QEF President and Vice-Chairman of the Organizing Committee for International Equestrian Championships Bader bin Mohammed Al Darwish (left) and Event Director of the Doha International Equestrian Tours Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin during a press conference at Al Shaqab yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Equestrian Federation and Al Shaqab announced yesterday the launch of the H H The Father Amir Tour, unveiling the 2026 equestrian calendar – the largest in history featuring 10 major competitions.
With a total prize pool of €10m, Qatar is set to host the region’s biggest international equestrian events from January to April next year, attracting top riders from all over the world.
The H H The Father Amir Tour will kick off international action from December 31, 2025 to January 31, 2026. The prestigious series will feature four five-star international showjumping championships throughout January. Following the inaugural event will be the popular H H The Amir’s Sword Festival, which will take place from February 11 to 14, with the CHI Al Shaqab scheduled from February 18 to 21.
The Longines Global Champions Tour will occur from March 4 to 7, while the three-round Doha International Equestrian Tour, which was a huge success last January, will run from March 11 to April 4. The Hathab Series, starting in October, will pause during the international events.
“These events will make the global equestrian calendar complete and further enhance Qatar’s status as a sports capital,” said Bader bin Mohammed Al Darwish, President of the Qatar Equestrian Federation and Vice-Chairman of the Organizing Committee for International Equestrian Championships, at a press conference held at Al Shaqab.
“Qatar’s world-class infrastructure, designed to international standards, strongly supports Qatar International Equestrian and contributes to its ongoing success. The legacy of hosting major international tournaments is the foundation of our aspirations for the future.”
He added, “These championships will be a new milestone in our journey towards achieving our strategic goals, including sustainable development of the sports sector and strengthening international partnerships, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Al Darwish added that the packed calendar will support the growth of Qatari riders for major global and continental championships.
Mohammed Jaber Al Khayarin, Event Director of the Doha International Equestrian Tours, said that the new calendar will solidify Qatar’s status as the global equestrian hub and elevate Al Shaqab as the prime venue for the sport.
“Through these championships, Al Shaqab aspires to become the cradle of equestrianism in both the world and the region. It offers state-of-the-art sports facilities that provide the ideal environment for riders globally,” said Al Khayarin.
“Al Shaqab is one of Qatar’s premier sports landmarks and embodies our vision of providing exceptional sports experiences. It also highlights Qatar’s advanced infrastructure and supports our efforts to elevate Qatar’s position on the global sports scene.”
Al Khayarin also emphasised that safety remains a top priority for the event organisers.
“Our security teams, in coordination with relevant authorities, are implementing stringent safety measures at all sports facilities, ensuring the highest levels of security. Additionally, there is a wide range of accommodation options and a modern transportation network that ensures smooth travel across the country. These factors combined make the Qatar International Equestrian Tour 2026 a unique sporting event, enhancing Qatar’s position as the capital of equestrianism and sports, and offering an unforgettable experience for participants and visitors alike.”
