What a week. Honestly. By any measure, the seven days between March 16 and March 22, 2026 delivered more equestrian news than most months -- a geopolitical crisis that stranded 147 horses in Qatar and required a four-hour road convoy through the Gulf before two cargo flights could bring them home, Germany anthems ringing out four days straight in Ocala, Scott Brash winning the Grand Prix Hermès at the Grand Palais under the glass ceiling of Paris, and the US team -- defending Nations Cup winners on home soil -- getting knocked out in round one. It was that kind of week. Welcome to the Notting Hill Equine weekly journal. Let's get into it.
147 Horses Home Safe: The Qatar Evacuation
We need to start here because nothing else this week came close to the stakes involved. If you have been following this story since it broke in early March, you know the outline: US-Israeli air strikes on Iran triggered regional airspace closures, the Longines Global Champions Tour cancelled its season-opening leg at Al Shaqab in Doha days before competition was due to begin, and suddenly approximately 147 elite sport horses -- some of the most valuable equine athletes in the world -- were stranded in Qatar with no immediate way home.
Some of the world's best riders and horses were trapped in the Qatari capital as a war raged overhead. The show was cancelled, and riders were told earlier in the week that organizers thought the military action would soon end -- but that optimism faded quickly. "There is no way out, so telling us to evacuate is a joke," one team manager said. "We've called the embassies to try to get the clients home, and they're not willing to help right now. Everyone is thinking that we're choosing to stay. And right now, it feels like Qatar is the safest possible option in this region."
What followed was a logistical operation that would have been challenging under normal circumstances and was extraordinary under these ones. Qatar continues to have closed airspace, so vehicles and horse floats were provided to travel from Doha to Riyadh -- a four-hour journey by road covering 217 miles. From Riyadh King Khalid International Airport, two Boeing 777F cargo flights then operated on the six-hour nonstop flight to Liège Airport in Belgium. One flight carried 74 horses, the other 73, with staff onboard throughout.
On Monday March 9, an LGCT spokesperson confirmed that both flights had landed safely. "We are delighted to confirm that all 147 horses are safely home," the statement read. "In challenging circumstances, we are incredibly grateful for the extraordinary efforts made to organise these flights at the earliest possible opportunity. The Doha Tours team, local authorities and Qatar Airways worked tirelessly to ensure the horses could leave as quickly and safely as possible."
The operation had to be organized under considerable time pressure. While preparing an international horse charter normally takes several days, this transport had to be arranged in a very short time -- involving practical challenges including administrative formalities, the temporary closure of airspace, and on-site organisation during Ramadan.
Scott Brash, whose horses were among those evacuated, shared a video on social media of his horses arriving back in their stables and enjoying a good roll. That video said everything that needed saying. The LGCT added: "While we're disappointed not to have started the season in Doha as planned, we look forward to returning to Al Shaqab in the future. Our attention now turns to Miami Beach for the 2026 season kick-off."
The wider question this crisis raised -- one that British five-star showjumper Jodie Hall McAteer addressed directly in her Horse and Hound column this week -- is whether the sport's increasing globalization, and the prize money that draws European riders to the Gulf circuit, adequately accounts for the risks involved. The Middle Eastern tours have grown in popularity in recent years, helped by increased prize pots. A lot of riders came home during the tour's break, then found themselves unable to get flights back out -- separated from their horses, who were stuck there. The horses got home. The conversation about what happens next time has only just begun.
The Al Shaqab Complex -- What Is It?
Al Shaqab Equestrian Center in Doha is one of the most spectacular equestrian venues in the world -- a state-of-the-art facility that has hosted the Doha Equestrian Tour and the Longines Global Champions Tour season opener for several years. Situated approximately one hour by road from Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the Middle East, its location became acutely relevant when the regional security situation deteriorated. The LGCT has stated its commitment to returning to Al Shaqab as soon as the situation allows.
Germany: Four Days, Four Wins, One Very Clear Message
While the Qatar situation was unfolding, the equestrian world's competitive attention shifted to Ocala, Florida, where the second leg of the 2026 Longines League of Nations was taking shape at World Equestrian Center. What Germany produced across the week was, by any measure, exceptional.
It started on Thursday night. André Thieme won the $350,000 J.P. Morgan Grand Prix CSIO5* riding Paule S, a 16-year-old mare who has already won the European Championship title and proved she still has more to give. Then René Dittmer won Friday's main jumping competition. Then Germany won the Nations Cup on Saturday night. Four days, four German anthems, one very clear statement of intent heading into the season.
In the Nations Cup final itself, under Chef d'Equipe Otto Becker, the Germans went one better than their runner-up finish in Ocala in 2025 -- André Thieme on DSP Chakaria, René Dittmer with Corsica X, Christian Kukuk with Checker 47, and Richard Vogel riding Cloudio posting a combined total of just four faults across two gripping rounds.
The standout performance of the night came from Christian Kukuk and Checker 47. The reigning Olympic champions had been separated for three months while Kukuk competed in the US -- Checker was kept fit at home by Ludger Beerbaum's team in Riesenbeck. "I rode him three days at the farm last week, and he already gave me that feeling that he's in really good shape," Kukuk said after their double-clear performance. "I really have to say, he's 16, but I can't feel any difference to like, two to three years ago. He is a different level. He makes it look so easy and feel so easy."
Richard Vogel anchored the team with characteristic composure. "I went in almost in a bit of a comfortable situation, having one rail to give," Vogel said. "In this format, it makes it very exciting. I'm very proud of my horse, Cloudio. He came over from Europe for the Nations Cup; I just met him here, and he delivered double clear. I couldn't be happier."
Otto Becker, the German Chef d'Equipe, summarised it simply: "What a week, what a team." Germany now leads the League of Nations standings on 190 points, with France second on 155 and Ireland third on 150. The series next moves to Rotterdam on June 19.
