Talent prevails over experience as Al Emadi clinches Doha win

Young Qatari rider Salman Mohammed Al Emadi yesterday guided Zorro Z to a spectacular win over experienced rivals Derin Demirsoy of Turkey and Australia's Edvina Tops-Alexander on day one of the QNB Qatar International Show Jumping Championship.
Battling for top honours in the feature competition, Al Emadi produced a flawless routine with Zorro Z to win the two-phased 145cm class at the Qatar Equestrian Federation's Outdoor Arena.
Zorro, a 16-year-old gelding, clocked a time of 35.34 seconds as Al Emadi beamed from ear to ear with the top prize of €6,765.
'It was a great win. I am very happy with my horse's performance on the first day and we are looking forward to the next two days of competition, Al Emadi, who entered the arena in sixth place, said.
'My horse jumped really great. That's what I was expecting from Zorro Z. I hope it can continue in the same way. When I entered the competition, I was ready. Now we are looking forward to the next competition in this championship, he added.
Turkish riding star Demirsoy, astride Dadjak Ter Puttenen, finished in second spot (36.87 seconds) to claim the prize of €4,920.
'It was a great start for me and my horse. It was a good day, Demirsoy said. 'You never know in this sport but today everything went according to plan. I am competing with the same horse (today), he added.
Celebrated rider Tops-Alexander guided Veronese Teamjoy to third place in a time of 38.32 seconds. The veteran Australian rider won €3,690.
'I have a young horse. She is just eight. She was on the plane for the first time. So it is a good result, Tops-Alexander said. 'I will try two more horses over the course of this event, she added.
Qatar's Saleem Sultan Al Suwaidi (Cantaro 32, 38.75 seconds, €2,460) and Russia's Vladimir Tuganov (Qualidam, 38.83 seconds, €1,722) completed the top five in a field of 11 riders.
In competition 2 yesterday, Qatari rider Salmeen Sultan Al Suwaidi guided Guilder's Empire Of The Sun to a convincing win in the 130/135cm class.
Guilder's Empire Of The Sun looked in little bother as the 8-year gelding sailed through her routine in a time of 58.75 seconds. Al Suwaidi won €2,000 after beating the 25-horse field.
Awad Al Wahtani, astride Cassander Van Het Bremhof, secured the second spot in a time of 64.26 seconds. Al Qahtani won €1,600.
In third place was Ali Al Khorafi who was riding under the FEI flag. Al Khorafi guided Cheril to the third spot in a time of 64.54 seconds. Al Khorafi got richer by €1,200.
Qatari rider Mohammed Sultan Al Suwaidi (Numero Uno-T, 70.09 seconds, €800) and compatriot Abdullah Ali Al Ajeil (Blanca, 71.26 seconds €560) completed the top five.
Earlier in competition 1, in-form Qatari rider Saeed Nasser Al Qadi yesterday produced another competition-winning ride with Jessico 4 to kick off proceedings in the QNB Qatar International Show Jumping Championship on a positive note.
In the 120cm class, Al Qadi's 15-year-old gelding clocked a time of 24.17 seconds to seal the top spot landing the classy rider the prize of €1,400.
Compatriot Mohammad Al Ghazali, astride Jackson 58, finished in second spot in a time of 26.73 seconds. Al Ghazali picked up the prize of €1,200 for his efforts.
Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi, who entered the QEF's Outdoor Arena in the company of Fudine, sealed the third spot in a time of 27.27 seconds. Ghanim won €840.
Khalifa Abdullah Al Khaldi (Dusty, 27.42 seconds, €560) and Rakan Al Hasawi (Denver, 28.42 seconds, €392) completed the top 5.
Today, the first competition will commence at 1:30pm (120cm, against the clock) while the second event (135cm against the clock with jump of) will start at 3:30pm. The final competition of day two starts at 6:00pm.
The last competition will be a qualifying round for FEI World Cup (against the clock).

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