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Longines Global Champions Tour Doha
Archives 2015

 

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Les échos de la Conférence de Presse après le Grand Prix de Doha au Qatar: Jan Tops est très confiant en l'avenir de son Longines Global Champions Tour, un circuit hippique qu'il a lancé il y a dix ans et qui brille au firmament de ce sport de rois...et d'émirs !! Doha (Qatar) 14 novembre 2015 *

Luciana Diniz, la brillante cavalière du Portugal en selle sur son bon Fit for Fun, s'impose dans le Grand Prix de Doha, pour la finale du Longines Global Champions Tour et remporte ainsi le Circuit 2015 devant un parterre impressionnant de Sheikhs venus de plusieurs pays du Golfe arabique. Doha (Qatar) 14 novembre 2015 *

Al Shaqab Arena (Doha-Qatar)- vendredi 13 novembre 2015 (2e jour)
S.A. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, père de l'actuel Emir du Qatar, en compagnie de son épouse, Sheikha Moza bin Nasser Al-Missned ont honoré de leur présence la première soirée de l'étape finale du Longines Global Champions Tour 2015. Avec de tels spectateurs, Scott Brash ne pouvait que se mettre en vedette avec son cheval Hello Sanctos et l'emporter ne serait-ce que de 7 dixièmes de seconde sur son adversaire le plus assidu de ce circuit: Rolf-Göran Bengtsson sur Clarimo ASK. *

Doha (Qatar)- 12 au 14 novembre 2015
Le suspens est à son comble: trois cavaliers peuvent encore remporter la Couronne de ce Championnat du Monde de saut "version Jan Tops" qui se disputera le weekend prochain dans le richissime émirat du Golfe arabique. Scott Brash, actuel leader des cavaliers mondiaux pourrait terminer cette année en apothéose ou s'incliner soit devant Luciana Diniz la cavalière du Portugal, ou le Suédois Rolf-Göran Bengtsson. Que le meilleur couple cavalier-cheval gagne !! *

 

Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, Group Executive Director Administration of Qatar Foundation and AL SHAQAB Executive Director: "Let me take this opportunity to thank His Highness the Father Emir, Her Highness Sheikha Moza, Sheikh Joaan and Hamad Al Attiya, the President of the Federation for the support they have given this magnificent event. There is no doubt, for the people even who are not related to the equestrian industry, they had an amazing time, so we all achieved what we wanted. It was exciting moment, an amazing evening and it cannot be better than what we have seen tonight. It is an amazing formula we have achieved tonight, amazing infrastructure. The riders handled the pressure amazingly. The support we had from everybody was outstanding and we came off with a beautiful picture of the sport."

Walter Von Känel, President of Longines: "I am so pleased that my colleague said what he did. It is a pleasure to thank the Global Champions Tour, to thank the locals, to thank all the riders and the horses, thank you to all the volunteers, and together we made a big push for the promotion of this equestrian land for jumping and this is fantastic. The spirit, the competition, no accident - this, for me, a farmer’s son, is probably the greatest pleasure I have. I would like to say to Luciana that you and your horse are really a great love story - Fit For Fun is Fit For ‘Love' with your horse - congratulations. It's nice to be here and thank you to all the locals and everybody for the promotion of equestrian in this beautiful country."

Jan Tops, Longines Global Champions Tour Founder and President: " As trainer of the Qatari squad, they have had a fantastic season, especially this year - 5th in the overall, today double clear - to beat all these people is very difficult, but at least they are in the game, they are getting good experience, they are riding with more confidence and I am very proud with the way they have developed the last few years. The aim was to qualify for the Olympics, achieve good results in the Longines Global Champions Tour - that's what they have achieved.

"10 years ago we started with 6 events, this year we’ve done 15 events, with 2 new events in Miami and Rome. We have very much established our events this year. The quality is much higher, we have a great team of people, our followers on television, the live-streaming is tremendous - it has been growing these past years and if you see what we have achieved in the last 10 years I think it is amazing. We are not tennis, golf or Formula 1 just yet, but the gap is not what it used to be. We have constant development for this year and our sport has a big future.

