Mohamed Khalifa Albaker took the opening spoils of the Big Tour at the Qatar Equestrian Tour - Longines Hathab on Saturday. At Qatar Equestrian Federation’s Indoor Arena, Albaker astride 15-year-old Verona produced two clear rounds in 30. 70 and 31. 10 seconds to top the 16-field 140 cm class. Albaker pocketed QR15000 for his victory. In second was Frenchwoman Cyrine Cherif with nine-year-old mare I’am Moerhoeve’s Princess Z. The duo clocked 31. 37 and 31. 57 seconds without fault in the two phases. Faleh Suwead al-Ajami was third with 12-year-old bay Ambre De Beaufour, registering times of 31. 18 and 35. 24. The Open Class victory went to Hussain Saeed Haidan riding Viahipi D’auzay. The pair came home fastest in 53. 49 secs. Nasser al-Ghazali, astride 10-year-old Hurry Up, was second with a time of 54. 26, while Cyrine Cherif and Brennus Villelongue combined to take third position after a faultless routine in 56. 16. The Future Riders competition saw Mohamed Abdulla al-Marri on Whistler taking the title after a perfect show in 47. 04. Kaltham Thani al-Sowaidi, who rode QEF-owned Latino 291, was also impressive completing the round in 46. 56 with a flawless performance to take second position. Abdulaziz Abdulla Alabri, riding Kashmir was third in the event with a time of 48. 29 after an error-free show. Meanwhile, Badr Mohamed al-Darwish, President of Qatar Equestrian & Modern Pentathlon Federation, termed this year as exceptional for Qatari sports in general because it is the year of FIFA World Cup 2022 being hosted by Qatar and being held for the first time in the Middle East and Arab region. Al-Darwish said the equestrian season has therefore started early this year so that the riders can get into the groove before the season takes a break during the World Cup. Al-Darwish confirmed that the calendar of local championships will go according to what is planned, most notably HH The Amir’s Equestrian Festival which will be held in February 2023, in addition to the two annual international events organised at Al Shaqab. Al-Darwish said that the Qatar’s equestrian team will take part in preparation camp in the Netherlands ahead of the qualifiers for Paris 2024 Olympic Games besides other Arab and international championships. Results Big Tour | Table A, Special Two phases, Art. 274. 2. 5 | 130/140cm | Prize Money QR45,000 1. Horse - Verona, Rider - Mohamed Khalifa Albaker, Phase 1/Faults 30. 70 Secs (0), 31. 10 Secs (0) 2. I’am Moerhoeve’s Princess Z, Cyrine Cherif, 31. 37 (0), 31. 57 (0) 3. Ambre De Beaufour, Faleh Suwead al-Ajami, 31. 18 (0), 35. 24 (0) Open Class | Table A, One round against the clock | 115/120cm | Prize Money QR25,000 1. Horse - Viahipi D’auzay, Rider - Hussain Saeed Haidan, Time/Faults - 53. 49 (0) 2. Hurry Up - Nasser al-Ghazali, 54. 26 (0) 3. Brennus Villelongue, Cyrine Cherif, 56. 16 (0) Future Riders | Optimum Time | Max. 80cm 1. Horse - Whistler, Rider - Mohamed Abdulla al-Marri, Time/Faults - 47. 04 (0), Difference - 0. 04 2. Latino 291 Kaltham Thani al-Sowaidi, 46. 56 (0), 0. 44 3. Kashmir Abdulaziz Abdulla Alabri, 48. 29 (0), 1. 29 Future Riders | Optimum Time | Max. 90cm 1. Horse - Leon Van’t Prinsenveld, Rider - Noora Batti al-Nuaimi, Time/Faults 46. 92 (0), Difference - 0. 08 2. Wadi Rum D D H, Mariam Abdulkarim Abed, 47. 35 (0), 0. 35 3. Sita, Hadi Mansour al-Shahwani, 46. 55 (0), 0. 45      .