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Three-day LGCT and GCL gala begins today
Vinay Nayudu
Doha
The stunning and one of the world's finest equestrian centre Al Shaqab in Doha was set up by HH Father Emir in 1992 to preserve and promote the heritage of Arabian horses and horsemanship. The pristine venue has now completed a memorable 25 years and on the occasion of its silver jubilee the final leg of the 2017 Longines Global Champions (LGCT) Tour and Global Champions League (GCL) showjumping competition will form the backdrop for the celebrations from November 9 to 11 at the 980,000 square-metre large and horseshoe shaped venue.
The finale of LGCT and GCL which arrives in Qatar after visiting top 14 cities of the world has attracted an unbelievable high quality field of 17 of the top 20 riders in the world of showjumping and they are all set for the podium battles at Al Shaqab.
The outstanding line up of star riders and horses promises to deliver a scintillating contest.
Addressing the media at Al Shaqab ahead of the three-day event, LGCT President and GCL Co-Founder Jan Tops said,"Through the years, and especially this year, the best riders in the world prepare their horses for these events. Now we are at the final of the season and the riders have their best horses here. The statistics speak for themselves.
"It is great to be here at this special place. Qatar works very hard to promote the heritage of the horse and on the development of the sport to a high level, which we have seen on an Olympic level.
"Al Shaqab is not only a magnificent place, but it is very horse-friendly; the footing is great, the stabling is the best condition - it's an example for every event. That is why we love to be here in Qatar."
Omar K. al Mannai, Al Shaqab's Event Director, thanked Tops for his belief in the potential in Qatar and Al Shaqab as a venue.
"As part of Qatar National Vision 2030 we believe Qatar has become a sports hub and the Global Champions Tour supports this by bringing the top riders and horses. We are engaging with the community with our activities and engaging them about our tradition and heritage.
"Al Shaqab was built in 1992 to build on the heritage and to increase awareness about the Arabian horses in Qatar and the Arabian people's love for horsemanship. By 2004 Al Shaqab also became a hub for equestrian education. We are now focusing more on the young generation to give them the right education. We are also helping young riders learn horsemanship and to excel at the international level," said Mannai.
With only 17 points separating the five top athletes, who can win the remaining podium places in the LGCT Championship, the battle will be intense.
Marco Danese, LGCT and GCL Sports Director, said,"It will be a big battle. We have 17 out of the top 20 best riders in the world here and five of them are fighting to be on the podium. The battle is open. For sure they are here to be on the podium, it is the goal of the season."
Harrie Smolders of The Netherlands will be crowned LGCT Champion of 2017 after he won the title at the previous event in Rome leaving a ferocious fight among the contenders for second and third place in the overall series.
GCL teams will be in hot contention with Round 1 from Thursday and the final on Saturday afternoon. Hamburg Diamonds and Valkenswaard United are head to head for the overall championship title and five other teams are challenging for the other podium places. Eighteen teams have competed in the GCL this year tactically fielding top rider and horse combinations to get the edge ahead of their rivals in the championship.
Qatar heroes Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al Thani and Bassem Hassan Mohammed will be in action in the individual LGCT competitions and riding for home team Doha Fursan Qatar in the Global Champions League. National riders will be able to watch the leading Qatari riders in action at the impressively floodlit arena.
Speaking about the progress of the top Qatari riders like Sheikh Ali, who finished 6th in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Jan Tops said,"If I see the progress made since five years ago, it has been incredible and I hope we can make some steps forward again for the next Olympics. And it is important to develop the next generation and give them experience and get them ready for the next four to eight years and more."
On the occasion of its 25th anniversary Al Shaqab will be welcoming international guests and local dignitaries and also showcasing its Riding Academy.
The Schedule
Thursday
11am: National Class 1.00/1.15m Table A 2 Phases (QR10,000)
1pm: National Class 1.20/1.30m Table 2 Phases (QR20,000)
3pm: CSI5* 1.45m Table A 2 Phases (€25,000)
5.30pm: CSI5* 1.50/1.55m Round 1 Global Champions League Team/Individual Competition
Against the clock with jump off (€92,000 Indl winner)
FRIday
3pm: National Class 1.00/1.15m Table A Against the clock (QR10,000)
5.15pm: National Class 1.30/1.40 Table A Against the Clock (QR30,000)
6.30pm: Al Shaqab 25th Anniversary celebrations
6.40pm: CSI5* 1.45/1.50m Table A Against the Clock with Jump Off (€92,000)
saturday
10.15am: Natl Class 1.20/1.30m Table A Against the Clock with JO. (QR25,000)
12.30pm: Natl Class 1.30/1.40m Table A Against the Clock with JO. (QR35,000)
2pm: CSI5* 1.55/1.60m LGCT Grand Prix Qualification; 2nd Round GCL Team Competition/
Individual; Against the Clock (€160,000 Individual winner + €200,000 team winner)
4.55pm: Arabian Horse Show
6pm: CSI5* 1.60m Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha + Jump Off;
7.15pm: Jump Off. (€400,000).
