In an exclusive joint interview to be shown in full on GCT TV tomorrow, the three contenders for the 2014 Longines Global Champions Tour title sat down together in a rare coming together of the world’s best. Ludger Beerbaum (GER), Scott Brash (GBR) and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) spoke candidly about their individual and each other’s chances in Saturday’s crucial final Grand Prix of the series where the 2014 Longines Global Champions Tour Champion will be decided. 2013 Longines Global Champions Tour Champion and World No1 Scott Brash: “(Al Shaqab) has been a lucky place for me so far. It was fantastic winning here last year. I gave (Hello Sanctos) a break after Vienna. Then I gave him a warm-up show in Lyon last week and he jumped really good. It was my mistake we had the last fence down. He’s come here in the best shape we can have him. Fingers crossed for Saturday!” 2012 Longines GCT Championship runner-up and time Olympic Silver medallist Rolf-Göran Bengtsson: “Sitting between these two is an honour and I have only one chance here, and that is the win, which is nearly impossible to make if you have to make it. But we don’t give up! (Casall ASK) has had a break since the World Championships and he jumped well in Lyon. He likes the big arena and the footing here and he is an experienced horse, but you have to take it a step at a time, we will just try and jump clear in the Grand Prix first round and see how it goes.” Championship Leader and four-time Olympic Gold medallist Ludger Beerbaum: “Chiara was meant to be my ride, but she had light colic so we decided to not show her. This has left me with Zinedine, which for sure is a little bit of a disadvantage, but I am still ahead. He has been 5th and 2nd on the Tour this year so I will try my best with him. He’s always been my second or third horse, but he did really well in Shanghai and London, so why not here? If the course is not extremely big and crazy technical, I think I have a chance. It’s going to be very interesting for sure.” Ludger continues: “We can be completely realistic, if it’s just the three of us in the jump-off - Casall was unbelievable in the World Championships, more consistent than anyone else. Then Hello Sanctos would be behind Casall, then three days and then my horse. If it came to that, it would be between Scott and Rolf. I am not competing on the same level with these two.” Scott Brash: “I don’t think it matters what Ludger is riding he is going to have a chance. Ludger is the man to beat. I agree with Ludger, Casall has been on fantastic form. Rolf could definitely win on Saturday, for sure. We are all going to be trying so it should be a good, exciting showdown.” The Longines Global Champions Tour of Doha Grand Prix highlights will be broadcast on Eurosport on Saturday 15th November, with live coverage shown from Saturday 3.15pm CET on beIN Sports, Al Kass, Horse&Country TV, GCT TV, Equidia Life and ClassHorseTV. Look out for the full video of the interview which will be released on our digital channels tomorrow.
