DOHA: The ninth leg of the prestigious Longines Hathab – Qatar Equestrian Tour is set to take place from March 13 to 15 at the renowned Al Shaqab Longines Outdoor and Indoor Arena. With eight successful rounds completed, anticipation is high as riders prepare to compete following a series of international show jumping and dressage events hosted in Qatar.
The Longines Hathab Tour, a marquee event in the region’s equestrian calendar, features 14 rounds of dressage and show jumping competitions held at the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) and Al Shaqab’s Longines arenas. Additionally, the Future Riders category serves as a platform for nurturing young talent, highlighting the country’s commitment to equestrian sports development.
For Qatari riders like Rashid Al Najmi, the Hathab Tour plays a crucial role in their preparation for both local and international competitions. “Hathab is an invaluable experience for riders, providing exposure and training that helps us prepare for elite international events such as CHI Al Shaqab, the Global Champions Tour, the Doha Tour, and HH The Amir Sword Festival. Competing alongside international riders gives us insights into different riding techniques and strategies,” Rashid stated after a practice session at Al Shaqab’s Longines arena.
Over the years, Qatar has emerged as a key hub for equestrian excellence, hosting top-tier events that allow local riders to gain experience at an international level. The state-of-the-art Al Shaqab Arena has been instrumental in helping professional riders gear up for the global equestrian circuit, particularly during the early months of the year before heading to Europe for competitions in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.
Ninth Round Schedule
The ninth round of the Longines Hathab Tour will commence with the customary veterinary check and arena familiarization on March 13, followed by competitive action from Thursday night.
Thursday, March 13
- Future Riders (6 to 12 years old): Optimum Time – 8:00 PM
- Future Riders (12 to 16 years old): Optimum Time – 9:00 PM
- Small Tour: Accumulator with Joker – 11:00 PM
Friday, March 14
- Amateur Class: Table A, Two Phases – 8:00 PM
- Medium Tour: Table A, Special Two Phases (Individual & Team) – 11:00 PM
Saturday, March 15
- Dressage Introductory: Test 2 – Introductory Test B – 8:00 PM
- Dressage Preliminary: Test 3 – FEI Children Preliminary B – 9:00 PM
- Dressage Elementary: Test 2 – FEI Children Individual – 10:00 PM
- Dressage Medium: Test 2 – FEI Junior Team – 11:00 PM
- Open Class: Table A, One Round Against the Clock – 8:00 PM
- Big Tour: Table A, One Round Against the Clock with Jump-Off – 9:00 PM
Upcoming Rounds of the Longines Hathab Tour
The Longines Hathab Tour will continue with the following rounds:
- Hathab 10: Jumping & Future Riders (March 20 – 22, 2025)
- Hathab 11: Dressage, Jumping & Future Riders (April 10 – 12, 2025)
- Hathab 12: Jumping & Future Riders (April 17 – 19, 2025)
- Hathab 13: Dressage, Jumping & Future Riders (May 1 – 3, 2025)
- Hathab 14: Jumping & Future Riders (May 8 – 10, 2025)
With six more rounds to follow, the competition promises thrilling action as riders continue to refine their skills and chase championship glory. The Longines Hathab Tour remains a cornerstone of Qatar’s equestrian aspirations, further solidifying its place as a premier destination for the sport in the region.
