Experienced, rising riders to compete at CHI AL SHAQAB

“For us it is the most fantastic trial run for Rio and lets us see how our horses react to flying and the heat - all of which is an invaluable learning experience.”

Para-equestrian dressage riders and their horses from around the world have jetted into Doha, Qatar, to take part in the annual CHI AL SHAQAB competition. The fourth edition of the prestigious equestrian competition will see some of the world’s top riders compete over 3-5 March at the AL SHAQAB state-of-the-art equestrian centre.

The Dutch to no surprise have fielded a particularly strong team led by current world and European individual and freestyle champion Rixt van der Horst, accompanied by her other medal winning teammates Nicole Den Dulk, Demi Vermeulen, Lotte Krijnsen and Sanne Voets. Up-and-coming rider Annemarieke Roling-Nobel completes the team.

“I'm very excited to be here in Doha again,” Van der Horst said. “It's a very special competition here because only the best riders are invited and competing.

“I'm looking forward to the competition and we are very happy with the chance to ride at such an atmosphere and in these temperatures. It’s a really good test for Rio later this year.”

Austria’s reigning Paralympic grade Ib gold medallist, world silver medallist and current individual and freestyle European champion Pepo Puch is also competing. Germany will be represented by world bronze medallist Elke Philipp, London 2012 bronze medallist Angelika Trabert and Carolin Schnarre.

Other Paralympic medallists include Ireland’s London 2012 team bronze winning James Dwyer and South Africa’s Beijing 2008’s double gold medallist Philippa Johnson-Dwyer.

Other rising riders include Latvia’s Rihards Snikus, Denmark’s Susanne Jensby Sunesen of Denmark and Finland’s Janna Kivimaki. Overall, 12 countries will be represented by 24 riders throughout the competition, which is now in its fourth year.

“It is as always such a privilege to be invited to ride in Doha - it is the experience of a life time and the amount of effort that goes into all the organisation is mind blowing,” Johnson-Dwyer said. “The people here are all so friendly and helpful nothing is too much effort.

“For us it is the most fantastic trial run for Rio and lets us see how our horses react to flying and the heat - all of which is an invaluable learning experience.”