International stars set for 2021 LGCT season kick off

Show jumping’s premier horses and riders have arrived in Qatar's dazzling capital city Doha, for the first round of action on the Longines Global Champions Tour 2021.

The season will kick off at the magnificent Longines Arena at AL SHAQAB in Doha, Qatar, next week March 4 to 6, and the official rider list for this hotly anticipated opening leg of the new season has been announced.

48 international riders are joining the CSI5* event with some of the most dominant names on the circuit present including Pieter Devos (BEL), Marcus Ehning (GER), Maikel van der Vleuten (NED), Penelope Leprevost (FRA), Peder Fredricson (SWE), Christian Ahlmann (GER), Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS), Gregory Wathelet (BEL), Eric Lamaze (CAN), Scott Brash (GBR).

The thrilling first event of the individual and GCL team Championships promises to be an electrifying launchpad as athletes eye up the competition and aim to show their strength in the vast Longines Arena at AL SHAQAB, a member of the Qatar Foundation.

Previous LGCT Grand Prix of Doha winners Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Scott Brash (GBR) will be keen to do the double and catapult their way up the overall leaderboard early on in the season. While Qatari rider Salmen Sultan A M Al Suwaidi (QAT) will be looking for strong results in front of his home crowd. Last year HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser and HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani joined the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix prize-giving ceremony and witnessed a spectacular sound and light show which was the perfect finish to the evening of world-class show jumping action.

The health and safety of everyone at Al Shaqab remains the highest priority and strict COVID-19 precautionary measures will be enforced to ensure the safety and well-being of riders, equestrian fans and all who are involved with the event. In line with the Ministry of Public Health’s COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, the venue capacity will be restricted to 10 percent. Tickets can only be purchased at the venue in person on event days.

All the action will be streamed live on GCTV throughout the event.

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Cover Image Credit: LGCT / Stefano Grasso