"These 3 riders have been really dominating the sport throughout the whole year. Luciana's horse was on great form to win today and overall, Rolf has been every time so consistent, everybody wanted him to win, he has been second twice. Also Scott, he has won two times but today he wanted to be friendly to Luciana to allow her to win today! I think they have all between them been by far the best of all the riders."

Uliano Vezzani, Course Designer: "For me today was not easy but with the great riders who were here, it was amazing. I’m very happy, for me, for the Longines Global Champions Tour. We had great sport. The arena was fantastic, we had also fantastic fences."

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, 2015 Longines Global Champions Tour Bronze Medallist: "First of all, I want to say that I really enjoyed doing the Longines Global Champions Tour and it is a fantastic thing. We go to very nice locations, where we make the sport famous everywhere. I didn’t go directly in the beginning, I started a little but later but I have been many times so consistent. To reach third place in the end, I’m still happy with that, of course I wanted to win but that’s life."

Scott Brash, 2015 Longines Global Champions Tour Silver Medallist: "I had a silly fence in the first round, coming out of the double. Ok, this is showjumping so we know it can happen. So I started the second round thinking that I had to be the fastest of the four faulters to have any chance so I went as fast as I could and it’s the reason I had a fence down. But Sanctos has been wonderful all year.

"I must say I think Luciana really deserves it, she’s been so consistent the whole year, as has Rolf. I think Fit For Fun jumped unbelievable today, it was actually an absolute joy to watch. They jumped fantastic, as did Rolf, so they really deserved it. In the last three legs of the Longines Global Champions Tour they just ran away it, so it’s all credit to both of them.”

Luciana Diniz, 2015 Longines Global Champions Tour Gold Medallist: “I was in a winning mood spirit today and riding Fit For ‘Love’ makes my life easier. It’s true, if you ride with love and you believe in what you do it makes your life easier. So this success to be here, I am not alone in that - I have to thank all of you as well, the Longines Global Champions Tour, all the supporters, Doha, AL SHAQAB. And now my team, my fantastic horses, Fit for ‘Love’, Winningmood who has been in great shape this year. I love this name by the way! I think we have arrived with a different story in our sport, with a new image as well for the sport - I’m not saying it’s going to be like tennis one day but I think we’re respectable now, people are looking for us with a different spirit now and I’m very happy to be here today. These two boys were gentlemen today and let the lady be first so I’m very happy with that.

“[Scott and Rolf] are so good, if I would think about focusing on them and what they are going to do I would be lost. So I just said I’d focus on myself and what my horse can do and I’m just going to be with her there, together we are one and that was my strategy today - just focus on the both of us. Fit For Love was in love with me."

(Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

 

Luciana Diniz and Fit For Fun took the 2015 Championship tonight after winning the final Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of the season in sensational style. The incredible sporting action went right down to the wire in Doha, Qatar, and the top three contenders had fans on the edge of their seats until the final moment of the final round.

It was a magnificent finale at AL SHAQAB with all eyes on the three riders who had battled through the series to be in with a chance of the championship crown - Scott Brash, Luciana Diniz and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson. On the night it was Luciana and her chestnut mare who emerged as the supreme combination of the high octane season.

The Royal Family of Qatar attended the Longines Global Champions Tour event for the second day running and witnessed three strong performances from Qatari national riders, including Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani who rode an impressive double clear in the Grand Prix. His Highness The Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al Missned and Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani enthusiastically applauded Sheikh Ali and watched the championship prize giving ceremony along with guests in a special cultural VIP tent next to the arena.

It was a epic night of top-level sport at full throttle rounding off a spectacular season. From the opening moments, when the world of show jumping was stunned by the new venue on Miami Beach, the 15-event circuit powered on to stops including Shanghai, Monaco, Paris, Rome and the final in Doha. Fans across the world grew in numbers during the season watching the increasing international TV coverage and live streaming on GCT TV.

