Cherif tops Diamond Round; Haidan wins Bronze Tour

Doha [Qatar], April 26: France's Cyrine Cherif delivered a composed performance to win the Diamond Round 150cm class during the eleventh round of the Longines Hathab - Qatar Equestrian Tour held at the main arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation on Saturday.
Cherif guided Triple T Calamando Blue to a faultless finish in 31.48 seconds. Saudi Arabia's Khaled Aleid secured second place aboard Rakker Dmc in 32.11 seconds, while Qatar's Mohammed Saeed Haidan finished third riding Wathnan Stand By Me in 32.36 seconds.
Speaking after her victory, Cherif said: "My horse was a bit slow today so I was cautious and stayed steady and it worked. I'm glad to have won but I would have been happy with any podium finish. My horse had too much to do through the season and the Doha Equestrian Tours. But yes, having won a Grand Prix at DET, even 1.50m now appears smaller when I go into the arena."
In the Bronze Tour 120cm, Qatar's Hussain Saeed Haidan claimed first place riding D Saucedo in 28.77 seconds. Saudi Arabia's Khaled Al Hadi finished second aboard Carlton de Sauvageonn in 29.33 seconds, while Kuwait's Annaz Al Annaz took third place with Be Bop de Lyons in 29.41 seconds.
In the Bronze Tour Teams event, Marwan Al Shaqab secured first place with a clear round in 61.93 seconds, followed by Ajwad in second place with 72.89 seconds, while Gazal Al Shaqab finished third after incurring four faults in 63.70 seconds.
In the Future Riders 90cm class, Qatar's Salha Khalid Al Obaidli claimed first place riding Violet Van Het Koetshuis in 21.57 seconds. Alqaqaa Tamim Al Thani finished second aboard Bon Suela in 22.34 seconds, while Fahad Talal Al Naimi secured third place with Kroaat Van Orchid's in 23.05 seconds.
Meanwhile, in the first dressage competitions, Sharifa Ahmed Al Ansari was crowned Amateur (Introductory Level) champion in Group 7 with a score of 70.119 points. Georgina Roy Khan won the Introductory Level 2 title in Group 7 with 72.625 points, while Hamad Nasser Al Marri recorded 71.5 points to top the Junior category for the Introductory Level 2 test. Michelle Grimes also claimed first place in the Dressage Level 1 class in Group 7 with 70.425 points.
Source: Qatar Tribune