By David Gold

saudi arabia_show_jumping_03-01-12January 3 - Saudi Arabia has qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games show jumping competition, taking the final slot available following the 2011 FEI Group F Special Olympic qualifiers in Doha.


The Saudis took gold at the competition, with Egypt claiming silver and Qatar bronze in the eight team qualifier.

The managing director of the Saudi equestrian team, Ziyad Abduljawad, was delighted.

"This is a milestone for Saudi equestrian and our country," he said.

"We are all thrilled that the years of preparation have paid off.

"There are impressive and formidable show jumping teams lined up for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Saudi Arabia is proud to have the opportunity to compete on the world stage."

Saudi's qualification for London 2012 also owed in part to their performance at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010.

Also celebrating after the qualifiers were Jordan and their competitor Ibrahim Hani Bisharat, who makes it to London 2012 after claiming the best classification among the individual riders.

Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, United States and Ukraine will all compete in the team competition at London 2012.

The individual contest will feature competitors from Argentina, Colombia and Japan, who all have two riders going to London.

Bermuda, Egypt, Jordan and Syria also have a rider each at the Olympics, whilst five remaining slots will be allotted in March based on the FEI Olympic Athletes Ranking.

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