Ayo Victor
Doha: The FEI Group VII Finals will get underway on Wednesday at the Longines Arena in Al Shaqab, with more than 100 riders participating from across the region in a four-day championship.
The event will see junior, youth and senior riders compete for a total prize purse of €318,000, with competitions scheduled daily across multiple categories.
In a significant development, this year’s edition marks the introduction of the Under-25 (U25) class for the first time. Sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation, the category is open to riders aged 16 to 25 and is widely recognised across Europe and the United States as a key stepping stone to elite competition.
The U25 class runs alongside the Longines Global Champions Tour, contributes to international rankings and provides emerging riders with valuable exposure at the highest level.
Action begins daily from 5pm to 8:30pm, with opening competitions featuring junior and youth classes at heights of 110cm and 120cm, followed by the U25 class at 135cm. The second day will include both individual and team events across all divisions, with fences ranging from 110cm to 140cm.
On Friday, competitions start at 2pm with a local junior class, followed by team events for juniors and youth. The highlight will be the U25 Grand Prix at 145cm, scheduled for 9:30pm.
The championship will conclude on Saturday with a series of junior and youth competitions, with jump heights reaching up to 135cm.
Tournament Director Sheikh Talal bin Khalid Al Thani underlined the steady growth of the event, noting continued improvements in both organisation and the level of competition.
“The introduction of the U25 category marks a significant step forward,” he said.
“It strengthens the development pathway for young riders, helping them progress to elite levels while gaining valuable international experience ahead of major global competitions.”
