Showjumping Stars Ready for €1.75 Million Qatar Finale

Qatar, one of the world’s most dynamic countries, is set to welcome the greatest riders and horses in show jumping for a €1.75 million showdown at the final leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour.  

With €1 million in extra prize money for the top 18 riders of the 2013 championship - in addition to a total prize purse of €750,000 for the 5* competitions in Doha - it will be a thrilling and intense contest. The 12th stage of the season will take place at the magnificent surroundings of Al Shaqab from November 21 to 23.

An all-star cast of the world’s best will start arriving in the capital Doha in only three weeks’ time for the much-anticipated event with the Grand Prix on Saturday November 23. Christian Ahlmann, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Nick Skelton, Alvaro de Miranda, Gerco Schröder, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Laura Kraut are just some of the headline names.  See the current rider list on http://www.globalchampionstour.com/events/2013/doha/riders-and-horses/

The best performing riders so far this season have accumulated big earnings from a multi-million euro prize money pool and crucial ranking points. US rider Laura Kraut and Germany’s Christian Ahlmann have been locked in an intense and fascinating battle for the lead for several months. A number of riders at the top of the Longines Global Champions Tour ranking can still score enough points in Doha to win the 2013 Championship. Renowned course designer Uliano Vezzani will be setting the 1.60m Grand Prix challenge for around 50 riders.

It will be a feast of the highest calibre show jumping in the 120m x 80m sand arena in one of the most incredible equestrian facilities in the world today. Home riders from the host nation of Qatar, including Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani, will be participating at the event. Al Shaqab’s stunning state-of-the-art arena will witness some of the most exciting show jumping of the year in the final battle of 2013. The dramatic architecture of Al Shaqab will provide a spectacular backdrop to the climax of the season, which has delivered some of the most competitive sport since the Tour began in 2006.

Last season Edwina Tops-Alexander, currently third in the ranking, was crowned champion for the second year running with Sweden’s Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Great Britain’s Michael Whitaker in third overall.