5th Asian Games, Doha (QAT): preview

Horsesport will be one of the 39 sports on the programme of the 15th Asian Games which will open on 1 December in Doha (QAT). With more than 12,000 athletes, the Asian Games are the world's largest sporting event. Four equestrian disciplines – Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, and for the first time, Endurance, will be featured.

Twenty-three National Federations and some 240 riders and horses are expected to take part in the Games.

DRESSAGE
The Dressage competitions will take place from 3 to 5 December. Ten NFs have entered teams: Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Qatar, Syria, and Chinese Taipei. Twelve NFs – the ten listed above as well as Jordan and The Philippines will be represented by individual riders.

EVENTING
The Eventing competitions will be from 6 to 8 December. The following eight nations will be represented by teams: Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Qatar, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Nine NFs – the eight listed above and Kazakhstan – will field individual riders.

JUMPING
Jumping will begin on 10 and finish on 13 December. The following 14 NFs have entered teams: Bahrain, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Qatar, Syria, Chinese Taipei, the United Arab Emirates and Saoudi Arabia. No less than 20 NFs will have individual riders; apart from the 14 already mentioned, there will also be competitors from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Palestine and Uzbekistan.

ENDURANCE
For the first in the history of the Asian Games, an Endurance ride will be organised. It will take place on 14 December will the participation of teams and individuals from 13 nations: Bahrain, India, Jordan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Turkmenistan, and the United Arab Emirates.


Equestrian competitions were included in the ninth Asian Games held in New Delhi (IND) in 1982. Apart from the 11th edition in 1990, horsesport has been on the programme ever since.


For more information on the 15th Asian Games, please check the official website http://www.doha-2006.com/