The US -- a difficult night on home turf
A year after winning the Ocala leg, the US faced a challenging first round in the Nations Cup on Saturday night. Lillie Keenan came off Argan de Beliard at the final fence. McLain Ward had withdrawn to recover from an injury, with Natalie Dean asked to join the team just that week as a replacement. Dean delivered the best performance of the US group -- a clear in 73.32 seconds -- but it was not enough to prevent the US and Switzerland from failing to make the cut into the second round, making the US the defending champions knocked out before the final eight. It is the nature of Nations Cup sport. Different horses, different day, different result. The series continues.
Scott Brash Wins the Grand Prix Hermès at the Grand Palais
While Germany was dominating in Florida, the equestrian world's European contingent gathered under the extraordinary glass ceiling of the Grand Palais in Paris for the 16th edition of the Saut Hermès -- one of the most visually spectacular shows on the entire calendar and one where winning means something distinct from winning anywhere else.
Scott Brash won the Grand Prix Hermès CSI5* riding Hello Chadora Lady -- adding his name to the Saut Hermès honours board that includes Simon Delestre (three times), Edwina Tops-Alexander, and Kevin Staut. For Brash, who arrived in Paris as the world number one and whose horses only recently returned from Qatar, the win carried particular resonance. Hello Chadora Lady won the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final in December 2025 -- this is a mare who seems to be coming into her very best form at exactly the right moment.
In the opening class of the weekend, the Prix du Grand Palais CSI5*, Willem Greve won with Candy Luck Z -- the third horse Greve has won on this season alongside Pretty Woman and Grandorado. The Dutchman who leads the World Cup Western European League with 81 points continues to demonstrate the kind of depth that makes him genuinely difficult to beat regardless of which horse he presents. "It's simply incredible," Greve said after the win. "You can sense the weight of history in this place."
The Saut Hermès also featured its celebrated Les Talents Hermès competition for Under 25 riders -- one of the most prestigious young rider platforms on the European circuit. Belgian rider Mathieu Guéry, 20, was victorious riding the 11-year-old gelding Time-Breaker S Z, setting the fastest clear time of 33.75 seconds in the two-phase format. "It's fantastic," Guéry said after the win. "I'm incredibly fortunate to be able to ride at the Saut Hermès. Even though it's the third year that I've been invited, it's not something you get accustomed to. It's a crazy competition."
Around the World in Brief
Dressage -- US team sets for Fort Worth
The Dutta Corp. US Dressage Team was confirmed on March 18 for the start of the 2026 FEI Dressage Nations Cup USA CDIO3* in Wellington, Florida -- the final major preparation event before the World Cup Final in Fort Worth on April 8. The dressage discipline has seen its own share of World Cup Final withdrawals this season, with several top European riders opting out of the Fort Worth trip to focus on Aachen. The field will be strong nonetheless and the US team arrives motivated on home soil.
Eventing -- the Open series builds
Will Coleman and Diabolo took the dressage lead in the CDP Stables CCI4*-S at Setters' Run Farm Carolina International this week as the US eventing season moved into full spring rhythm. The 2026 US Equestrian Open of Eventing Series -- the new national series building toward a final at Morven Park in October -- is gathering momentum with its first qualifiers in the books and Bouckaert Farm hosting its next leg shortly.
Collegiate equestrian -- the Big 12 Championship
The 2026 Big 12 Equestrian Championship has been seeded, with Oklahoma State earning the top seed as defending conference champion. The championship will be hosted by Oklahoma State at the Pedigo-Hull Equestrian Center in Stillwater on March 27 and 28, with Fresno State, TCU, and Baylor completing the field. All four programs are ranked in the NCEA top ten -- the collegiate game is in good health.
FEI leadership -- Ingmar De Vos joins the IOC Executive Board
FEI President Ingmar De Vos has been appointed to the IOC Executive Board -- a significant step forward for equestrian sport at the global Olympic governance level. His new role brings equestrian representation into Olympic decision-making at a pivotal time for welfare, governance, and the future of the sport's place in the Games. With LA 2028 approaching and questions about equestrian sport's Olympic format still very much live, having the FEI President at the IOC table matters.
Week of March 16-22, 2026 -- The Summary
147 Horses Home Safe from Qatar
Two Boeing 777F cargo flights via Riyadh to Liège brought every horse home safely after a week stranded at Al Shaqab. The logistics were extraordinary. The relief was universal.
Germany -- League of Nations Ocala
Thieme, Dittmer, Kukuk, Vogel. Four clear in the second round. Four faults total. Germany now leads the League of Nations standings on 190 points with three legs remaining.
Scott Brash -- Grand Prix Hermès, Paris
The world number one wins the most beautiful Grand Prix in the sport under the glass ceiling of the Grand Palais. Hello Chadora Lady. Paris. It doesn't get much better.
Fort Worth Builds -- World Cup Final April 8
Two weeks out from the Final. The field is confirmed, the horses are travelling, and the question of whether Greve takes Pretty Woman or Grandorado remains beautifully open.
It was the kind of week that reminds you why this sport is worth following so closely. A crisis resolved. A Nation Cup dominated. A Grand Prix won in Paris. All in the same seven days.
That is your week in equestrian sport. We will be back next Monday with the full rundown of whatever happens between now and then -- and with the World Cup Final two weeks away, something tells us the next edition is going to be a good one.
See you at the ring.
The Notting Hill Equine Weekly Journal recaps the biggest stories in equestrian sport every week -- from the Grand Prix ring to the barn aisle. Bookmark us, share us with your barn friends, and browse the shop for English tack and sport horse lifestyle products curated for riders who follow the sport seriously.
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