DOHA: Founder of the Global Champions Tour, Jan Tops, has expressed confidence that Qatar will emerge as a leading nation in equestrian sport within the next decade. The Dutch Olympic gold medalist, who has been closely involved with Qatar’s equestrian ambitions, believes the country is on track for major international success, including potential Olympic medals.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Longines Global Champions Tour and League at the Longines Al Shaqab Arena, the 63-year-old emphasized the growth of equestrian sports in Qatar. He highlighted the nation’s progress over the past 12 years, pointing to notable achievements on the international stage, including a team gold at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games and Olympic qualification in both Rio 2016 and Paris 2024.
“I believe that in the next five to ten years, Qatar will become a strong nation in equestrian sport, and hopefully, we will see an Olympic medal,” Tops said.
Tops, who has been training and mentoring Qatari riders for over a decade, praised the increasing talent pool in the country. “There is a lot of talent in Qatar. More and more young riders are joining the sport and training seriously, which is a positive sign for the future,” he noted.
The development of equestrian sport in Qatar has been bolstered by initiatives such as the Al Shaqab Riding Academy and the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s youth programs. Tops highlighted the importance of starting young, noting that riders aged 8 to 16 are now being trained with a long-term vision. “Earlier, there were only a handful of riders, but now we have a growing number, and institutions like Al Shaqab are playing a crucial role in nurturing future champions,” he said.
He also stressed the patience and dedication required to excel in equestrian sports. “It’s not an easy sport. To master it, riders need years of training and the right partnership with their horse. Developing those skills takes time, but once achieved, success follows.”
The Qatar Equestrian Tour – Longines Hathab, now in its eighth edition, serves as a key platform for young riders to gain competitive experience. The ongoing 2024-25 season, which began on September 25, 2024, and runs until May 2025, features 14 competitions across showjumping and dressage at the Qatar Equestrian Federation and the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab.
With continued investment and development, Qatar is positioning itself as a rising force in the equestrian world, aiming for greater milestones in the years to come.