All eyes were on Doha and the three who could take the 2015 season title - Scott Brash (GBR), Luciana Diniz (POR) and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE). The first round course on the sweeping 520m track in the AL SHAQAB arena was a formidable test; it demanded ultra precision and concentration from both horse and rider. In particular the last line of the course and the triple combination with two oxers was a strong test for the best riders in the world as they competed to earn their place in round two. The bright colours of the fences, often depicting traditional Arabic designs, were also a test for the horses, and the stunning floodlit arena set the backdrop for a dramatic 2015 season finale.

Course designer Uliano Vezzani produced a fittingly formidable first round course for the final showdown of the year. It was described by show jumping legend Ludger Beerbaum: “I definitely believe it is big enough, demanding enough. It may not be super technical but the size is serious."

The time allowed in the first round was tight, with 78 seconds given in total for this challenging course. Doda de Miranda (BRA) was the first to go clear with AD Living the Dream, but picked up an unlucky time fault. He was soon joined by Rene Tebbel (UKR) and Hamad Ali Mohamed Al Attiyah (QAT) who rode clear with Appagino, to the delight of his home crowd, however all were just caught out by the time allowed.

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) was the first to go clear with Fibonacci, and she was delighted with her 10 year old grey gelding. Soon to follow was Qatar’s own Bassem Hassan Mohammed with California, and the crowd erupted as their home rider flew over the last.

First to go of the title contenders was Ranking leader Scott Brash (GBR). He and Hello Sanctos flew around but clipped a fence, picking up four faults to the groan of the audience and his fans around the world. The temperature rose as Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) and Casall ASK were the next title contender to enter the ring, knowing that he would need to win the Grand Prix to be in with a chance of the Champion of Champions Crown.

With the consistency they’ve shown throughout the season, Rolf and Casall ASK rode a stunning clear - fastest to do so at that point in the competition and pushing Scott down to 15th. As the final riders took their turn, Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) clipped a fence meaning that Scott would go through to the second round, finishing in 18th place and keeping his title hopes alive.

Luciana Diniz (POR) and Fit For Fun 13 were second last to go, and rode a brilliant clear round, the quickest of the riders so far and meaning that the three title contenders would go through to the second round as the intensity rose. The heat was on, with Rolf-Göran Bengtsson needing a double clear in order to go through to the jump-off with a chance of taking the title.

The top eighteen went through to the second round, with Ranking leader Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos first in and with everything to do to keep his title hopes alive. The second layout was a big but fairly straightforward course, with three big fences to start and a generous time of 77 seconds. A rather awkward line to the treble combination would require plenty of care and scope and a 1,60m vertical penultimate fence caught out a few of the top riders.

Scott rode a beautiful round all the way up until the penultimate fence, just clipping the pole and finishing on 8 faults in total with a time of 62.69s. However as the class progressed, the riders to follow also had fences down, leaving Scott at the top of the eight faulters.

The experienced Ludger Beerbaum (GER) and Chiara were first to go clear, and carried through their four faults after a careful round but Bertram Allen (IRL) soon pipped his time with the talented Molly Malone V. Rene Tebbel (UKR) and Forlap also went clear however with their one time fault carried over were soon pushed down the order as Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT) and First Devision rode a stunning double clear round, watch on by members of the Qatar Royal Family. The first to ride double clear, he was followed by Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) and Fibonacci, and, despite a heart-stopping moment at the double, meant there would be a jump-off.

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) and Casall ASK were next to go, and rode an unbelievable course, earning his place in the final round. His title hopes still open, he was followed by Luciana Diniz (POR) who raised the temperature yet higher still by following him into the jump-off. Scott was pushed down the order to 8th, meaning he was no longer in contention for the 2015 Title and it was a two horse race to the finish.

