Qatar Equestrian Team Prepares for Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games with 12 Riders and 10 Horses

Doha, 14 September /QNA/ Qatar's Equestrian Federation continues its preparations to participate in the equestrian competitions at the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, scheduled to take place in Japan from 19 September to 4 October, with a group of Qatar's elite riders competing in three disciplines: showjumping, dressage and eventing. They aspire to achieve results that reflect the level of development witnessed by Qatari equestrian sport and strengthen its presence at continental and international events.

Qatar will participate in three main equestrian disciplines: dressage, eventing and showjumping, with four riders in each competition, while the total number of participating horses stands at 10, selected and prepared in accordance with the nature and technical level of the competitions. The Qatari participation comes as part of the ongoing preparations of the national teams. The federation has prepared the riders and horses through a comprehensive training programme aimed at reaching the competitions in the best technical and physical condition and benefiting from the accumulated experience of Qatari riders through their continental and international participation.

The Qatari equestrian delegation includes more than 10 riders distributed across the three teams, following intensive preparations during the past period, including training camps held throughout the summer. These focused on improving technical and physical readiness and adapting to the atmosphere and requirements of the competitions ahead of the major Asian event.

Showjumping will be led by Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani, Sheikh Fahad bin Jassim Al Thani, Falih Suwaid Al Ajmi and Bassem Mohammed, while Qatar will be represented in dressage by Jassim Jiham Al Kuwari and Saud Ahmed Al Buainain. The eventing team comprises Mohammed Jabr Al Nuaimi, Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Mohannadi, Mohammed Salem Al Marri and Mohammed Nasser Al Qadi. Riders in this discipline compete in dressage, cross-country and jumping, requiring complete technical and physical readiness and a high level of concentration throughout the competition.

Equestrian competitions will begin on 21 September with team and individual dressage in eventing, followed the next day by cross-country, before eventing concludes on 23 September with team and individual jumping. Dressage will reach its decisive stage on 25 September with the team final and individual qualification, followed by the individual competitions on 26 and 27 September.

Qatari fans will focus on the showjumping competitions, with the team event beginning on 1 October and the individual competitions taking place on 3 and 4 October, making equestrian sport one of the disciplines to conclude its participation in the Asian Games. Qatar's participation in Aichi-Nagoya follows an extended preparation period during which the riders benefited from summer camps, raised their technical and physical readiness and worked to reach the championship in the best possible condition amid expected competition featuring some of Asia's leading riders.

Through its participation in the three disciplines, Qatari equestrian sport looks forward to strong competition at team and individual level and to achieving results that reflect the development witnessed by the sport in Qatar in recent years. This is supported by the international experience of several participating riders and their ability to handle major championships, as well as the administrative and technical support accompanying the teams.

Qatar's participation reflects the importance attached to equestrian sport, supported by a strong base of experienced riders with international experience and early preparations for the event through training camps held throughout the summer. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games represent an important opportunity for Qatari riders to test their abilities against leading Asian competitors, gain further experience and compete at advanced technical levels, contributing to the continued development of Qatari equestrian sport and preparations for future events.

For his part, Mr Badr bin Mohammed Al Darwish, President of the Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation, said Qatar's participation in the Asian Games in Japan is highly significant. He noted that the federation had worked to provide the best preparation conditions for the participating riders so they could perform in a manner befitting the standing of Qatari equestrian sport.

Al Darwish said: "We are pleased to have reached this stage of preparations for participation in this major continental event, and we have confidence in the abilities of our riders and the experience and capabilities that qualify them to deliver strong performances that meet our ambitions." He added: "The riders of the three national teams completed a comprehensive preparation programme during the summer through training camps focused on raising technical and physical readiness. In coordination with the technical and administrative staff, we were keen to provide the riders with everything they need to prepare in the best possible way for the competitions."

The President of the Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation explained that participation in showjumping, dressage and eventing reflects the breadth of Qatar's equestrian base and the development of its riders. He said: "We have a distinguished group of participating riders, and we hope they will translate the long preparation period into strong performances and positive results. The competition at the Asian Games will be intense, given the participation of some of the best riders in the continent."

He continued: "We wish all Qatar's riders success in these Games and hope they will represent their country in the best possible way and raise Qatar's flag high at this major sporting event." Al Darwish concluded by stressing that teamwork among the riders and the technical and administrative staff is an important factor in achieving the desired objectives. He expressed hope that Qatar's equestrian participation in Aichi-Nagoya would add a new chapter to the achievements made by Qatari sport at Asian and international events.

Equestrian sport holds a prominent position within Qatar's sporting system, with continued development in the preparation of riders and training of horses, alongside regular participation in international and continental competitions. This has helped strengthen Qatar's presence across equestrian disciplines in recent years.

Qatar is participating in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games with a large sporting delegation comprising 243 athletes, as part of its participation in 26 sports and 32 events, reflecting the broad scope of the national participation in this continental competition.

Source: QNA

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