Organisers of the Longines Global Champions Tour have confirmed that all 147 horses stranded in Doha have arrived safely back in Europe following the cancellation of the event due to US-Israeli air strikes. Two charter flights transported the animals to Liège, Belgium, amid challenges including airspace closures and time pressures. The safe return brings relief to riders, grooms, and owners after a week of uncertainty.
The Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) leg scheduled for 4-7 March 2026 in Doha was cancelled after US-Israeli air strikes in the region, leaving 147 showjumping horses, along with riders and grooms, stranded at the Al Shaqab equestrian complex for a week.
An LGCT spokesperson announced on 9 March that two charter flights had successfully landed in Europe. "We are delighted to confirm that all 147 horses are safely home," the spokesperson said. "In challenging circumstances, we are incredibly grateful for the extraordinary efforts made to organise these flights at the earliest possible opportunity. The Doha Equestrian Tours team, local authorities and Qatar Airways worked tirelessly to ensure the horses could leave as quickly and safely as possible."
The first flight carried 74 horses and landed in Liège, Belgium, on Sunday, 8 March, while the second with 73 horses arrived the following day. Belgian company European Horse Services (EHS), in partnership with the Belgian equestrian federation, coordinated the logistics. A federation spokesperson noted the operation's time pressure: "While preparing an international horse charter normally takes several days, this transport had to be arranged in a very short time. This also involved practical challenges, such as administrative formalities, the temporary closure of airspace and on-site organisation during Ramadan."
Upon arrival at Liège airport, the horses were unloaded, checked, and most proceeded to their home stables the same day, with some delayed briefly for paperwork. The Doha Equestrian Tour emphasised safety as the absolute priority, stating: "Thanks to our relentless team working 24/7 to make this happen, horses and grooms finally set course for the next arenas of the season."
Some staff unable to travel on the horse flights were provided cars for a road transfer from Doha to Riyadh, where airspace remained open, allowing them to fly and reunite with their animals. British rider Scott Brash shared a social media video on 9 March of his horses rolling in their stables upon return, captioning it: "Happy to be home."
Although disappointed by the cancellation, LGCT organisers look forward to returning to Al Shaqab in the future, with attention now shifting to the season kick-off in Miami Beach.