The final jump off of the season was kicked off by Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani however he had two down despite a valiant effort to reach the podium. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) rode some stunning angles, galloping to the last and flying home with a formidable time of 36.55s and setting the bar for the final two to follow.

The incredible pair of Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Casall ASK galloped around the course, cutting out strides and pushing to beat Meredith’s impressive time. But it wasn’t to be, and the formidable duo crossed the line in 37.01 seconds just tenths off the lead. Last to go Luciana Diniz knew that the title was hers, but set out to win the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha, and did so in emphatic style, with the brave Fit For Fun 13 jumping her heart out for the final, crossing the line in 36.10s.

It was a dramatic final showdown to what’s been an incredible season, with all the emphasis on the top level of sport and the high calibre profile of the Longines Global Champions Tour.

Last night it was announced that AL SHAQAB will be the stage for the 2016 championship final of the Longines Global Champions Tour, which will include the new Global Champions League Team Competition launching next year. Speaking about hosting the final again next year, Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, Group Executive Director Administration of Qatar Foundation and AL SHAQAB Executive Director said: “It is an honour for us, we are very proud of what you achieved.”

(Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

 

Ranking leader and World Number 1 Scott Brash (GBR) stole the show with Hello Forever today in Qatar in a sensational prelude to tomorrow’s Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha. The stunning night lights of AL SHAQAB illuminated a dramatic duel between Scott and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) in a taste of what lies ahed in a spellbinding climax to the season tomorrow. In the end Rolf came agonisingly close to victory with a stunning round on his grey stallion Clarimo ASK, finishing just seven tenths of a second behind Scott.

On the penultimate day of the Longines Global Champions Tour 2015 season, the temperature rose as riders fought to win a share of the €153,000 prize fund in the CSI5* 1.50/1.55m jump-off class.

Earlier, The Father Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bin Nasser All Missned watched Qatari national riders competing at AL SHAQAB and saw Longines Global Champions Tour President Jan Tops and his wife Edwina Tops-Alexander present rosettes to young riders in the special academy at the equestrian complex.

Then all eyes were on the big competition of the night as 46 contenders took to the vast 120m x 80m sand arena for a feast of high calibre show jumping featuring the world’s leading riders.

Italy’s Uliano Vezzani designed a flowing course, centred around two long lines of fences across the middle of the huge sand arena and posed a fair test ahead of tomorrow’s main Grand Prix. Germany’s Marco Kutscher got the class off to an excellent start, jumping clear with the 11 year old chestnut stallion Balermo, with third to go, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, guaranteeing a jump-off early on after a brilliant clear on the athletic Fibonacci 17.

With 10 of the first 24 combinations clear, it looked like there would be a large jump off, however with the next 12 riders failing to post a clear round, it was clear that the course was not as straight forward as initially perceived. Causing particular trouble was a line of two contrasting doubles across the diagonal on a committed related distance, which caught out many of these top-class combinations. The vertical to an oxer, six strides to another big oxer into the second double and a short distance to a tall vertical coming out threw in a few challenges, with Title contender Luciana Diniz (POR) and Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum two of the biggest names to get caught out in dramatic style.

Of the second half of the competitors to jump, only Scott Brash (GBR) riding Hello Forever and Ramzy Hamad Al Duhami (KSA) managed to complete faultless rounds. A total of 12 riders went through to the jump off, with all eyes on Scott and championship rival Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) to get an insight into the riders’ form ahead of the exhilarating Grand Prix.

The jump off round was a stern test for those who had made it through. Marco Kutscher (GER) and Balermo were first to go clear in a well balanced 46.85 seconds, setting the bar for the riders yet to come. Lauren Hough (USA) set off at a strong pace with Royalty Des Isles however was eliminated after an unlucky fall at the double.

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) and Clarimo ASK set off at a gallop and soon took the lead with a strong 45.42s over the line, taking out strides all along the course without throwing caution to the wind and raising the bar higher still to the riders yet to follow.

