The Longines Global Champions Tour show jumping championship began on Thursday evening in the Giza Pyramids area west of Cairo, marking the first time the event is held in Egypt, with the finals concluding on Saturday. The championship takes place amidst history, with fierce competition and enchanting atmospheres, in an exceptional event that combines the magic of ancient Egyptian civilization with the highest levels of international sports competition.
Minister of Youth and Sports Jawhar Nabil emphasized in a statement issued by the ministry on Wednesday that Egypt's hosting of the Longines Global Champions Tour show jumping round at the foot of the Giza Pyramids represents an important opportunity to promote Egyptian tourist and cultural destinations and present an honorable image of Egypt to the world. Nabil added that the event sees the participation of a select group of the world's top equestrians, giving Egyptian riders the opportunity to interact with experienced international counterparts, thereby supporting the development of equestrian sports in Egypt.
Approximately 100 horses and the top 50 riders worldwide are participating in the round, led by a group of Olympic medalists, including British rider Ben Maher, a three-time Olympic gold medalist. A select group of the world's top equestrians is also participating, including German rider Christian Kukuk, Paris Olympics champion, and his compatriot Marcus Ehning, Sydney Olympics champion.
The competitions feature an Egyptian team consisting of riders Nael Nasar and Sameh El-Dahan, competing in the Global Series. The championship also features Olympic medalists Sophie Arthenaz, Tibor de Nemethy, and Denis Lynch, all of whom possess extensive experience in major international competitions. The list also includes Abdul Saeed, the current leader of the Global Champions Tour show jumping championship standings, and winner of the Super Grand Prix of the round and the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Doha.
Abdul Saeed, born in Alexandria and currently representing Belgium, adds another link between the international participant list and Egypt, after winning the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix in 2025, and the Grand Prix of the round in Doha in 2024 and 2025. Also participating is Max Kühner, who currently holds fifth place in the overall round standings.
Saudi rider Abdulrahman Al-Rajhi is also participating, having represented his country at the Paris 2024 Olympics and won medals at the Asian Games, alongside Ali bin Khalid Al Thani and Bassam Mohammed from Qatar, whose achievements include Olympic and Asian titles and medals. According to the ministry, Nael Nasar previously represented Egypt at the London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, with his most notable achievement being winning the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in New York in 2019. As for Sameh El-Dahan, who began his equestrian career at the Police Union Sports Club in Cairo before launching his international career, he won the Grand Prix of the round in Paris in 2018.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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