These countries, together with France, Sweden, Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, and Belgium, qualified for Paris 2024 after placing first and second in the 2023 Nations Cup Olympic qualification held in Doha.
The equestrian jumping teams from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. They did so on Monday, February 27, at a direct qualifying held in Doha.
Along with Abdulrahman Alrajhi (riding Babalou HD), Khaled Almobty (Equine America Spacecake), Ramzy Al Duhami (Untouchable), and Abdullah Alsharbatly (Alamo), Saudi Arabia emerged victorious in the qualifier, amassing time totals of 235.31 in round 1 with nine penalties and 237.81 in round 2 with six penalties, respectively, against 241.07 (eight penalties) and 236.38 (17 penalties) for the UAE.
The teams now join the other seven, which include the host nation of France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, and Belgium, who have previously qualified for Paris 2024.
Teams from the Middle East and Africa competed on Monday to earn spots in the next Olympic Games. The Middle East contingent included Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, while teams from Africa represented Morocco.
And it was Saudi Arabia that celebrated the day’s finish, as their new squad, which included Olympic medallist Al Duhami from London 2012 and Asian Games champion Alsharbatly, defeated all other competitors in the high-stakes Olympic qualification.
Saudi Arabia is well-versed in equestrian jumping, having placed third as a team at London 2012. When the Olympics return, they will be expecting for more of the same in 2024, from July 26 to August 11.
Timeline for qualifying equestrian jumpers to Paris in 2024
Starting with the FEI Jumping World Championships in 2022 and ending on December 31, 2023, is when NOCs can apply for a team quota spot (NOC Certificate of Capability).
FEI Jumping World Championships 2022 (Herning, DEN): August 10–14, 2022
Final of the FEI Jumping Nations Cup 2022, September 29–October 2,
The FEI will release the List of Olympic Ranking Events (as well as the ranking criteria) and the List of 2023 MER Events in December 2022 (exact date TBC).
Jumping: FEI Olympic Ranking, 1 January 2023–31 December 2023 (TBC): Ranking Period
Athletes and horses have from January 1, 2023, to TBC 2024 (the “MER Deadline”) to meet the FEI’s minimum eligibility standards.
September 2023: FEI Olympic Groups A and B at the European Championships of Jumping (Milano, ITA)
Dates TBD: FEI Olympic Group C designated FEI Olympic Qualification Event (TBC)
Pan American Games (20 October–5 November 2023) (Santiago, CHI). Olympic FEI Groups D and E
FEI Olympic Groups F: FEI Designated Olympic Qualification Event (TBC) dates TBD 2023
FEI Olympic Groups G: FEI Designated Olympic Qualification Event (TBC) dates TBD 2023
FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final 2023 Dates TBD
The list of 2024 MER Events will be published by FEI in December 2023 (precise date TBC).
Dates TBD: The Tripartite Commission will, if relevant, confirm in writing the NOCs’ receipt of Universality seats.
Dates TBD: FEI will notify NOCs and NFs of the allocation of their team quota places.
Dates TBD 2024: The NOCs will verify with the FEI that the team quota spots have been used. A NOC may be eligible for an individual quota spot if they withdraw their team quota spot by this date or if, as of December 31, 2023, they have not verified their NOC Certificate of Capability.
Dates to be confirmed 2024: FEI to notify NOCs/NFs of: 1. reallocating a single spot to any NOC that has withdrawn its team quota spot; 2. Allocate quota spots to Composite Team(s); 3. Allocate quota spots to individuals. Individual quota spots and composite teams are determined using the Jumping FEI Olympic Ranking.
Dates TBC 2024: NOCs to verify utilization of allotted Individual and Composite Team quota spots to FEI.
FEI to reallocate all unused quota spaces by TBC in 2024.
Dates TBC 2024 (the “MER Deadline”): The deadline for meeting the minimal qualifications. FEI Nominee Submissions.
FEI to get FEI Certificates of Capability (Athlete and Horse combination) one day following the MER deadline.
The deadline for Paris 2024 Sport Entries is July 8, 2024.
Olympic Games in Paris, 2024, July 26–August 11, 2024.