Doha, Qatar, March 26, 2023: The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) reports that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have qualified for the show jumping event of the equestrian competition at Paris 2024.
In an exciting five-way battle for the two qualifying spots from Africa and the Middle East on offer at the FEI Nations Cup in Doha, Saudi Arabia led the field with 15 penalty points, followed by UAE, qualifying for their first Olympics, with 25.
Egypt finished third on 34 and Morocco fourth on 41. Hosts Qatar were eliminated in the second round.
It was team anchor Abdullah Alsharbatly who clinched a definitive Saudi victory with a brilliant double-clear performance from Alamo.
The 40-year-old London Olympian and individual world silver medallist said: “I’m really happy for my King, my country, for my teammates and for all the Saudis. I’m over the moon.”
Ramzy Al Duhami, who was on the Olympic bronze medal-winning Saudi team alongside Alsharbatly in 2012, will be heading to his sixth Olympic Games next summer.
“I’m so happy for myself and my teammates; they made a really great performance and our captain, Abdullah Alsharbatly, has really done it for us today,” said the experienced 51-year-old athlete.
At 24 years of age, Khaled Almobty is the youngest Saudi team member.
“Today is a day to remember for the rest of our lives. To qualify for the most important show in the world, the most important Games in the world - the Olympic Games - I’m very happy and proud of my teammates for all the hard work they put in. Hopefully we can continue success in the Olympics,” he said.
Abdulrahman Alrajhi, 27, added: “We were fighting for the last four years because we didn’t qualify for the last Olympics. I’m so happy and proud to be part of this. Abdullah Alsharbatly is our machine; he really put in an unbelievable two clear rounds today that we are very proud of.”
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates join the list of countries qualified for Paris 2024: France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Belgium.
The Doha International Show Jumping Nations Cup Olympic qualifying event took place on February 27.
Source: https://inside.fei.org