Doha, March 14 (QNA) - The organizing committee of the Doha Equestrian Tours announced today that it had successfully operated two emergency flights from Doha to Europe to safely transport horses participating in the championship, amid the exceptional circumstances currently affecting the region.

In a statement, the committee confirmed that the operation was carried out in cooperation with the relevant authorities and partners, in accordance with the highest standards of safety and care, ensuring the well-being of the horses and the participating teams.

The committee added that the horses that had been in Doha for the championship rounds were transported according to precise organizational procedures, after obtaining the necessary approvals from the competent authorities to arrange two emergency flights to move the horses and participating teams to Europe. This made it possible to return all 147 horses to Europe safely within just 36 hours.

It noted that the transfer operation was carried out through close coordination and intensive efforts between the Doha Equestrian Tours team and the relevant Qatari authorities, including the dispatch of two flights to Liege, Belgium. A total of 74 horses were transported on the first flight and 73 horses on the second, while some members of the accompanying crews were able to travel with their horses on the special flights.

The organizing committee also provided additional logistical support for the remaining crew members, given the current situation, the continued closure of Qatari airspace, and the suspension of commercial flights from Hamad International Airport.

Several vehicles were arranged to transport horse crews and trainers who were unable to travel on the emergency flights due to limited capacity, through land transport services from Doha to Riyadh and to Oman, where airspace remains open, enabling them to travel onward and reunite with their horses in Europe.

The committee confirmed that the previously prepared risk assessment plans and emergency procedures for the Doha Equestrian Tour proved effective. All necessary measures were implemented in line with the evolving situation while maintaining the highest standards of safety and organization.

The organizing committee also explained that some riders, teams, horses, and trainers remain in Doha at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, along with local riders and participants from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, who continue their preparations to complete the season’s competitions. It noted that the committee is fully ready to resume the competitions as soon as permission is granted.

Director of the Doha Equestrian Tour Championship Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin said that organizing an operation of this scale to transport horses under the current exceptional circumstances required a high level of coordination and teamwork. He added that transporting horses was inherently complex, yet successfully accomplished despite the extraordinary conditions.

He also emphasized that the safety of the horses and the security of all participants remained the top priorities throughout every stage of the transport process.

He added that that regular air travel options were not available at the time. Despite that, strong relationships with key partners and rapid coordination among the various concerned parties helped secure the necessary resources and arrange two flights within a short period of time while completing all required veterinary documentation and transport paperwork for international travel. (QNA)