An all-star cast of eight out of the world’s Top 10 riders are heading to Al Shaqab, Qatar, for this weekend’s climax of the 2017 Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League.

Harrie Smolders (NED), Scott Brash (GBR), Eric Lamaze (CAN), Lorenzo De Luca (ITA), Gregory Wathelet (BEL), Kevin Staut (FRA), Peder Fredricson (SWE) and Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) will all be in action at the final leg of the season.

There will be a captivating battle for the final overall ranking places after a season of phenomenal Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix action across the world in stunning locations. 

Talking about the top calibre events, Scott Brash said: "The level of competition on the GCT circuit is so high, so to win a Grand Prix or League class you and your horse have to be at the absolute top of your game."

Lorenzo De Luca said he will be “giving everything” to keep his second place in the overall LGCT ranking and said: “GCT is one of the best and most difficult circuits in the world.”

New LGCT Champion Harrie Smolders, who made history this year by taking the title at the penultimate event in Rome, said: "In the Global Champions Tour the level is very, very high because we have the best horses and the best riders in the world. A higher level is not possible."

Lorenzo De Luca (ITA) currently sits in second with 260 points overall, with Christian Ahlmann (GER) just three points away on 257. Alberto Zorzi (ITA) is only a two-point whisker away on 255 points. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and two-time LGCT Champion Scott Brash (GBR), on 247 and 245 points respectively, will be formidable opponents in the final deciding LGCT Grand Prix of 2017.

Source: Press release from LGCT // Picture © Jenny Abrahamsson