German rider Ludger Beerbaum guides Mila over a fence during the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha 2022 in this file photo.
Doha: A legend of showjumping, the unassuming Ludger Beerbaum made a quiet entry to the press conference at Al Shaqab on Tuesday morning. The German could have been mistaken for anyone but the decorated rider he is.
The 59-year-old has won everything that has be won in showjumping, but his unbridled love for riding and horse has kept him going over the years. Now the four-time Olympic gold medallist – individual medal at Barcelona 1992 and team golds with Germany at Seoul 1988, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 – is ready to kick-start yet another season.
Beerbaum is aiming to replicate his last year’s heroics at the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Grand Prix of Doha, where the veteran secured an emotional win with now 11-year-old mare Mila. He will once again start as the contender for the season-opening round of the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL season, which will be held at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab from today till Saturday.
“You have the best horse, rider combinations here so exciting sport is guaranteed. I would love to repeat what I did last year but it will be tough with the level of competition and best combinations here,” said Beerbaum yesterday.
“I have been coming to this event in Doha since day one, and every year I look forward to coming back. It is a really unique venue, all the horses love to come here, and it has great facilities that are state of the art. It is just world class and that is the reason why we all love to come back every year. It is simple, it is a great place to compete,” the German added.
With more than €36m in prize money on offer this year – an increase of €6m, it is all to play for Beerbaum and his challengers. Hot on his heels will be world number one Henrik von Eckermann as the Swede starts his bid to win his first-ever LGCT season Championship.
Ludger Beerbaum
Last year’s LGCT championship runner-up Pieter Devos will be aiming to go one better, with the first event of the season promising to be an electrifying battle of the best. Devos could get a crucial head start on his rivals as he chooses wise tactics to compete in the first event of the season unlike his closest rival last year and 2023 Champion Ben Maher, who is out due to injury.
The Shanghai Swans’ daring duo of Max Kuhner and Christian Ahlmann will be out in full force this week with their epic horsepower. In exceptional form last week, Marcus Ehning and Stargold have their eyes on the prize in the €375,000 LGCT Grand Prix of Doha while previous LGCT Champions heading to Doha also include Harrie Smolders and Edwina Tops-Alexander making it one of the most competitive line-ups in the history of LGCT Doha.
Two Qatari riders including Rashid Towaim Ali Al Marri (Concordess NRW) and Bassem Mohammed (Caletto Cabana) will take part at LGCT.
As the biggest names in show jumping including John Whitaker, Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Niels Bruynseels, Denis Lynch and Maikel van der Vleuten all descend to one of the most phenomenal arenas - the 2023 race is guaranteed to start with a bang.
Young talent will bid to make their mark as Jack Whitaker, Jodie Hall McAteer, Lily Attwood and Khaled Almobty all look for their first podium of the year alongside show jumping heavyweights Shane Breen, Olivier Philippaerts, Marlon Zanotelli, Yuri Mansur, Jur Vrieling, Ioli Mytilineou, Omer Karaevli, Philipp Weishaupt, Christian Kukuk and Mark McAuley.
The 2023 brings an exciting new weekend format for the Longines Global Champions Tour show schedules which will be premiered this week in Doha. The biggest change will see Round 1 and Round 2 of the GCL team series now take place on the same day instead of across two days. In addition, each weekend in the 2023 series will see the top 40 riders qualify for the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix giving more top riders the chance to take part in the big showdown.
For GCL, Team Owners and managers have been locked in intensive strategic planning during the off season, recruiting the best riders to construct winning teams.
With luxurious hospitality and fun activities for families under the soaring architecture of Al Shaqab, spectators will be treated to three days of thrilling action along with activities for children including pony rides, chic cafes with incredible views of the competition arena and much more.
