HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani races up the ramp on horseback to light the flame
The Asian Games began December 1 in Doha, Qatar. Athletes from 45 countries and regions entered the stadium — with North Korea and South Korea marching together — for the event billed as “the games of your life.” They will compete in 46 different sports — in a total of 424 different events.The honor of lighting the 50-meter Asian Games cauldron was given to the emir’s son Muhammad, who is the captain of Qatar’s equestrian endurance team. Astride a purebred Arabian gelding, he received the Asian Games flame at the end of its 55,000-kilometer relay route. He rode up a flight of stairs to the top of the stadium to light the torch.
Talal Mansour passes the flame to HE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani on horseback, who had the honour of lighting the cauldron
Athletes will be competing for medals in many sports, including dressage, eventing, show jumping and endurance. (full list here)
Desert horsemen on Arabian horses enter the Khalifa Stadium
More at I Gallop On, and yes, K, I totally agree about the galloping up steps thing! 
Bridlepath 
those horses are amazing
Very Cool! Wouldn’t it be wierd if they were riding anything but Arabians. Those horses are part of a very long heritage for that part of the world. It’s about the onl thing they all have in common are the horses.
Very proud of River Oak Malibu the wonderful horse ridden by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani. Malibu was bred by myself and my husband here at River Oak Arabian Stud, Wilberforce NSW Aust. Malibu is by one of our leading stallions River Oak Tabu and was purchased by Steve Jefferys (his trainer for this amazing adventure and incredible feat) on behalf of David Atkins Enterprises. Malibu was presented to the Prince after the closing ceremony and is a national hero!! Just wanted to share this with all horse lovers as we are so proud of him. Kerry Smith
Kerry, that’s amazing! I’d be happy to post a story about Malibu on Bridlepath if you like; send me some info at defrostindoors {at} gmail {dot} com.
i remember malibu from when i did work experience at your stud kerry, i just wanted to say a big CONGRATULATIONS!!!! to you and ray for breeding such a wonderful horse!! he was my favourite then and still is my favourite now!
Jodie
wow.. i love arabians, i have a little chestnut arabian mare and a newforest cross arabian gelding. both are beautiful. you dont often see competing arabians in england