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Sheikh Khalifa Abdulaziz Al Thani thrives at CSI3* last event

Right after Sheikh Khalifa Abdulaziz J.a. Al Thani cleared the last of the seven course fences at the CSI3* Against the clock jump-off (1m45), he raised his fist up in the air knowing that it would be difficult for any of the four riders left to compete to challenge his flawless 37:52 clocking.
Indeed, neither the Saudi trio of former Olympic bronze medalist Khaled Al Eid on his brand new companion Senorita, as well as his brother Fahad El Eid and Naser Shbbab Albagami, nor Kuwait’s Ali Al Khorafi, who had been the most successful rider at CHI AL SHAQAB 2015 CSI3* jumping competition, managed to beat Sheikh’s Khalifa Abdulaziz J.a. Al Thani and 2001-born stallion’s Al Hawajer Arizona Pie time.

Fahad Al Eid on Dutch-bred mare Unlimited was second with a time of 38:56, while Albagami on True Blue finished in 36:06, but was unfortunate to hit a fence and thus received a 4 point penalty, an outcome which dropped him back to third place. Overall 14 riders representing 3 nations entered the competition and 9 went on to qualify for the jump-off.
Sheikh’s win was the third for Qatar out of six events at CSI3* jumping competition, Kuwaiti riders trailed with two, while Fahad El Eid offered Saudi Arabia its only victory at CHI AL SHAQAB 2015.

RESULTS :

1. Shk. Khalifa Abdulaziz J.a. Al Thani (Qatar) – Al Hawajer 0/37:52
2. Fahad El Eid (Saudi Arabia) – Unlimited 0/38:56
3. Nasser Shbbab Albagami (Saudi Arabia) – True Blue 4/36:06


QUOTES :


Shk. Khalifa Abdulaziz J.a AL THANI (QAT), winner

On his winning:
“I am really happy with my victory. It gives me an enormous satisfaction. ”

On CHI AL SHAQAB:
“Everything is pretty unbelievable here. Top facilities and a lot of work being put into every single detail at this competition. It’s just perfect in my view.”


Fahad AL EID (KSA), second

On his result:
“It was really difficult to compete here. I did my utmost best but it wasn’t enough to win. A lot of emotions were involved too.”

On CHI AL SHAQAB:
“The competition at CHI AL SHAQAB is great. I want to thank the organisers for their amazing work. This is the best equestrian event in the world.”


Nasser Shbbab ALBAGAMI (KSA), third

On his performance:
“I tried to win it yet it wasn’t enough this time. I am happy with this result though.”

On the competition:
“CHI AL SHAQAB 2015 is a great event full of great riders and horses. It’s an honour to take part in this competition.”