By Chris Hoover/Doha

From left: Reigning champion Marcus Ehning, GCT president Jan Tops, Qatar Equestrian Federation president Rashid al-Masoori, Qatar’s top rider Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani and world’s leading lady rider Edwina Alexander afddres the media during a press briefing at the Ritz-Carlton yesterday. PICTURE: Sheril Babu
Qatar takes yet another huge step in raising its profile in the equestrian world when it hosts the first leg of the 2011 Global Champions Tour (GCT) from March 17 to 19 at the outdoor arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation. After organising the opening leg of the GCT in 2008, Doha was awarded the rights to host the final of the 2009 championship, which was a significant step that gave everyone a hint of how Qatar was getting bigger and bigger in the equestrian arena.
The equestrian fans in Doha will get to witness a spectacular show. The world’s best riders and horses will be seen in action during the three-day event which promises to be a magnificent show. The GCT brings together the key aspects of show jumping, the top world riders, the best horses, the highest prize money, unique locations, venues and facilities to provide the most formidable global show jumping series. In its sixth year, the GCT has grown in world-wide recognition parallel with other global elite sporting tours.
The 2011 Global Champions Tour covers ten events in nine countries with the first leg of the tour to take place this week in Doha and the concluding round of the tour being hosted in Abu Dhabi from November 10 to 12.
Ninety horses have been flown into Doha for the most prestigious global show jumping tour. The horses received the very best attention aboard the chartered planes being attended by their personal grooms and the in-flight veterinarian and have settled in well at the luxurious air-conditioned stables at the Qatar Equestrian Federation, after their six-hour flight from Belgium.
Spectators at the Doha event will have a unique opportunity to see three days of exhilarating show jumping competitions watching the world’s top ranked riders compete on the most talented group of show jumping horses seen collectively in any one place.
“All the riders are very happy to be back in Doha as they know that the facilities are brilliant here. The arena is looking good and the ground is better than the years before. GCT is also thrilled at starting this year’s championship in Doha. We are working well as a team together and are looking ahead to the championship,” GCT president and former Olympic champion Jan Tops told the Gulf Times.
Talking about the Qatari riders, Tops said, “Qatari riders have made good progress since the last few years and I think being made to compete against the best riders, one could improve. The future is bright for Qatari riders and in the near future we could see them winning medals in major events around the world.”
Qatar Equestrian Federation president Rashid al-Mansoori said the event would further boost Qatar’s reputation as a major hub for Equestrian sports. “Both the teams from QEF and GCT have been working very hard for the past few months to get the event off to a smooth start. We are confident that this will be the best show ever held in Doha. Hosting an event such as the GCT also raises the profile of Qatar in the equestrian world and we are glad that we have the opportunity to do so.”
Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani a leading Qatari rider who has been part of the GCT and the international championships around the world was elated at Qatar getting the opportunity to host such a high profile event. “We all know that GCT is the world’s best event and to take part here in Doha is simply brilliant. I am keen do well here in front of the home crowd.”
Reigning champion and highest money earner Marcus Ehning was also happy to be back in Doha. “I am happy to be back here in Doha. I enjoyed my last visit here very much. At GCT it is something special as we feel it is like a Formula One Tour. It is a top of the world event and I am glad to be part of it. It is not only the money but the thrill of visiting various cities around the world. It is a real global event in the real sense.”
The world’s highest ranked lady rider Edwina Alexander of Australia will compete with her in form mare Ciske Van Overis at Doha. The nine-year-old Celano bred mare produced good performances last summer in the outdoor events with third placing in the Grand Prix at the Valkenswaard and seventh placings at both San Remo and San Patrignano Grand Prix. “I really like this mare and believe that she has a very good future ahead of her” said Edwina.  “I am looking forward to riding her in Doha at the Global Champions Tour and to begin the outdoor season once again.”
“It is nice to be back here in Doha. The facilities are brilliant here as usual. The travel has gone well with everyone as the organisers had arranged for a comfortable trip for both riders and horses. The prize money this season is over euros seven million which is the highest for all disciplines put together by FEI. That is very exciting but it is not all about the prize money as everything goes hand in hand. As the years have gone on, it is getting better and better. A lot of the riders have moved their schedules around the GCT to make sure that they have their best horses on the Tour. The best riders and horses will always be part of the GCT and it can only get stronger and stronger.”
The facilities at the QEF came in for praise from the GCT representative Fred Van Lierop. “We are very pleased that the GCT final is being held here in Qatar. The best riders in the world will be competing this week with their best horses. The equestrian fans have the opportunity to witness the best in action.”
“The facilites here are as good as anywhere else in the world. We have a very nice and unique arena which is round. The stables are also fantastic and the other facilities too are world class. The riders are all excited to take part in this championship.”
Entry to the venue is free with classes commencing on Thursday at 1.00pm and concluding with the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix that will take place at 6.45pm on Saturday.
Apart from Eurosport, Al Jazeera too will broadcast the event live which is expected to have an audience of 60 million all over the world.