Edwina Aiming for Doha Victory

      Photo: Sportfot/GCT

Global Champions Tour 2011 winner Edwina Tops-Alexander today said it would be “fantastic” to clinch victory in Doha, Qatar, this week at the opening event of the new GCT season.

Speaking at the launch press conference at the new St Regis Hotel in Doha world female No1 rider Edwina said: “To win in Doha would be fantastic, because I have not won here yet. I am sure all the riders are feeling the same way I do, any sports person should be motivated to win. It is the most prestigious Tour we have in our sport.

“It’s one of the few competitions where the best riders bring their best horses. So this year it’s great preparation for the Olympics because you know what you will be up against.”

Leading Qatari rider Ali Al Rumaihi also joined the opening press conference and said the show jumping talents of Qatari riders are improving dramatically as they compete in GCT events around the world against the top international riders.

He said: “There is definitely an improvement. Our team is getting larger and larger and we now have junior riders and the level there is improving. Qatar is improving as are all the Arab countries. Participation in this 5* Tour brings improvement in itself.”

Six top Qatari riders will be competing in the Doha GCT starting at the end of this week, including Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani. Mr Al Rumaihi will not be taking part as he has a thigh muscle injury, but hopes to make a speedy recovery and return to top-level competition at other GCT events this year.

GCT President Jan Tops praised the facilities and showground at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s Al Rayyan outdoor arena.

Speaking at the press conference Mr Tops said: “It is always fantastic to start the season in Qatar and this is our fourth time here. All the riders look forward to starting here, the facilities are amazing and the beautiful ring is recognized all over the world.

“I am sure that with the horses and riders we have this year there will be some amazing sport.”

Qatar Equestrian Federation President Mr Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah said: “Qatar is looking to be one of the strongest rounds of the GCT this year. It is a great opportunity for Qatar to participate in this championship.”

St Regis Hotel General Manager Tareq Derbas said it was a natural decision to host GCT as the international hotel group has a long tradition of supporting prestigious equestrian events, including polo matches in Manhattan which were once the highlight of the New York social season. He said: “St Regis has a proud tradition supporting equestrian events and GCT is a global phenomenon.”

GCT offers the richest prize money in the sport of show jumping and all important ranking points, which are accumulated throughout the 2012 season leading up to the crowning of the overall champion. With 13 events this year, the biggest Global Champions Tour calendar to date, there are no fewer than four exciting new destinations, Shanghai, Vienna, Wiesbaden and Lausanne.

Since its launch GCT has set a new benchmark for standards in the sport worldwide. As part of an enduring partnership, Eurosport events will provide high quality TV production at all GCT events, which will be broadcast live on Saturdays by Eurosport delivering outstanding media exposure to 130 million households across 59 countries.

GCT’s official partner for 2012 will be Jaeger-LeCoultre. The official timekeeper for four events in Doha, Valencia, Shanghai and Wiesbaden will be Longines.

Show jumping has rapidly increased in popularity in the Middle East region in the past few years, with talented local riders improving their skills and competing against the best in the world. The passion for the equestrian sport of show jumping is a natural progression from the love of endurance racing and other equestrian pursuits across the Gulf region.

Mr Tops spoke of the growing talent of riders in Qatar and the wider region based on his experience over the past decade. He said: “Ten years ago it was more the Saudi riders taking the lead, now the whole region is getting closer with Qatar very strongly and the Emirates. The region is growing very fast in show jumping at all levels. More horses, more riders and I expect a lot of growth over the next five years in the region as a whole.”

Since launching the Tour in 2006 Mr. Tops has aimed to deliver a great sporting and social

experience both for dedicated fans of show jumping and for families who simply want to enjoy an exciting day watching world class sporting competition. With the welfare of the highly prized horses a priority, GCT events always have top-level veterinary services on site and high quality stabling for the horses.

In a series of carefully arranged flights, the world’s leading show jumping horses were flown to Doha from Europe and Mr. Tops confirmed they have all arrived safely and are fit after a good journey.

2012 GCT course designer Uliano Vezzani will be setting a challenging course at the Al Rayyan outdoor arena in Doha for the opening event and will be monitoring the performances of the riders and horses in the early classes as he plans the Grand Prix course for the highlight of the show.

Uliano said: “I am very honoured to be in Doha for the opening event of the 2012 GCT season. To work in the first big outdoor event is exciting and challenging. As always I will think first of all to the welfare of the horses, building courses where the horse and rider can express their qualities together.”

Global Champions Tour is recognized as an official series by the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) and many of its riders will also be representing their countries in the forthcoming 2012 London Olympics.

In 2012 fans from all over the world will be able to follow their favorite riders and horses as the premier show jumping circuit takes to the road again.

Confirmed riders for Doha are as follows: