Qatar’s Faleh Suwead al-Ajami held his nerves to win the QR460,300 CSI4*, the marquee event at the second leg of the QNB Doha Tour equestrian championship.
All eyes were on al-Ajami and his 11-year-old Bay, Armstrong Van De Kapel at the Qatar Equestrian Federation yesterday, as only the Qatari rider and Abdullah Alsharbatly of Saudi Arabia had qualified for the jump-off out of 19 riders for the CSI4* Table (A) Two rounds, Art. 273.3.4.1, 4.5, 2.2, 160cm.
Al-Ajami was the first one to go. But the Qatari didn’t let the burden of expectations get the better of him, as the 29-year-old guided Armstrong Van De Kapel to a faultless routine in 39.08 seconds. Thereafter, the pressure was on Alsharbatly to not only beat time set by al-Ajami but also clear the hurdles.
However, Alsharbatly riding the 15-year-old Little Pezi, tripped on the second obstacle, which set off a victory celebrations in al-Ajami’s camp at the QEF arena. Al-Ajami took home a whopping QR115,075 for the biggest triumph of his career, but more importantly his horse Armstrong Van De Kapel also obtained the qualification certificate to take part in the Rio Olympics later this year.
Al-Ajami had already sealed the Olympic spot in the team event, as he was part of the Qatari team which earned a place at the Rio 2016 with victory at the second leg of the Furusiyya 2015 series in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in February last year.
“I am delighted with this win, especially as it has come at home and in front of my people,” said al-Ajami. “I didn’t expect to win to be honest. It was a tough field, with riders like Alsharbatly, who have lot of experience, also competing. So I am glad I could win in the end,” he added.
The Qatari praised his horse, Armstrong Van De Kapel.
“We just bought him a few months back for the Olympics. He has done really well. At the Olympics, we will try our best. It won’t be easy but Olympics is our big target and we are working hard towards doing well at Rio,” al-Ajami said.
Alsharbatly took home QR92,060 for finishing second, while Qatar’s Ali Yousef al-Rumaihi came third in Gunder for a prize money of QR69,045.
Earlier, Al Udeid trio of Saed Saad, Salman Mohammed al-Emadi and Tina Lund combined to give their team a comfortable victory CSI4* Table (A) One round against the clock, Art. 238.5.1, 145cm team event.Saad of Egypt, Mohammed al-Emadi of Qatar and Denmark’s Lund were in fine form as they collectively timed 222.99 seconds to lead Al Udeid to top spot.
The trio shared 89,088 in prize money. The second place went to Lusail, comprising Hamad Ali al-Attiyah, Mohd Osama El Borai and Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami, while the third spot was claimed by Al Shaqab’s Ibrahim Hani Bisharat, Khaled Abdulrahman Almobty and Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan.

Kuwait’s al-Khorafi dominates CSI2*
Meanwhile, there was no stopping Kuwait’s Ali al-Khorafi, who kept his stronghold in the CSI2*, as he won both the events on the final day.
The 26-year-old has nearly swept the CSI2* events held in Doha over the last three months and yesterday he was once again in his elements. Al-Khorafi partnered with Cheril to win the CSI2* Table (A) Against the clock with jump off, Art. 238.2.2, 145cm, keeping the two Qataris at bay. The Kuwaiti came home in 34.21 seconds to pocket QR17,500.
Qatar’s Rashid Towaim al-Marri (Kannada) and Awad Alqahtani (Santos) were second and third, respectively.
In the CSI2* - Two Phases, Art. 274.5.3, 125cm event, al-Khorafi triumphed this time with Ungarin 4.
The pair produced a winning time of 24.19 seconds, for a pursue of QR12,500. Saudi rider’s Saad Alajami (Wait N See) was second, while Abdullah Alrajhi (H Zoe) came third.

Results
CSI4* Table (A) Two rounds with jump off, Art. 273.3.4.1, 4.5, 2.2, 160cm
1. Faleh Suwead al-Ajami (Qatar) Armstrong Van De Kapel. Time: 39.08 secs, QR115,075
2. Abdullah Alsharbatly (Saudi Arabia) Little Pezi, QR92,060
3. Ali Yousef al-Rumaihi (Qatar) Gunder, QR69,045.00
CSI4* Table (A) One round against the clock , Art. 238.5.1, 145cm - Team event
1. Al Udeid (Saed Saad, Salman Mohammed al-Emadi, Tina Lund) Total Time: 222.99 secs, Prize money: QR89,088
2. Lusail (Hamad Ali al-Attiyah, Mohd Osama El Borai, Ramzy Hamad al-Duhami), 240.45 secs, QR 70,656.
3. Al Shaqab (Ibrahim Hani Bisharat, Khaled Abdulrahman Almobty, Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan), 221.14 secs, QR55,296
CSI2* Table (A) Against the clock with jump off, Art. 238.2.2, 145cm
1. Ali al-Khorafi (Kuwait) Cheril. Time: 34.21 secs, QR17,500
2. Rashid Towaim al-Marri (Qatar) Kannada, 36.27 QR14,000
3. Awad Alqahtani (Qatar) Santos, 38.43 secs, QR10,500.
CSI2* - Two Phases, Art. 274.5.3, 125cm
1. Ali al-Khorafi (Kuwait) Ungarin 4. Time: 24.19 secs, Prize money: QR12,500
2. Saad Alajami (Saudi Arabia) Wait N See, 25.86 secs, QR10,000
3. Abdullah Alrajhi (Saudi Arabia) H Zoe, 26.15 secs, QR7,500.