DOHA (Qatar): Qatar’s stunning Al Shaqab will once again host the season-opening race of 2021 Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) and Global Champions League (GCL) from March 4-6, the global governing body of the event announced.
Doha, is one of the 16 venues and will welcome top international horses and riders from around the world who will battle for supremacy in the Championship series and will be vying for individual and team glory.
The kick off event in the Qatari capital will see the first LGCT Grand Prix of the year and an intriguing look at the form of top riders and horses. GCL teams will go into battle over two rounds with new strategies to take them to victory in 2021.
The event will once again reinforce Qatar’s reputation as a global sports destination and will showcase some of the established and upcoming Qatari riders.
Al Shaqab equestrian facility, part of Qatar Foundation will host the opening leg in March 2021 while the LGCT will finish with the Finals in New York in September followed by the ultimate showdown at the GC Prague Playoffs in November.
Founded by His Highness the Father Emir, the spectacular Al Shaqab venue is likely to witness as some of the best athletes in the world will kick-start their campaign for the prestigious LGCT and GCL title and also get in top form for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
This is the second year the phenomenal Al Shaqab equestrian facility in Doha, will be the stage for the electrifying opening leg of the LGCT and GCL season.
Al Shaqab will be providing free shuttle bus service from the Al Shaqab metro station (Green Line) to the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab and return, during Longines Global Champions Tour and it will run at 10-minute intervals, the LGCT website said in its report.
Global calendar
Spectacular Shanghai (30 April-2 May dates TBC) will be followed by a fantastic five months across Europe touching down in dynamic capital cities and beautiful Riviera destinations.
Other stopovers include Hamburg (12-16 May), Madrid (21-23 May), Ramatuelle/Saint-Tropez (27-29 May), Cannes (3-5 June), Stockholm (18-20 June), Paris (25-27 June), Monaco (1-3 July), Berlin (22-25 July), London (13-15 August), Valkenswaard (20-22 August), Rome (9-12 September), Mexico City (16-19 September) and the LGCT and GCL Championship Finals in New
York (24-26 September).
“We are pleased to announce our dates for 2021 and to look forward to a new season with confidence and excitement, but also with humility. I know all our stakeholders and especially our loyal fans are looking forward to a fresh start with a new season after such a difficult year for everyone due to the global pandemic,” said Jan Tops, President of LGCT and GCL.
All roads lead to the GC Prague Playoffs (18-21 November) and the supreme test of the GCL Super Cup and the LGCT Super Grand Prix with a huge prize purse.
