Crowning a Champion of Champions

© Stefano Grasso/LGCT

The countdown has begun and in just under three weeks, the greatest show jumpers in the world will come together for the final testing Grand Prix of the 2014 Championship race, hosted by the magnificent AL SHAQAB in Doha, Qatar. From the 13-15th November, this spectacular state-of-the-art equestrian stadium complex will welcome some of the biggest and brightest names in show jumping, including reigning Longines Global Champions Tour Champion and World No1 Scott Brash (GBR) and his biggest rival for this year’s title, four-time Olympic Gold medallist and World No2 Ludger Beerbaum (GER). 

A star-studded line-up

For this, the dramatic conclusion to a roller-coaster ride of a season, the stars of the sport are all out in force for the final showdown. AL SHAQAB, part of the renowned Qatar Foundation, will welcome World No4 and No5 Kent Farrington (USA) and Kevin Staut (FRA); 2014 FEI World Cup Final winner Daniel Deusser (GER); World Championship Team Gold medallists Maikel van der Vleuten (NED), Gerco Schröder (NED) and Jur Vrieling (NED); Olympic Champion Steve Guerdat (SUI), European Champion Roger-Yves Bost (FRA), two-time Longines Global Champions Tour Champion Edwina Tops-ALexander (AUS), and former Olympic Champions Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA). For the full rider list please click here. 

A Champion of Champions

On Saturday 15th November, the the overall Longines Global Champions Tour Champion will be named. In sparkling form, Ludger Beerbaum leads the Championship race, with Scott Brash, who’s won an unprecedented three Grand Prix this season, poised in 3rd. But it’s a three-way charge to the finish line and former European Champion Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (SWE), sitting 2nd on the leaderboard, is also in the running. Runner-up to Tops-Alexander in 2012, Bengtsson should never be discounted, however he needs to win the Grand Prix in Doha to take the Championship, Brash has to finish at least 5th to retain his crown, but if Beerbaum finishes above Brash the title will be his. 

Longines Global Champions Tour Founder and President Jan Tops: “The top three could still win the Championship. Scott has a good advantage with one less score than the rest, on the other hand Ludger is way ahead, so it’s going to be very exciting. They are all Champion riders and winners. It’s great for the public to see and AL SHAQAB will once again provide wonderful stage for this final round.”

A rich reward

With a Grand Prix prize fund of €450,000 and a bonus Championship prize fund of €1 million being shared among the highest ranked finishers in this year’s series, the competition on Grand Prix day will be fierce. All of the Longines Global Champions Tour Top Ten ranked riders are confirmed for Doha as well as a collection of Olympic, World and Regional medal-winners, all vying for the top sport and the lion’s share of the winnings. When Brash won both the Doha Grand Prix and the overall title last season, he netted a cool €450,000 - all on his 28th birthday! Can the Scottsman do it again, this time ladened with the pressure of expectation (something he insists he relishes), or will the German legend or Swedish hero pip him to the post?

On Saturday 15th November, you can watch season finale highlights on Eurosport or follow the action live on beIN Sports, GCT TV, Equidia Life, ClassHorseTV and Horse&Country TV. Don’t miss one of the most exciting sporting spectacles of the season!

By LGCT Media Release