Press release from Longines Global Champions Tour

It is back! The 2023 Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL season will kick off in the incredible Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, Doha this week from 2 - 4 March. Today the horse and rider lineup for the first event of the year is revealed, with some of the biggest names in the industry flying to Qatar. With more than €36 million in prize money on offer this year, it is all to play for…

Under the floodlights, competition will reach fever pitch on Saturday during the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha where Ludger Beerbaum will be doing everything it takes to secure back-to-back wins on Mila. Hot on his heels will be world number one Henrik von Eckermann as he starts his bid to win his first-ever LGCT season Championship. 

During a stunning sporting and lifestyle experience in the breathtaking equestrian venue founded by The Father Emir, last year’s LGCT championship runner-up Pieter Devos is leading the charge, with the first event of the season promising to be an electrifying battle of the best. Devos could get a crucial head start on his rivals as he chooses wise tactics to compete in the first event of the season unlike his closest rival last year and 2023 Champion Ben Maher who is out due to injury. 

The Shanghai Swans' daring duo of Max Kühner and Christian Ahlmann will be out in full force this week with their epic horsepower on display to thousands of spectators and the Royal Family for this powerful opening stage for LGCT and GCT in Qatar's dynamic capital city of Doha.

In exceptional form last week, Marcus Ehning and Stargold have their eyes on the prize in the €375,000 LGCT Grand Prix of Doha while previous LGCT Champions heading to Doha also include Harrie Smolders and Edwina Tops-Alexander making it one of the most competitive line-ups in the history of LGCT Doha.

As the biggest names in show jumping including John Whitaker, Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Niels Bruynseels, Denis Lynch and Maikel van der Vleuten all descend to one of the most phenomenal arenas - the 2023 race is guaranteed to start with a bang.

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