On March 27-30, an international equestrian festival including show jumping, dressage and endurance events will be held in Qatar, the first of its kind in the Middle East and Asia. The inaugural CHI AL SHAQAB will be hosted by Al Shaqab, a member organization of the Qatar Foundation, and sponsored by ExxonMobil Qatar Inc., the world’s largest oil and gas company.

Al Shaqab chairperson, HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Thani, and vice-chairperson, HE Sheikha Al-Mayassa Bint Hamad Al Thani, are pleased to bring an event of this scale to Qatar. In a statement after the sponsorship signing ceremony, HE Sheikha Al-Mayassa Bint Hamad Al Thani said, “Preserving and promoting Qatari culture is part of Al Shaqab’s obligations and a cause we have dedicated much time to. Moreover, the opportunity to host leading equestrian events provides a platform to raise global awareness on our facilities. This is crucial to our nation’s sport strategy, which itself is a central pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030.”

“CHI AL SHAQAB brings together all these elements, and we appreciate ExxonMobil – not only for their support to this event, but also for showing great belief in the equine culture of Qatar. The partnership will open doors for more cooperation in the future,” Her Excellency added.

The four-day event, will see 170 riders and 200 horses from more than 25 nations compete in world-class show jumping, dressage and endurance endurance competitions, including CSI5*, CDI4* and CEI2* 120 events. More than 10,000 visitors are expected, including members of the Qatari Royal Family and other leading dignitaries from the Gulf region, as well as local and international VIPs from the equine world.

Alongside the competition, spectators can enjoy a host of family activities, including a trade fair, fashion show, food court, kids’ zone and cultural presentations. For more information, visit www.chialshaqab.com