A, Two rounds against the clock, Art. 273.3.3.1 | 120/135cm | Prize Money: QR45000 & Car 1. Mohamed Abdulla Juma; Lucratief; 69.52 & 40.28 secs; Prize: Car 2. Sheikh Khalifa al-Thani; Serendipity; 71.13 & 43.18 secs; QR12,375 3. Salman Mohamed al-Emadi; Gop Stop; 68.75 & 40.35 secs;QR10,125 Small Tour | Table A, Two rounds against the clock, Art. 273.3.3.1 | 100/120cm | Prize Money: QR30,000 1. Abdulrahman Eisa al-Bukhari; Irschi; 56.35 & 41.57; QR:7,500 2. Leyla Asuman Unsal; Istrella Shk; 56.74 & 37.97; 4; QR6,000 3. Mohamed Jabor al-Naimi; Naville Z; 55.96 & 38.56; 4; QR4,500 Future Riders | Table A, Two Phases, Art. 274.1.5.3 | 85/100cm 1. Mariam Abdulkarim Abed; Animo’s Boy Van De Dennehoeve; 22.70 & 18.59 secs 2. Hadi Nasser al-Shahwani; Wadi Rum D D H; 25.59 & 19.13 secs 3. Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani; Calydor; 24.05 & 21.36 secs Future Riders | Table A, Two Phases, Art. 274.1.5.3 | 70/85cm 1. Jassim Adel al-Saegh; Joly’s Arno; 24.25 & 17.28 secs 2. Jaber Mansour al-Shahwani; Whistler; 26.96 & 18.23 secs 3. Nawaf Ahmed al-Khaldi; Ilse; 24.63 & 18.87 secs