Press release from the Longines Global Champions Tour

The 2020 Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL will kick off at the magnificent Longines Arena at AL SHAQAB in Doha, Qatar, this week. The official rider list has been revealed, with show jumping’s top riders and horses named for this opening leg.

The first event of the new individual and team Championships promises to be an electrifying launchpad as athletes size up their rivals and prepare for a strong start in the 2020 race. International stars of show jumping will descend on the stunning Longines Arena at AL SHAQAB, a member of the Qatar Foundation, alongside talented Qatari riders, all bidding to make their mark at this first event of the new season.

Thrilling top level was showcased throughout 2019 and some of the most dominant riders including Pieter Devos (BEL), Maikel van Der Vleuten (NED), Simon Delestre (FRA), Marcus Ehning (GER), Christian Ahlmann (GER) and Peder Fredricson (SWE) will be in action in Doha in a bid for glory at this early stage of the season.

Previous Doha stars Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) and Scott Brash (GBR), who both ultimately went on to win the LGCT series twice, will also be pulling out the stops again to get a head start on the stiff competition at the season curtain-raiser. Qatari riders Faleh Suwead Al Ajami (QAT), Bassem Mohammed (QAT) and Rashid Towaim Ali Al Marri (QAT) will also be looking for strong results in front of their home crowd.

This year’s opening event will be another showcase of world-class show jumping action, culminating in spectacular prize giving ceremonies. Last year His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani presented the trophy to Julien Epaillard (FRA), winner of the LGCT Grand Prix of Doha, and members of the Royal Family attended the event.