Qatar is fast becoming one of the leading nations in Show Jumping thanks to the work of Jan Tops. Based in Valkenswaard in The Netherlands, the Qatari riders show determination, ambition and perseverance to reach the highest level. Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani became famous as one of the anchor riders of the Qatari team especially at the World Equestrian Games where he finished in the top five in the championship. Equnews France has interviewed Sheikh Ali to ask him about his horses, his team and his Olympic hopes :
In the last two or three years, Qatar has really developed as a horse nation, how do you describe this change ?
Qatar always had a lot of horses in certain disciplines, but in show jumping we only started to compete at the highest level 3 years ago and we focused on this part of the sport and we progressed really fast. We now have lots of great horses and great riders and the training system we have with Jan Tops is going really well.
We have the olympics in mind, it was a target to qualify and we did well but we won’t stop on this, we are always looking forward. We now need to build a good team, it’s difficult for us, we are a small country, but we are going to try our best and I hope we will have good results.
Last year you had great results with Vienna Olympic, as was seen at the WEG, can you talk about Vienna’s character ?
She has all the qualities, she is a very good horse. I followed her progress since she was seven years old, and I really liked her but she wasn’t for sale but I pushed hard to get her. I had a lot of success with her, she has a great mind, she is very cool. But at home she can be a little bit lazy, but during competitions she is great. A lot of horses are like this but I love to ride her, she’s great.
During Championship you always have a lot of pressure, but Vienna is so cool so she takes away that stress. When you go in the ring you know that she is a very careful horse, she is going to do her best, she is really great.
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Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani and Vienna Olympic at the WEG in Normandy last year[/caption]
You had great results with Vienna Olympic this year too, is she the horse you are preparing for the Olympic Games ?
Vienna Olympic is my best horse so far. But for the olympics you never know what is going to happen until next year. I have another good horse that I brought to Vegas, First Division, so we will have to wait and see which one I will take.
Can you talk to us about that horse, First Division ?
I have him for 4 or 5 months now, he is also a very good horse, he has all the scope. He is a little bit more difficult than Vienna, a little bit more bloody in the ring. But we had great results, we won the World Cup Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi and we have had some really good places.
You were also the rider of Eurocommerce California that is now with Ali Yusef Al Rumahi, is she going to stay with him ?
She is going to stay with him. He needed Grand Prix horses and she had more experience than the others that I have so we thought it would be good for him. And they go well together so she is going to stay with him.
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Sheikh Ali with Eurocommerce California in Paris[/caption]
The Qatari team always seems to be a really united team, and you all seem really close to Jan Tops, can you explain this partnership ?
Yes the team spirit that we have is what’s making us successful. Jan Tops is really nice, it's more than just business, we are like a family now. We are always together, he is a great person. He knows everything about the sport and he was very successful so he really helps us to get to this level and without him we wouldn't be where we are in the sport now.
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Team Qatar at the WEG[/caption]
In Miami you finished second in the American Invitational behind Scott Brash with Concordija, can you talk to us about that relatively new mount ?
Concordija is my speed horse, it was the first time she jumped such a class, I had not jumped her at more than five shows before Miami, I've just bought her. But she is a very careful horse. In this class I thought in the beginning that it would be a little bit too big for her but she did really, really good. Then in the jump off I knew she was really careful so I said "now I'll go for it". Finally I ended behind Scott Brash, he is a super rider, I was last to go, so I had the advantage and I actually turned a little bit shorter than him everywhere but Concordija takes a bit more time in the air. But I was really happy with my second place, she is a great horse.
Qatar is known for buying a lot of already experienced horses, would you say that is your case ?
No, I prefer young horses, I bought my most successful horses when they were young. Like Vienna, I got her when she was eight and First Division was nine. I like to build up my horses than to buy them with already a lot of experience.
Finally, If you could ride any other horse, who would it be ?
Definitely, Fit For Fun. (Luciana Diniz)
Photos : ©Equnews.fr
