Doha, November 10, 2009/salman Ahmed

Qatar will hosts the final of the Global Champions Tour (GCT) from November 11 to 14 at the outdoor arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF)After organizing the first leg of the GCT last year.

Doha was chosen to host the final, which is a significant step that gives everyone a hint of how Qatar is getting bigger and bigger in the equestrian arena.

The reigning world champion Jos Lansink, Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze and European champion Kevin Staut along with Qatari riders Sheikh Ali bin Khaled Al-Thani and Asian Games gold medalist Ali Yousef al-Rumaihi will be the star attraction at this elite show jumping event which offers a prize money of QR7.6mn.

"About 40 horses have arrived already and another 37 are expected to arrive on Monday. All horses are fit and have taken the journey from Europe in their stride. We are happy to be back here in Qatar again and are looking forward to the final where the world''s top 25 riders will be seen in action," GCT Event Director Ingmar De Vos said.

The facilities at the QEF came in for praise from the GCT representative Fred Van Lierop. "We are very pleased that the GCT final is being held here in Qatar. The best riders in the world will be competing this week with their best horses. We have Olympics, world and European champions who are part of this tour.

The equestrian fans have the opportunity to witness the best in action," Lierop said. "We can truly say that we have the strongest field of participants in Doha and we believe it will be a magnificent show," Lierop added.