Doha, January 24 (QNA) - HE Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF) Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al-Thani awarded on Saturday the top three finishers in the five-star Grand Prix at the close of the third round of HH the Father Amir Grand Prix 2026, held at Longines Arena in Al Shaqab. The event drew a wide field of world-ranked riders and offered prize money exceeding EUR 3.3 million.

HE Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud crowned the top three finishers in the three-star Grand Prix.

British rider Scott Brash won the five-star Grand Prix (1.60 m). Austria's Gerfried Puck finished second, while Saudi rider Abdulrahman Alrajhi placed third.

Brash continued his strong showing by also claiming the three-star Grand Prix title (1.50 m). Belgium's Abdelkader Said finished second, followed by American rider Kristen Vanderveen in third place.

In the one-star Grand Prix (1.30 m), American rider Suzette Tittle took first place ahead of Egypt's Fatima Mohanad Alkishawi. Qatari rider Saad Ahmed Al Saad finished third. The awards were presented by Ali Al Shaiba, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

The final day featured nine competitions across the one-, three- and five-star categories, in addition to youth events qualifying for Group VII and a local class set at 1.00 meter.

In the three-star event at 1.40 meters, Qatari rider Fares Saad Al Qahtani claimed first place. Saudi rider Khaled Al Hadi finished second, while Qatar's Mohammed Khalifa Al Baker placed third. The winners were crowned by HE Jassim Rashid Al Buainain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and vice chairman of the organizing committee for the Qatar 2026 International Equestrian Championships. (

In the first five-star class at a height of 150 cm, Saudi rider Abdullah Al Sharbatly secured first place, followed by Italian rider Emanuele Gaudiano in second place, while Austrian rider Gerfried Backe. The winners were crowned by CEO of the Education Above All Foundation Mohammed Al Kubaisi.

In the three-star class at a height of 130 cm was won by Qatari rider Sultan Salem Al Nuaimi, followed by Saudi rider Mohammed Al Asaker in second and third place respectively. The winners were crowned by marketing and communications manager for the championship Abdullah Al Qashouti.

In the Star category class at a height of 120 cm, Saudi rider Khalid Al Hadi secured first place, with Qatari rider Abdullah Ahmed Al Khalifi and Saudi rider Funoon Al Humaidan tied for second place. The winners were crowned by the tournament's Sporting director Salmeen Al Suwaidi.

The Youth category class, part of the qualifying rounds for Group 7 at a height of 120 cm with a jump-off, saw Qatari dominance. Rider Khalid Jassim Al-Suwaidi claimed first place, followed by Tamim bin Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Suhaim Hamad Al Yafai, with the winners being crowned by stables manager for the tournament's organizing committee Mohammed Al Suwaidi.

In the local 100cm class, rider Mariam Mohammed Al Sada secured first place, followed by Al Qaqa bin Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Dana Omar Al Emadi. Alya Hamad Al-Thani and Al Qaqa bin Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani were fourth and fifth-place winners respectfully. The winners were crowned by Director of Strategic Business Accounts at Ooredoo Qatar Bader Shaheen Al Kuwari.

The fourth and final round of the championship will take place from January 29 to 31 at Al Shaqab Equestrian Center, featuring various categories and jump heights.

The inaugural edition of the championship is jointly organized by the Qatar Equestrian Federation, Al Shaqab, and the Qatar Olympic Committee, in partnership with Qatar Airways as the official carrier, United Development Company as a complementary partner, Saleh Ahmed Al Mana Group as the transport partner, Al Kass Sports Channels as the broadcasting partner, Education Above All Foundation as the humanitarian partner, Hamad Medical Corporation as the medical partner, and Ooredoo as the official communications partner. The HH the Father Amir Award includes four international rounds for one-star and five-star categories, in addition to competitions for junior and youth riders, with qualifying rounds for the FEI Group VII finals being held within the second, third, and fourth rounds. (QNA)