Alkass Digital
Expressing delight on another successful season, Commercial Director of Al Shaqab Omar Al Mannai has said Longines Hathab - Qatar’s premier domestic equestrian series – is helping riders improve their skills which will help them in the future.
The season 6 of Hathab concluded at the weekend with riders producing thrilling performance throughout the season particularly in the final round.
Al Mannai, who is also the Vice-Chairman of Higher Organising Committee of Longines Hathab, said international events added colours to the recently-concluded season.
“The season had a mix of international equestrian events. This year there were additional 2-star and 3-star competitions which added a very positive value to the overall season. The riders’ abilities have been rising in stature and in the final Tour we saw top level performances. It was a well-studied and well spread equestrian series throughout the year,” Al Mannai, who represented Qatar at many international events and at the Asian Games in Doha in 2006, told reporters.
“The length of the season has also been of significance since the upcoming riders will learn as to how to keep their horses in good shape so that they can keep performing with their trusted horses throughout the season. This was one of our objectives to set as a learning curve for all the riders,” he added.
On more riders now having their own horses, Al Mannai said: “Encouraging the riders, especially the youngsters, to own their own horses was set as a target for us three years ago. And today, there are almost 30 to 45 new horses competing in Hathab every season.”
He said Hathab’s continuous success is a result of a plan “conceived a long time ago”.
“We are putting together all the methods and encouragement for the riders and their parents to invest in their children and their good future. That has been our aim from the very beginning. Hopefully, we have already achieved that but this is not the end of the story. Now there will be more competitions and growing standards. For us at the organising committee we have a role to make it more competitive, more attractive, increasing the number of sponsors and thereby the prize money as well,” he said.
Al Mannai also hailed the growing number of female riders taking part in the series.
“The number of female riders has highly increased and this is something which we encourage. Also, we are giving opportunities for those who want to be a part of our various functional areas. We believe in the spirit of teamwork and oneness without differentiating besides equestrian is also a gender equal sport.”
Speaking about Al Shaqab that hosts world class equestrian events every year, Al Mannai said the target has always been to bring improvement.
“After every event, we look at the good points and the challenges we faced and try to enhance regularly. After every tour, every season we review things. The development part is something which we are majorly considering. We are also looking at other competitions in the region and the world for a comparative study to be used as a benchmark for progressive growth. I feel we have succeeded so far but we want to excel so that others see us as the benchmark,” he said.