Top riders from all over the  world will come to AL SHAQAB in March to compete in the 5th edition of CHI AL SHAQAB.

© Al Shaqab

Doha: Top riders from all over the  world will come to AL SHAQAB in March to compete in the 5th edition of CHI AL SHAQAB, which will take place from 2– 4 March 2017 at its state-of-the-art facilities in Doha, Qatar.  CHI AL SHAQAB 2017 is one of only three international annual equestrian competitions that showcases three or more equestrian disciplines in one event
The 5th edition of the prestigious equestrian competition will see top-ranking local, regional and international riders compete in Show Jumping CSI 3*and 5*, Dressage CDI 5*, and Para-Dressage CPEDI 3*. The event, which is open to the public ,aimed at inspiring young riders, trainers, officials and equestrian enthusiasts and contributing to a legacy of appreciation of the sport.
 
“The Arab world has a very rich equine heritage, and through events such as this, AL SHAQAB preserves and perpetuates that aspect of Qatari culture. CHI AL SHAQAB significantly contributes to the international equestrian and business community, demonstrating Qatar’s role as a global sporting destination,’’ said Khalifa Al Attiya, AL SHAQAB Executive Director.
 
Members of the Qatari royal family, as well as local and international VIPs within the equine sport and business world, will be in attendance.
 
Omar Al Mannai, Event Director, CHI AL SHAQAB, said: ‘’The fifth edition of CHI AL SHAQAB is shaping up to be the best one yet, with a record participation from countries. The equestrian competitions always attract the crowds, bringing together sporting enthusiasts and the community.”
 
Top ranked riders competing at CHI AL SHAQAB include Sheikh Ali Al Thani who represented Qatar and was placed sixth in show-jumping at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He also carried Qatar’s flag in the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony.
 
Other top-ranked riders who will be competing in the show-jumping events are world number one Daniel Deusser (Germany), who finished second in last year’s Grand Prix at CHI AL SHAQAB; second-ranked Christian Ahlmann (Germany), who finished third in the CHI AL SHAQAB 2016 Grand Prix; and Simon Delestre (France), currently ranked fifth in the world.
 
Patrik Kittel (Sweden) won both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle test at AL SHAQAB last year, and will  look to repeat the feat in 2017. Other dressage riders to watch include Carl Hester (United Kingdom), the world’s number five, and Inessa Merkulova (Russia), ranked sixth. Several riders will be defending their 2016 crowns in para-dressage, including Grade 1b winner Nicole Den Dulk (Netherlands), Grade II winner Rixt van der Horst (Netherlands), and Philippa Johnson-Dwyer (South Africa), who won the Grade III competition.
 
"I am very pleased to announce on behalf of ExxonMobil Qatar the fifth year of our partnership with CHI AL SHAQAB,” said Alistair Routledge, President and General Manager for ExxonMobil Qatar. “We are proud to support this world-class equestrian event and the Al Shaqab Equine Education Center."

© Al Shaqab

"We look forward to another incredible CHI event at the world-class Al Shaqab equestrian center with the best national and international horses and riders battling for one of the most coveted titles in the equestrian calendar.  CHI AL SHAQAB promises entertainment to spectators from Qatar and beyond, year after year,” he added.

There are several ticketing options for interested spectators. Adult general admission is QAR35, and QAR15 for children. VIP tickets include VIP seating on the second floor of the arena, complimentary all-day 5-star catering, exclusive entrance, and VIP valet parking; single-day VIP tickets start from QAR1,000 for adults and QAR500 for children. Three-day VIP packages are also available, at QAR2,500 for adults and QAR1,250 for children.

© Al Shaqab

 
Schedule of Events

Thursday, 2nd March

9:30 am: Jumping CSI 3*, outdoor arena
10:30 am: Para-Dressage CPEDI 3*, indoor arena
12:30 pm: Jumping CSI 3*, outdoor arena
3 pm: Jumping CSI 5*, outdoor arena
5:45 pm: Jumping CSI 5*, outdoor arena
 
Friday, 3rd March

8:45 am: Para-Dressage CPEDI 3*, indoor arena
9:30 am: Jumping CSI 3*, outdoor arena
2:45 pm: Jumping CSI 3*, outdoor arena
3 pm: Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix, indoor arena
4:45 pm: Jumping CSI 5*, outdoor arena
7:30 pm: Jumping CSI 5*, outdoor arena
 
Saturday, 4th March

8:30 am: Dressage CDI 5* Grand Prix Special, indoor arena
9:00 am: Jumping CSI 3*, outdoor arena
10:30 am: Para-Dressage CPEDI 3*, indoor arena
11:30 am: Jumping CSI 5*, outdoor arena
2:15 pm: Jumping CSI 3*, outdoor arena
2:45 pm: Dressage CDI 5*, indoor arena
4:30 pm: Jumping CSI 5*, outdoor arena

Source: Al Shaqab press release
 

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