THE TEAM
Home of the Qatari National Team, the Endurance Center at Al Shaqab prepares Qatari competitors for national, regional and international endurance events, including the European Championships, the Asian Games, and the FEI World Equestrian Games.
The current team, headed by HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani and composed of six riders, has already achieved considerable success and is projected to nearly double in size in the coming years.
TEAM CAPTAIN
HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani will always be remembered for his breathtaking ride as the torchbearer who lit the cauldron in the dramatic opening ceremonies of the 2006 Asian Games in Doha. The gallop up the steep slope to the top of the arena would have been daunting for any horse and rider, but rain made the task even more challenging. Yet challenges are nothing new to HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad, who has been competing in endurance events since the age of 15 when he placed third in his very first ride.
As a seasoned competitor in endurance racing, HE Sheikh Mohammed understands the dedication and teamwork required for success in this sport. He also possesses a distinct vision for the Endurance Center at Al Shaqab, which includes not only training endurance champions, but breeding them as well. More importantly, he is devoted to developing a new generation of equestrian enthusiasts, continuing the tradition of excellence in horsemanship that is integral to the Qatari heritage.
THE TEAM
Essa Ahmed Al Mannai
FEI ID Number: 10030718
Date of Birth: 1973
Essa, who works in the Operations Department of RasGas, began riding horses in 1990. He joined Al Shaqab in 2006 and has participated in various national and international competitions and championship rides. In addition to his victories in national competition, Essa has consistently been among the top finishers in challenging international competitions in England, Malaysia and France.
Fahad Mohammad Al Hajeri
FEI ID Number: 10014686
Date of Birth: 1980
Fahad, who has been with Al Shaqab as a rider and competitor since 2005, is also a member of the Qatar Army with experience both as a parachute jumper and diver specializing in rescue missions. Partnered with the horse Tequila he was victorious in the Khaleej Cup in 2006 and also earned a 4th place in the Doha Asiad.
Abdul Rahman Al Sulaitin
FEI ID Number: 10017552
Date of Birth: 1986
Abdul Rahman has represented Qatar well in international competition. Riding Saruk Nasra, he finished 13th in the Sultan's Cup Terrenganu Endurance Challenge in Malaysia in 2007. Such success in international competition of this caliber ensures that he will continue to be an important member of the Qatari team.
Abdulla Towaim Al Marri
FEI ID Number: 1001936
Date of Birth: 1988
A Grade 11 student at the Al Doha Secondary School, Abdullah began riding in 1996 and has participated in the sport of endurance racing since 2003. Just two years later he won 1st place aboard Al Hadra in the Al Malik Cup in Bahrain. In 2006 he placed 2nd in the Gulf Cup and 3rd in the Catus CEI 119 kilometer race in France. Other highlights of his endurance career include a 6th place finish in the Pan Arab Endurance Championship aboard Idaho Champ and a 9th finish riding Shagar in the Euston Park Endurance Ride in England, an FEI, CEI 160 kilometer event.
Hamad Ali Rashid Al Marri
FEI ID Number: 10018337
Date of Birth: 1989
Hamad, a final year student at the Mohammed Bin Abdul Wahab Secondary School in Doha, has been a consistent competitor in national, regional and international endurance competitions. In 2006 he placed 1st at the Catus CEI 119 kilometer rider in France aboard Mansour. He also had a successful year in 2007 with a first in the GCC Cup FEI 120 kilometer event, and a second in England at the Euston Park FEI, CEI 120 kilometer race, both times riding Bentley. Hamad also had several other top finishes in 2007, including the Pan Arab Endurance Championship, the Kings Cup in Bahrain, and the World Cup Qualification Round and International Race in Qatar.
Saad Senan Al Kaabi
FED ID Number: 10038581
Daet of Birth: 1990
Saad is a promising young junior rider for the Qatar Team and has already enjoyed two successful competitions in 2007 aboard two different horses. He placed 2nd in the CEI 80 kilometer race in Doha riding Louvine and earned another 2nd at the CEI 100 kilometer race in Doha just two weeks later aboard Flash. Most recently he was the winner in the Junior Division in a Qatari National Endurance event.