147 elite showjumping horses airlifted from Qatar to Liège amid Gulf tensions

A total of 147 elite showjumping horses were evacuated from Doha to Liège Airport this week using two cargo flights operated by Qatar Airways with the Boeing 777F.

Because airspace in Qatar remains closed, the animals were first transported 217 miles (350 km) by road to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. From King Khalid International Airport, the horses were flown on two six-hour cargo flights to Belgium. One aircraft carried 74 horses, while the other transported 73, with grooms and veterinarians accompanying them onboard.

The evacuation was coordinated by the Doha Equestrian Tour, airline partners and local stakeholders, following escalating regional tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, as well as ongoing air strikes near Al Udeid Air Base.

The horses — including animals ridden by German showjumper Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann — were transported in specialised padded “jet stalls” placed inside the cargo hold. Each stall typically accommodates up to three horses, allowing them to stand comfortably while remaining stable during the flight. Throughout the journey, staff monitored the animals’ health and stress levels while providing continuous feeding and watering in a temperature-controlled environment.

With both flights completed safely, the horses have now arrived in Europe, ensuring their safety while competitions at the Al Shaqab equestrian complex in Doha remain suspended. The organisers of the Longines Global Champions Tour have indicated they hope to return to Doha once conditions allow, while shifting focus in the meantime to the 2026 season events, including Miami Beach.