The inaugural FEI Group VII Finals, a significant competition for young equestrian athletes, concluded Saturday in Doha, Qatar. The event showcased the talents of riders in the Children, Junior, and Young Rider categories, culminating in awards presented by prominent figures including Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al-Kuwari, Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC). This championship marks a milestone in equestrian development for the Middle East and North Africa region, and underscores Qatar’s growing role as a global equestrian hub.
Held at Al Shaqab’s Longines Outdoor Arena, the three-day event drew competitors from fourteen nations. The FEI Group VII Finals provided a platform for riders to gain valuable experience and aim for future international success, particularly the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Exceptional Performances Highlight the FEI Group VII Finals
The competition kicked off with the 1.25m Young Rider category, where Abdalla Hamad Ali Al Kirbi of the UAE secured the top spot. Egypt’s Ismail Osama El Borai followed in second position, and Ali Mufrrej Ali Mohamed Alkarbi, also from the UAE, rounded out the podium in third. This set the stage for the remaining categories to demonstrate similarly high levels of skill.
In the Children’s Final (CSICH-A 1.15m), Khaled Ahmad Khalifa Al Ayali Al Mheiri of the UAE earned gold. Qatar’s Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al Thani claimed silver, while Saudi Arabia’s Saud Alhadi took home bronze. Competitors from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait secured the remaining top-six positions, demonstrating the broad strength of youth equestrian programs in the region.
Qatar’s own Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani delivered a winning performance in the Juniors Final (CSIJ-A 1.25m). He was followed by Yassin Ramy Abd Al Ghafour of Egypt in second and Mohammad Saeed Al Ghurair of the UAE in third, adding further diversity to the medal count.
Abdalla Hamad Ali Al Kirbi continued his success, claiming his second victory in the Young Riders Final, displaying consistent form throughout the championship. Saad Ahmed Al Saad of Qatar finished as runner-up, and Ismail Osama El Borai of Egypt secured another podium finish.
Qatar’s Commitment to Equestrian Development
The event’s success is a testament to Qatar’s increasing investment in equestrian sports, and particularly its focus on cultivating young talent. According to Event President Khalid Al Hitmi, this edition of the Finals “marks a defining chapter for Al Shaqab and for Group VII”. He further stated the competition allows the host nation to “set a new benchmark for youth equestrian competition in the region.”
This hosting agreement, facilitated by the Qatar Equestrian Federation, builds upon Qatar’s established reputation for organizing world-class equestrian events, including those on the Longines Global Champions Tour. The Junior and Young Rider divisions, in particular, are seen as important development stages for riders aspiring to compete at the senior international level. This event also generated increased FEI visibility in the region.
The event successfully fostered a spirit of sportsmanship and cooperation among participating nations. The presence of key figures like QOC Secretary General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, and President of FEI Regional Group VII Sultan Mohammed Khalifa Al Yahyai underscored the importance of the Finals at both the national and regional level. Supporting youth equestrian programs is a key component of long-term growth in the sport.
Looking ahead, Al Shaqab plans to build on the success of this inaugural event. The exact dates for the 2026 FEI Group VII Finals have not been announced, but organizers are likely to aim for a similar timeframe. Future editions will depend on continued support from the Qatari government and the FEI, as well as strong participation from member nations. The performance of these young athletes will be closely watched as they progress in their equestrian careers.
Related keywords included are youth equestrian, international competition, and Qatar Equestrian Federation.
