Bahrain’s Shaikh Hassan bin Rashid Al Khalifa achieved remarkable results in preparation for Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta while competing in the prestigious Knokke Hippique Championship in Belguim.
The Bahrain showjumping national team athlete finished in the money riding his 10-year-old approved stallion HBR Don’t Touch It M to ninth place in a talent-filled class of 120 international athletes in the CSI2* 135m speed class. He also secured a few solid rounds at the 140m level that helped in his preparation for the Asian Games.
Shaikh Hassan said: “It’s great to be competing at this event which is easily in the top three of my favourite events in the whole world. It’s organised well, with great competition, and my horses performed very well in the tournament.
“I had a solid run in the big classes and had good results that will give me a lot of confidence in preparation for the 2018 Asian Games on my stallion who is in top form.
“We competed against many athletes ranked among the top 100 in the world as well as many of the teams that will be competing with us in the Asian Games.”
Bahrain showjumping national team will have a full team representing the kingdom at the Games in Jakarta in August. It will be the first time Bahrain will be represented by a team at the championship level.
Shaikh Hassan thanked Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) president Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Breef Show jumping Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Mohamed Al Khalifa for their support.