Global Champions Tour returns to Doha in 2011

The new season beckons, with the launch of the Global Champions Tour in Doha, Qatar from 17th until the 19th March, 2011.

Thirty of the world’s highest ranked show jumping riders coming from 15 countries will follow their horses across the globe to Doha in order to compete at this prestigious first leg of the tour hosted by the Qatar Equestrian Federation. The show jumping in Doha will be held at the Qatar Equestrian Federation Outdoor Arena in Al Rayan that features a round sand arena of 100sqm and stands for the many spectators. Entrance at the show will be offered for free for all three days of competition.

Three days packed with high level sport will be opened on Thursday 17th March with the opening class a National 1.10m competition at 11h00 and will close on Saturday 19th March with the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix starting at 20h00 and providing great excitement with the top riders competing to collect the first Global Champions Tour ranking points of the season..

The Qatar Equestrian Federation has been involved with the Global Champions Tour since 2008 when the first leg of the tour was successfully organised; a success that led to the hosting of the final event of the Global Champions Tour in 2009.

Since winning the right to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Qatar has certainly stamped itself as an International sporting country. Global Champions Tour is pleased to have been a key part of assisting the profile of Doha, Qatar as sports leaders; as part of the preparations to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Jan Tops, President of the Global Champions Tour is pleased to return to Doha in 2011. “The sport of show jumping is growing very quickly on a worldwide basis as a leading sports entity,” Jan commented. “Qatar is one of the rising countries in the gulf region involved in our sport of show jumping. It is fitting that the Global Champions Tour commences the season in this great sporting nation as we continue our affiliation with the Qatar Equestrian Federation.”

Considered the richest prize pool show jumping series in the world, the Global Champions Tour has close parallels to Formula 1car racing and is a very exciting spectator sport. The event facilities at the Qatar Equestrian Federation in Al Rayan include trade and refreshment areas with extra grandstands being added this year to cope with the expected influx of general public.

After Doha, the Global Champions Tour moves to Valencia, Spain May 6-8 and then to Hamburg, Germany June 1-5.