An array of show jumping stars will kick-start the new season of the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL at the spectacular Longines Arena at Al Shaqab from today.
The three-day event will make its traditional first stop at Al Shaqab, with world class riders and horses aiming to start on a winning note. Majority of the riders have already been in Doha for the last 10 days, having taken part in the prestigious CHI Al Shaqab, the Grand Prix of which was won by Germany’s Marcus Ehning.
The 47-year-old will once again fancy his chances, especially if his powerful 11-year-old bay Stargold finds his rhythm just like he did last Saturday. Last year’s overall season champion and current world number one Peder Fredricson will start as fancied despite his below-par show in the Grand Prix class of CHI al Shaqab.
The Swede – a team gold medallist from the Tokyo Olympics – opened his season with a win in the 1.55m class last week with 14-year-old Hansson WK and will be hoping he can find the winning touch this weekend. Fredricson could get a crucial head start on his rivals as he chooses wise tactics to compete in the first event of the season unlike one of his closest rivals last year, Ben Maher.  
As the biggest names in show jumping including John Whitaker, Henrik von Eckermann, Christian Ahlmann, Gregory Wathelet and Niels Bruynseels all descend Al Shaqab – the 2022 race is guaranteed to start with a bang.
Previous LGCT Doha winners Edwina Tops-Alexander and Scott Brash, who both ultimately went on to win the LGCT series twice, will be pulling out all the stops again to get a head start on the stiff competition. With a total of five previous LGCT Champions heading to Doha including Harrie Smolders and Marcus Ehning it is one of the most competitive line-ups in the history of LGCT Doha.
Young talent will bid to make their mark as Jack Whitaker, Jodie Hall McAteer, Michael Pender, Jeanne Sadran and Mike Kawai all look for their first podium of the year alongside show jumping heavyweights Shane Breen, Max Kuhner, Maikel van der Vleuten, Simon Delestre, Olivier Robert, Pieter Devos, Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Olivier Philippaerts, and Martin Fuchs.
Belgium’s Philippaerts, who tasted success at Al Shaqab last year, is hoping for a successful start. “I will be riding H&M Legend of Love and H&M Miro in Doha. Their results from the past weeks show that my horses are in shape, so I’m quite assured about the opening competition in Doha,” Philippaerts said.
LGCT and GCL President and Founder, Jan Tops termed Doha as an important stop of the LGCT and GCL season, which he said is getting better every year. “Every year the team of Al Shaqab finds ways to improve facilities, which are exceptional. The facilities for horses are exceptional which is very important. Everything goes in a perfect way at Al Shaqab,” said Tops.
“We have had the finale and now the opening legs here and it’s up to the organisers to see what we can do in the future. But as I say Qatar is on the world map and we keep getting better,” he added.
Omar al-Mannai, Event Director was confident of another fine start to the season at Al Shaqab. “The facilities we provide at Al Shaqab are the best in the world. It is one of the perfect venues for LGCT and highlights Al Shaqab as the leading global centre for equestrian excellence. It also helps Al Shaqab to achieve objectives and targets we can benefit from in furthering equestrianism,” he said.  
Meanwhile, the GCL teams will compete over two rounds in what promises to be an explosive battle for victory – and a chance to move a step closer to ultimate glory in 2022. 
Spectators will be treated to three days of thrilling action along with activities for children including pony rides, chic cafes with incredible views of the competition arena and much more.