Doha, January 01 (QNA) - The Organizing Committee of the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026 has unveiled the details of HH the Father Amir's Equestrian Prize, the first round of which will commence tomorrow, Friday, at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab and run for three days. The event will feature the participation of more than 240 riders representing 32 countries, with total prize money exceeding EUR 3.3 million.

During a press conference held today at Al Shaqab, the Organizing Committee confirmed that the championship will consist of four international rounds, ranging from one-star to five-star categories, in addition to dedicated competitions for young riders and juniors. This structure reflects the event's strong technical caliber and its significance on the international equestrian calendar.

The first round of the championship will begin tomorrow and continue until 4 January, followed by the second round from 8 to 10 January, and the third from 22 to 24 January.

The fourth and final round will take place from 29 to 31 January. The second, third, and fourth rounds will include qualifying classes for the Group VII Finals of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), lending the competitions a highly competitive and elite character.

In this regard, Deputy Tournament Director, Mohammed Jaber Al Khayareen stated that this prize represents the inaugural event of the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026 and carries special symbolic significance as it bears the name of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

He added that the championship has garnered broad interest from the international equestrian community, with a distinguished group of the world's top riders competing over four weeks filled with excitement. This, he noted, further strengthens the standing of the Doha Equestrian Tour on the global equestrian map and reflects Doha's status as a sports capital, particularly as it coincides with a number of major international sporting events hosted by the State of Qatar during this period.

Al Khayareen remarked: "The relevant committees have worked tirelessly over the past period to ensure the event is organized according to the highest standards of quality and professionalism, in line with Qatar's reputation and expertise in hosting major sporting events. Today, we stand at the starting line of the championship at Al Shaqab, one of the finest equestrian venues in the world, reaffirming our commitment to delivering an exceptional sporting experience for both riders and spectators."

For his part, the Championship's Sporting Director, Salmeen Al Suwaidi elaborated on the technical aspects of the event, noting the participation of several world-ranked riders, including Belgian rider Abdelkader Said, Germany's Philipp Weishaupt, and last year's winner of the Sword of His Highness the Amir, German rider Janne Friederike Zimmermann, along with a host of elite riders from various countries and neighboring states.

Speaking to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), Assistant Tournament Director, Sheikh Talal bin Khalid Al-Thani praised the extensive efforts made to organize the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026. He emphasized that launching the championship with the Father Amir's Equestrian Prize -one of the most prestigious and highly valued competitions in the hearts of Qataris- represents a strong start to an exceptional season.

He concluded by noting that organizing 10 championships over the course of four months reflects the scale of preparation and effort invested, adding that tomorrow's opening at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab will be presented in its finest form, befitting the name and stature of the championship.

In the same context, Director of Marketing and Communications for the championship, Abdullah Al Qashouti stated that the competition will be preceded by an official opening ceremony featuring a variety of artistic performances suitable for all audience segments, in addition to light shows, drone displays, and equestrian-related activities at the competition venue.

He added that the Organizing Committee has designated a dedicated fan zone offering entertainment facilities and a wide range of cafes and retail outlets, as well as accompanying events in the outdoor areas surrounding the Longines Arena. These activities will involve service providers, business owners, and artists throughout the championship days, reflecting Qatari hospitality and heritage.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Entosarides Sports, Alejandro Ancin Berdigui stated that preparing an event of this magnitude is a massive undertaking, noting that the continuous work carried out over recent months has been both intensive and highly professional.

He congratulated all those involved in the championship for overcoming the challenges and obstacles they faced, adding that the arrival of such a large number of riders and horses underscores the success of the organizational efforts. With more than 100 competitions and broad participation from elite riders and horses, he said, this edition stands out as a landmark event on the global equestrian calendar. (QNA)