Gregory Wathelet (BEL) and Egano van het Slogenhof just caught the vertical going into the double, but was the quickest of the four faulters in 43.38. He was quickly followed by Columbia’s Carlos Lopez, who was lightning fast with Prince de la Mare however they also took out the vertical, just pipping Gregory to the fast time with 43.24s.

Scott Brash was the penultimate rider to enter the arena and set off at a blinding pace, picking Hello Forever up through the fences all around the course. Scott carried the young 9 year old horse brilliantly into the double that had caused so much trouble earlier, with a deep stride to carry him over and push on through to the final fences, finishing with a time of 44.78s.

Talking about Hello Forever, Scott said: “I’m really chuffed with him. His jump is very good so hopefully next year he’ll be an ever better horse - I'm delighted with him. He loves a jump off, he’s a winner.”

Looking ahead to the Grand Prix, Scott commented: "Sanctos feels good, he had a day off today and we’ll be trying our best tomorrow. You have to go in, do your job, focus on your horse, focus on beating the course and that’s all I can try and do.”

It’s set to be an incredible Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha tomorrow, with the first round kicking off at 17:15. The full Grand Prix will be broadcast live via the GCT TV online streaming platform, and broadcast by Eurosport, beIN Sport, Equidia Life, Globosat and Rai Sport. For a full broadcast list, please click here.

 

The stunning AL SHAQAB arena

(Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

(Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

 

The 2015 final of the Longines Global Champions Tour is set to be one of the most exciting climaxes to any season in the history of the series. The critical points battle that will unfold at the top of the ranking leader board will deliver a thrilling finale with three leading riders in contention for the overall crown. Here is a special insight into the fierce jostling for points that will take place when the curtain goes up on the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix this Saturday.

World number 1 and current leader Scott Brash (GBR) currently sits at the top of the leaderboard, and will make history if he is able to take his third consecutive title - a feat that’s never been achieved before on the Longines Global Champions Tour. Luciana Diniz (POR) is the next highest rank leader, sitting just two points away from Scott, and will be fighting to take her first Longines Global Champions Tour title. Two-time Silver Olympic Medallist Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) is the final rider who has the potential to take the title, having come runner up twice before.

Up and down the Ranking board there is the potential for high drama and world class action as the top showjumpers in the world compete at the magnificent AL SHAQAB stadium. Only the riders’ top eight scores throughout the season will be counted, meaning that the greatest number of points possible will be high on the agenda for the Grand Prix. With a bonus of €1 million on offer for the top 18 ranked riders, as well as the €450,000 Grand Prix of Doha prize fund, there’s everything to play for in this final round of exhilarating competition.

Calculation for Scott Brash
To win the 2015 LGCT title: As long as Rolf is not 1st, Scott has to be finish in a minimum of 6th position and better placed then Luciana.

Calculation for Luciana Diniz
To win the 2015 LGCT title: As long as Rolf is not 1st, Luciana has to finish in a minimum of 5th position and better placed then Scott.

Calculation for Rolf-Göran Bengtsson
To win the 2015 LGCT title: Rolf has to win the Grand Prix of Doha, with Scott and Luciana in 4th or lower.

In brief therefore, if Scott or Luciana are placed 5th or higher, the best rank will decide the 2015 Longines Global Champions Tour title. If Rolf wins the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha, Scott and Luciana must be 4th or higher to take the Champion of Champions Crown, or he can claim the title.

Further down the ranking board there is opportunity for more drama and potential for change. Simon Delestre (FRA) and Christian Ahlmann (GER) are currently in 4th and 5th place, however will be unable to improve on their ranking position. However the next five riders, Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT), John Whitaker (GBR), Pénélope Leprevost (FRA), Pius Schwizer (SUI) and Lauren Hough (USA) are separated by just a few points and have the chance to move up and down the leaderboard.

For a full chart of the current points standings, the potential number of points a rider can achieve this weekend, and the possible movement, please see below:

Chart of points standings and potential

For a full ranking list, please click here.