2022 Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL season to kick off at Al Shaqab, Doha – from 3 – 5 March

2022 Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL season to kick off at Al Shaqab, Doha – Qatar from 3 – 5 March
The iconic Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation, will again provide the perfect stage for the spectacular launch of the Longines Global Champions Tour and the GCL 2022 season.
The 2022 edition of the world’s premier five-star show jumping championship, will bring together the top-ranked riders and horses in their quest for individual and team glory which will kick off in Qatar’s dazzling capital city of Doha, from 3-5 March. Tickets for a thrilling weekend of equestrian sport, including exclusive VIP hospitality packages, are available now at q-tickets.com.
Equestrian enthusiasts have come to expect nothing less than high-octane action and exhilarating sporting drama at LGCT Doha, where the stars of the show jumping world vie for victory at Al Shaqab in the opening Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of the season and, with it, the prized first golden ticket and a coveted spot in the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at Prague Playoffs at the end of the year.
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. Fans will be hoping for a repeat of last year’s epic final-day LGCT Doha Super Saturday showdown, which saw Niels Bruynseels ride Delux van T & L to a highly emotional victory.
The Belgian rider was awarded on the winners’ podium by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, with a spectacular prize-giving ceremony rounding off three days of the highest calibre showjumping, which also saw the Valkenswaard United team of Peder Fredricson and Marcus Ehning clinch the opening GCL win.
The 2022 LGCT and GCL season will take riders and horses to 19 stunning locations all around the world starting with the championship season opener in Doha through major capital cities like Madrid, Paris, London, Rome and Shanghai, before culminating in the ultimate showdown at the Global Champions Prague Playoffs, in November.
Khalifa Al Attiya, Executive Director, Al Shaqab, said: “Al Shaqab is proud to once again be the venue for the prestigious launch of the LGCT season, and we can all look forward to the world’s finest showjumpers and horses lighting up the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab with their electrifying performances.
“The successful hosting of events of the calibre of LGCT Doha bears testament to Qatar’s status as an international sporting hub, and also Al Shaqab’s commitment to fulfilling its vision of being a leading global centre for equine excellence. Importantly, they also help Al Shaqab to instil in the broader Qatar community a love for the equestrian arts, in keeping with the country’s horse-riding heritage.“
Jan Tops, President of LGCT and GCL, said: “Al Shaqab is unique in the world, not only is it beautiful, it is well thought out and horse-friendly and it is a very special venue to open the 2022 season with. Al Shaqab is a fantastic place to do our sport at the highest level and every year the team does something new and something more for the riders, public and stakeholders. With many Olympic, European, LGCT and GCL champions competing it is for sure going to be a top show. I would like to thank Longines our title sponsor, Al Shaqab and Exxon Mobil, it wouldn’t be possible to kick off the 2022 year in Doha without them. ”
Floss Bish-Jones
Longines Global Champions Tour / GCL