Rio Olympic Games on the mind for star cast in Doha

3/2/2016 1:15:49 AM

(MENAFN- The Peninsula)

Doha: This year’s CHI Al Shaqab assumes a significant place in the international equestrian calendar. It provides one of the final opportunities for individual riders to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in the disciplines of Jumping and Dressage before the fast-approaching deadline of March 6. With less than six months to go before the Rio Olympic Games begin the competing teams have already been confirmed but there are eight individual places yet to be decided.

Qualification is based both on the number of points a rider will score at events up until the deadline and the rider’s place in the world rankings. With its 5* status - the highest level of competition - CHI Al Shaqab 2016 offers a maximum point-scoring opportunity. The event has therefore attracted a world-class field of riders attempting to accumulate precious points in these final days.

One place will be offered to the highest-ranked rider from each of the following groups: the Middle East and Africa; Northwest Europe; Southwest Europe; Central and Eastern Europe; and Central Asia. The remaining four places will be given to the highest-placed riders from the overall FEI Olympic ranking. As a result it is possible for riders to qualify for the Olympic Games based not only on their overall merit against the rest of the world but also on where they rank within their region.

In Jumping riders vying for a ticket to Rio include Gregory Wathelet from Belgium Bertram Allen from Ireland and Omer Karaevli from Turkey all of whom currently lead their respective groups. However there is a very narrow margin separating them so the pressure is on. From the Middle East and Africa group Moroccan rider Abdelkebir Ouaddar has the highest number of points so far whilst Egyptian rider Karim Elzoghby in second place will be hoping to produce a strong showing on his two top horses.

There can be few riders who do not dream of representing their country at The Olympic Games and elite riders have been travelling the globe extensively in recent months in order to increase their points tally. In the CSI5* Jumping category elite riders have entered two horses each and plan to compete more than once a day to maximise their chances of reaching the top of the leaderboard. Meanwhile in the CDI5* Dressage riders are restricted to competing with just one horse. The Peninsula

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