Qatar’s female endurance team impress

Qatar’s Female Endurance Team has done the country proud by qualifying for a race during their first ever outing in France this week. The three-member team of Sheikha Reem Bint Mohammed Al Thani, Khadija Al Bastaki and Haya Mohammed Al Kuwari are the first ever female riders from Qatar to participate in a 60km endurance race qualifier for young horses in Europe. The team did an exceptional timing in the 60km contest in La Perigue and Qatar made the cut for the race (three-year-old horses). The team is currently based with top French trainer Cecile Miletto and is all set to take on the men’s team of Al Shaqab on July 31 at the Tarbes in 90km FEI 1*. The Qatari team’s trainer Sian Jones commended the efforts of her team while taking part on a difficult terrain. “The terrain was a difficult one as compared to what we have in Qatar. However, we have done well in spite of that. “We have worked hard for this. We are very happy to be here in France and qualify for the three-year-olds’ race. The riders and horses did a fantastic job,” Endurance team trainer Jones told the Gulf Times. She added that they were gearing up to face the Al Shaqab team, trained by Qatari Haidi al-Ramzani. “On July 31, we will be up against Qatar’s Al Shaqab team and we are confident of doing well against them.” Siham Boulbadaoui is accompanying the team as the administrator.