Waldon and al-Nuaimi shine at Hathab Dressage Tour

Jessica Waldon astride 14-year-old stallion San Francisco performs during the Longines Hathab Dressage Tour at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s indoor arena on Thursday.

Jessica Waldon and Khalid Sanad al-Nuaimi tasted victories during the fourth round of the Longines Hathab Dressage Tour at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s indoor arena on Thursday. Waldon astride 14-year-old stallion San Francisco won the Medium (Level 1) event after topping the scoresheets with 68.659 points. In second place was Saoud Ahmed al-Boinin (Leslie Ann 2, 65.671), while Maryam Ahmad al-Boinin (Silvan, 63.598) came third. Waldon was delighted with her victory. “It was a tough competition. The level of competition between the riders is very high so to win here is not easy,” she said. “My goal is to continue winning in the championship, which is at higher technical level this season. There is an increase in number of riders in dressage competition and that augurs well,” Waldon added. In the Prelim (Level 2), Khalid Sanad al-Nuaimi emerged triumphant with Gop Stop after scoring 66.739 points. Jassim Mohamed al-Fahd al-Kuwari (Rythm, 65.4350 finished second, ahead of Maryam Ahmad al-Boinin (Vol De Nuit Tardonne, 65.218). Commenting on the dressage championships, Ali Yousef al-Rumaihi, Event Director, Longines Hathab, said more and more young riders are excelling in dressage and there has been an increase in the number owners of horses, trainers and riders who are now keen to see the dressage competition grow. Besides, a large number of audience is also interested in following the dressage events. Given the growing culture of equestrianism, the total number of rounds in Longines Hathab has now been increased to six. Each leg is also allocated a separate day from the showjumping tours. Dressage is excelling at all technical levels with efforts of the organising committee and the support of sponsors. Meanwhile, the ninth round of the Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour will be held today and tomorrow. The Qatar Equestrian Tour annual series is organised and conducted jointly by the Qatar Equestrian Federation and Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation. Results Dressage | Medium (Level 1) | Test 1D | Prize Money: QR15,000 1. Jessica Waldon. Horse: San Francisco. Score: 68.659. Prize money: QR4,950 2. Saoud Ahmed al-Boinin, Leslie Ann 2, 65.671, QR3,975 3. Maryam Ahmad al-Boinin, Silvan, 63.598, QR 2,700 Dressage | Prelim (Level 2) | Test 2D | Prize Money: QR10,000 1. Khalid Sanad al-Nuaimi, Horse: Gop Stop, Score: 66.739. Prize money: QR2,750 2. Jassim Mohamed al-Fahd al-Kuwari, Rythm, 65.435, QR2,250 3. Maryam Ahmad al-Boinin, Vol De Nuit Tardonne, 65.218, QR1,500