Competitions Heat Up in Third Round of HH the Father Amir Prix

Doha: The competitions of the third round of the HH the Father Amir Prix for Equestrian continued today at the Longines outdoor and indoor arenas at Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation. The round featured nine classes ranging from one-star to five-star events, with wide participation from elite internationally ranked riders and total prize money exceeding EUR 3.3 million. According to Qatar News Agency, the main Longines outdoor arena hosted the three-star competition at a height of 130 cm, followed by the three-star event at 145 cm, then the five-star competition at 145 cm. The day concluded with the five-star event at 155 cm with a jump-off. Meanwhile, the secondary outdoor arena staged the three-star competition at 140 cm, while the Longines indoor arena hosted the one-star competitions at heights of 115 cm and 125 cm, in addition to the youth class at 125 cm. German rider Christopher Klasener claimed victory in the five-star 155 cm jump-off class after recording a time of 35.92 seconds aboard Bobbie Bishop. British rider Scott Brash finished second in 36.53 seconds on Hello Chadora, while Swiss rider Nadja Steiner placed third in 38.46 seconds riding Clearound. The winners were crowned by Sheikh Talal bin Khalid Al-Thani, Assistant Director of the Championship. In the opening event of the second day, the three-star 130 cm class, Qatari rider Suhaim Al Yafei secured first place with a time of 33.60 seconds on Flash. Saudi rider Mishal Al Qahtani finished second in 34.12 seconds on Minky, while Qatar's Saeed Hamad Jumaa placed third in 34.57 seconds on Wadhan. The awards ceremony was conducted by Abdullah Al Qashouti, Director of Marketing and Communications of the Championship. Italian rider Emanuele Gaudiano won the three-star 145 cm class after clocking 60.32 seconds on Nikolaj. Christine van der Veen finished second in 62.55 seconds on Bell Run, while Saudi rider Kamal Bahamdan placed third in 65.25 seconds on Quickly. The winners were crowned by Salmeen Al Suwaidi, the Championship's Sports Director . In the five-star 145 cm class, British rider Millie Allen claimed first place with a time of 60.92 seconds aboard Quick Diamond, ahead of Italy's Emanuele Gaudiano, who finished second in 61.55 seconds on Vasco. Portuguese rider Duarte Seabra came third in 62.90 seconds on Vrenhel. The awards were presented by Sheikh Ahmed bin Nooh Al-Thani, member of the organizing committee and Secretary-General of the Qatar Equestrian Federation. In the three-star 140 cm competition, Qatari rider Faleh Suwaid Al Ajmi secured first place in 56.60 seconds on Wadhan, followed by Saudi rider Khaled Al Mubti in second place with 58.42 seconds on Diamond, and Jordanian rider Ibrahim Hani Basharat in third with 59.92 seconds on Corona. The ceremony was conducted by Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Stables Director of the Championship. The Longines indoor arena witnessed the youth category competition at 115 cm, where Qatari riders dominated the podium. Nasser Hamad Al Maadheed claimed first place with a time of 31.31 seconds on Honolulu , followed by Mohammed Issa Al Bukhari in second place with 32.39 seconds on Steve Jobs, and Abdulaziz Saud Al Fakhro in third with 32.96 seconds on Vallo. The winners were crowned by Abdulrahman Al Kaabi, Director of Protocol and Hospitality at the Championship. At a height of 125 cm in the same category, Egyptian rider Omar Ahmed secured first place with a time of 49.98 seconds on Camellia, ahead of compatriot Saif Arafa, who finished second with the same time on Leonard. Saudi rider Funoon Al Humaidan placed third in 51.14 seconds on Underline. In the youth one-star 125 cm class, Qatari rider Abdullah Ahmed claimed first place with a time of 30.13 seconds on Celia. Saudi rider Futun Al Humaidan finished second in 31.57 seconds on Nikita, while Qatar's Abdulrahman Ghanem Al Kuwari placed third in 32.27 seconds on Hadan. In the local class at 80 cm, first place was shared by rider Mishaal Mohammed Al-Thani and rider Khalifa bin Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani with a time of 51.95 seconds, while Alia Hamad Al-Tha ni finished third with a time of 51.76 seconds on Justy. The winners were crowned by Sheikh Suhaim bin Mohammed Al-Thani, Advisor for Sports Affairs at the Qatar Olympic Committee. The third round will conclude tomorrow (Saturday) with the Grand Prix events. The main outdoor arena will host the three-star Grand Prix at a height of 150 cm with a jump-off, in addition to the five-star Grand Prix at 160 cm with a jump-off. The Longines indoor arena will stage the one-star Grand Prix at 130 cm with a jump-off. The main outdoor arena will also host the five-star class at 150 cm and the three-star class at 140 cm, while the secondary outdoor arena will stage the three-star class at 130 cm and the local class at 100 cm. The indoor arena will host the one-star competition at 120 cm and the youth class at 120 cm with a jump-off, as part of the qualifying rounds for Group Seven.