Stage set for HH The Emir’s Sword at Longines Arena at Al Shaqab from February 11 to 14

Doha: Doha Equestrian Tour Organizing Committee announced the completion of preparations for the HH The Emir’s Sword competition, which will take place at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab from February 11 to 14. The event will feature 283 riders and 599 horses, with a total prize purse exceeding €2 million.

The Grand Prix is the highlight of the tournament, boasting a prize pool of €1.5 million. The Grand Prix is considered one of the largest and most prestigious competitions in show jumping worldwide, renowned for its high level of competition and the participation of top-ranked riders from around the globe.

The Grand Prix is a highly competitive event and attracts some of the world’s best riders. This came during a press conference held today with the participation of Mr. Bader bin Mohammed Al-Darwish, President of the Qatar Equestrian Federation and member of the Doha Equestrian Tour Organizing Committee; Mr. Salmeen Al-Suwaidi, the tournament’s Sports Director; Mr. Abdullah Al-Qashouti, the tournament’s Marketing and Communications Director; and representatives of the sponsors, tournament committees, and local and regional media.

The tournament, which represents the fifth leg of the 2026 Doha Equestrian Tour, kicks off on Wednesday with two five-star classes at heights of 140 cm and 150 cm in the outdoor arena. On Thursday, nine classes will be held: three for one-star and five-star classes, three for the three-star class qualifying for the World Cup, in addition to a local class at heights of 60 cm and an international dressage class. The Longines outdoor arena will host the Hermes Seller class, a Grand Prix qualifier at a height of 155 cm, with a jump-off. The competitions continue on Friday with 10 rounds: two for the Star category, three for the Three-Star category (qualifying for the World Cup), two for the Junior and Youth categories, a local round at 80 cm, an International Dressage round for the Star category, and the Grand Prix for the Five-Star category at 160 cm with a jump-off.

On the final day, Saturday, the competitions will include the Grand Prix for the Three-Star category at 150 cm (qualifying for the World Cup), the Grand Prix for the Star category at 130 cm, two rounds for the Five-Star and Star categories, two rounds for the Youth and Junior categories (qualifying for the FEI Group VII Final), two rounds for the Three-Star category (ranging from 140 cm to 145 cm, qualifying for the World Cup), and a local round at 100 cm. The list of riders participating in the tournament includes a selection of the world’s top-ranked riders, led by Britain’s Scott Brash, the world’s number one ranked rider and current leader in the Doha Equestrian Tour’s four- and five-star categories. Brash also won the Grand Prix title in the fourth and final leg of the HH The Father Emir Cup. Other participants include Austria’s Max Köhner, Britain’s Harry Charles, the USA’s Eve Jobs, Germany’s Nadia Peter-Steiner, and Belgium’s Abdelkader Said, along with several other world-ranked riders.

On this occasion, Mr. Khalifa Al-Attiyah, Executive Director of the Doha Equestrian Tour, stated that equestrian sport in Qatar is experiencing an exceptional period, particularly following the resounding success of the HH The Father Emir Cup. The tournament witnessed a wide international presence and high-level technical performances throughout its four legs, further solidifying Qatar’s position on the global equestrian map. He added: “This success is a continuation of a long history of achievements that have cemented our championships’ place on the global equestrian map. Today, we are witnessing the largest championship in the history of Qatar and the region in terms of total prize money, including the Grand Prix with its €1.5 million prize pool. With His Highness the Amir’s Sword, we are building on this great legacy of success, and we affirm that this year’s edition will have the same competitive momentum, and even surpass it in terms of organization, high technical level, and participation from an elite group of world champions. This is supported by the state-of-the-art infrastructure provided by Al Shaqab’s world-class facilities, designed according to the highest international technical standards. Furthermore, the wide participation of top-ranked riders from around the world, and the significant interest from international federations, reflect the growing confidence of the global sporting community in the level of organization and professionalism of our championships.” For his part, Mr. Bader bin Mohammed Al-Darwish stated that the Emir’s Sword is a strategic step towards achieving the goals of Qatari equestrianism, as it contributes to developing and improving the performance of Qatari riders, enhancing their experience, and giving them the opportunity to compete and interact with the world’s top-ranked riders.

He added: “This championship is the culmination of our efforts, in cooperation with relevant authorities, to promote sports tourism in the State of Qatar and to emphasize Doha’s status as a capital of sports, especially as it is part of a series of championships that comprise the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026, and coincides with a number of international sporting events hosted by the country during the championship period.”

Mr. Salmeen Al-Suwaidi, the championship’s sports director, explained that the championship features the participation of more than 280 riders, including 93 Qatari riders, in addition to riders representing more than 30 Gulf and European countries, competing in both show jumping and dressage events. He added: “The championship also features international dressage competitions and three-star World Cup qualifying events, in addition to qualifying rounds for the FEI Group VII Final, and local competitions for the junior category.”

A Closing Ceremony to Suit All Audiences

The championship’s closing ceremony will be held on Friday, in a festive atmosphere combining sport and entertainment. A variety of artistic performances will be presented to suit all audiences, including light shows and drone displays with innovative designs reflecting the championship’s prestige and values. The events will also include equestrian-related activities within the arena, giving the public an opportunity to learn more.