Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates qualify teams for Paris 2024 equestrian jumping competition 

Paris 2024 beckons for the Saudi Arabian and United Arab Emirates equestrian jumping teams who secured their spots for the next Olympics during a direct qualifier in Doha on Monday 27 February.

Saudi Arabia finished first in the qualifier, with their team of Abdulrahman Alrajhi (riding Babalou HD), Khaled Almobty (Equine America Spacecake), Ramzy Al Duhami (Untouchable) and Abdullah Alsharbatly (Alamo) accumulating time totals of 235.31 in round 1 with nine penalties and 237.81 in round 2 with six penalties, compared to UAE’s totals of 241.07 (eight penalties) and 236.38 (17 penalties).

The teams now join the seven others who have already qualified for Paris 2024, including host nation France, Sweden, Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany and Belgium.

Monday’s event saw teams from across the Middle East and Africa competing to qualify for the next Olympic Games, with Egypt and Morocco representing Africa and Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and United Arab Emirates making up the Middle East contingent.

And it was Saudi Arabia who ended the day celebrating, as their new team that includes Asian Games champion Alsharbatly and London 2012 Olympic medallist Al Duhami outperformed all-comers in the high-stakes Olympic qualifier.

Saudi Arabia have a strong history in equestrian jumping having won team bronze at London 2012. They will be hoping for more of the same when the next Olympics take place from 26 July - 11 August 2024.

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Equestrian jumping qualification timeline to Paris 2024

• 10-14 August 2022: FEI Jumping World Championships 2022 (Herning, DEN)

• From the FEI Jumping World Championships 2022 – 31 December 2023: Period for NOCs to obtain a team quota place (NOC Certificate of Capability)

• 29 September - 2 October: FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final 2022

• December 2022 (Exact Date TBC): FEI to publish List of Olympic Ranking Events (and ranking rules) and List of 2023 MER Events

• 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023 (TBC): Ranking Period: FEI Olympic Ranking - Jumping

• 1 January 2023 – TBC 2024 (“MER Deadline”): Period for Athletes and Horses to obtain the FEI minimum eligibility requirements

• September 2023: FEI Jumping European Championships (Milano, ITA) – FEI Olympic Groups A, B

• Dates TBD: Designated FEI Olympic Qualification Event (TBC) – FEI Olympic Group C

• 20 October – 5 November 2023: Pan American Games (Santiago, CHI). FEI Olympic Groups D & E

• Dates TBD 2023: FEI Designated Olympic Qualification Event (TBC) - FEI Olympic Groups F

• Dates TBD 2023: FEI Designated Olympic Qualification Event (TBC) - FEI Olympic Groups G

• Dates TBD 2023: FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final 2023

• December 2023 (exact date TBC): FEI to publish list of 2024 MER Events

• Dates TBD: The Tripartite Commission to confirm in writing the allocation of Universality places to the NOCs (where applicable).

• Dates TBD: FEI to inform NOCs/NFs of their team quota place allocation

• Dates TBC 2024: The NOCs to confirm to the FEI the use of the allocated team quota places to the FEI. If an NOC withdraws their team quota place by this date or had not confirmed their NOC Certificate of Capability as of 31 December 2023, the NOC in question will be eligible for an Individual quota place.

• Dates TBC 2024: FEI to inform NOCs/NFs of: 1. reallocation of one individual place to each NOC that has withdrawn their team quota place; 2. allocation of Composite Team(s) quota places; 3. allocation of individual quota places. Determination of individual quota places and composite teams based on FEI Olympic Ranking - Jumping

• Dates TBC 2024: NOCs to confirm use of allocated Individual quota places and Composite Team(s) quota places to FEI.

• Dates TBC 2024: FEI to reallocate all unused quota places.

• Dates TBC 2024 (“MER Deadline”): Deadline to achieve the minimum eligibility requirements. FEI Nominated Entries.

• One day after the MER deadline: FEI to receive FEI Certificates of Capability (Athlete and Horse combination).

• 8 July 2024: Paris 2024 Sport Entries deadline.

• 26 July - 11 August 2024: Olympic Games Paris 2024.