(MENAFN- Gulf Times) CHI Al Shaqab has always been a go-to event for the riders in the equestrian world. But this year's event assumes even more significance.
The fourth edition of the CHI Al Shaqab will be held from today till Saturday at the magnificent Al Shaqab arena, and it provides one of the final opportunities for individual riders to qualify for this year's Olympics in the disciplines of Jumping and Dressage.
The deadline to seal a spot to Rio Games is 6th March and CHI Al Shaqab is expected to provide plenty of thrills as riders go all out in a last-ditch attempt.
With less than six months to go before the Olympics, the competing teams have already been confirmed. Qatar's Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani, Ali Yousef al-Rumaihi, Khalid al-Emadi and Bassem Hassan Mohammed have already booked their ticket to Olympics and will be eager to pick up early momentum ahead of their show jumping debut at the 2016 Olympic Games.
But there are eight individual places yet to be decided in Doha. 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 star status - the highest level of competition - CHI Al Shaqab offers a maximum point-scoring opportunity. The event has therefore attracted a world-class field of riders attempting to accumulate precious points in the 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 will be on them to hold on to their top positions.
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 event also provides an ideal opportunity for riders to give their horses what may, in some cases, be their first flying experience ahead of Rio, in order to determine how well they travel and cope with intense competition thereafter. The stakes, therefore, could not be higher, as the most skilled riders in the world vie for supremacy at CHI Al Shaqab.
SCHEDULE
Today:
10:30am: Doha Tour CSI3* Two Phases (274.5.3) 1.30m show jumping
1pm: Doha Tour CSI3* Table A (238.2.1a) 1.45m show jumping
3:30pm: CSI5* Two Phases (274.5.3) 1.45m show jumping
6:30pm: CSI5* Table A (238.2.1a) 1.50m show jumping
Tomorrow
10: 30am: Doha Tour CSI3* Table A (238.2.1a) 1.30m show jumping (outdoor arena)
10: 30am: CPEDI3* Team para-dressage (indoor arena)
1pm: Doha Tour CSI3* Two Phases (274.5.3) 1.45m jumping
3:30pm: CSI5* Table C (263) 1.45m show jumping
6:30pm: CSI5* Table A (238.2.1a) 1.50m show jumping
Friday
8:45am: CPEDI3* Individual para-dressage
1:45pm: CDI5* Grand Prix Dressage
4:20pm: Doha Tour CSI3* Accumulator (269a) 1.30m jumping
6:30 pm: CSI5* Table A (238.2.2a) 1.55m jumping
Saturday
8am: CPEDI3* Freestyle para-dressage
12:30pm: CDI5* Grand Prix Special, Dressage
1pm: CSI3* Final - Table A (238.2.2a) 1.45m show jumping
2:30pm: CDI5* GP FS - Grand Prix Freestyle to Music Dressage
5:30pm: CSI5* Grand Prix Two Rounds with Jump Off 1.60m Show jumping
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