The Toymaker earns Bassem big win on home soil
Qatari rider Bassem Hassan Mohammed yesterday lived up to his top billing by guiding The Toymaker to a hard-earned victory in the Grand Prix of Doha - the feature competition on the final day of the Qatar International Show Jumping Championship.
The popular Qatari rider - who will feature in the team event at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio - last night overcame nerves to produce a title-winning ride with The Toymaker to bag the top prize of QR 186,000.
The Toymaker, who had a couple of faults, clocked a time of 56.26 seconds in his second run in the 145/160cm class in what were chilly riding conditions at the Outdoor Arena at Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF).
Bowie Z, ridden by Jordan’s Ibrahim Hani Bisharat, finished in second spot in a time of 46.61 seconds but four faults cost him the top prize. Bisharat earned QR 148,800 for his efforts.
Noblesse Des Tess, who had Saudi rider Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan in the saddle, finished in third spot in a time of 48.61 seconds. Noblesse Des Tess had four faults but Bahamdan still pocketed QR 111,600.
Tabea 20 (4th, Mohamed Talaat) and Castiglione L (5th, Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi) completed the top five. Talaat of Egypt bagged QR 74,400 while Qatar’s Al Rumaihi won QR 52,080.
“It was a great show for us,” Bassem said after picking up his medal.
“I was nervous because I was competing at home but I held my nerve and won the event,” he added.
“I take this opportunity to thank H E Sheikh Joan bin Hamad Al Thani, the President of Qatar Olympic Committee, and Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, the President of Qatar Equestrian Federation, for their support,” Bassem said.
“I thank my riding team for their support. We work as a team and it is good to know we support each other,” he said.
“There’s always pressure when you are competing at home. We don’t have our first-choice horses here since we are preparing for the Olympic Games,” Bassem said.
In competition 10, Jordan’s Bisharat savoured another fruitful run by guiding Brown Sugar to victory in the 145cm class (one round + winning round). Brown Sugar did not disappoint as he produced a neat routine in a time of 37.43 seconds. Bisharat picked up the top prize of QR 29,625.
Saudi rider Abdullah Alsharbatly exhibited a controlled run with Bling Bling 2 to grab the second spot in a time of 40.68 seconds. Alsharbatly got richer by QR 23,700.
Popular Australian rider Edwina Tops-Alexander and Clinton had to settle for the third spot after clocking a time of 41.3 seconds. Edwina won QR 17,775.
Omer Karaveli of Turkey (4th, Cortani) and Ales Opatrny of the Czech Republic (5th, VDL Fakir) completed the top five riders in a field of 26 contestants.
In competition nine, Qatar’s Salmen Sultan Al Suwaidi controlled Cascano with sublime ease to win the 130/135cm. Cascano clocked a time of 62.06 seconds in run against the clock as Al Suwaidi picked up the top prize of QR 5,062.
Noora Al Qaoud paired up with Annalita to nail the second spot in a time of 63.00 seconds on the soft turf at QEF’s Outdoor Arena that got lashed by incessant rains on Friday night. Qatar’s star rider Bassem brought delight in the home camp with Paddys Darco, sealing the third spot in a time of 66.29 seconds.
Fahad Abdulazzi Al Eid of Saudi Arabid (4th, Unlimited) and Maryam Mubarak of Qatar (5th, Casmir’s Son) completed the top five.
In competition eight, Kuwait’s Ali Al Khorafi paired up with Ungarin 4 to win the 120cm class with relative ease. Ungarin 4 cocked a time of 51.64 seconds as Al Khorafi picked up the top prize of QR 2,812.
Jessico 4, ridden by Qatar’s Saeed Al Qadi, finished in second spot in a time of 54.73 seconds. The second prize was worth QR 2,250. Lucky Lady, ridden by Salman Mohammed Al Emadi of Qatar, secured the third spot in a time of 56.35 seconds. The third prize amounted to QR1,687.
