Qatar’s leading World ranked rider, Bassem Hassan Mohammed, has taken over the ride on the star mount Palloubet d’Halong. The leading Qatar rider confirmed this week that the Team decided it would be best that Palloubet d’Halong continue his career under the saddle of Bassem. “I’m riding him and I hope I can do good with him. He’s an amazing horse! We are all one team and we look out for what’s best for all” said Bassem, referring to acquiring the ride on Palloubet d’Halong from fellow team mate Ali Yousef Al Rumaihi.
The 11 year old gelding was acquired by the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) late last year from Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger for, what was regarded, as the largest sum of the season, if not the 21st century for a horse in the sport of show jumping. Bassem Hassam Mohammed became the first Qatar rider to win a Global Champions Tour Grand Prix this season in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The leading World-ranked Qatar rider, ranked 65th in the world, has enjoyed a very strong season and recently won Team Gold with Qatar at the Asian Games in South Korea.