There was a time when Abdel Saïd watched the greats of show jumping compete for the Longines Global Champions Tour Championship and wondered whether he could ever stand in their place. In Cairo, beneath the Pyramids of Giza, that dream became reality.
With the final stage in Rabat still to come, the Belgian rider secured the 2026 LGCT Championship at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Cairo founded by Qatar’s Years Of Culture. A season built on determination, exceptional partnerships and the pursuit of points had delivered its ultimate reward a whole stage early.
“I still can’t believe it, to be honest,” he said. “In my mind, I knew it would go to the last leg in Rabat next week, so I was ready for that. Then they told me I could potentially win it today, even having one down, and of course you get excited and you get nervous.”
That unexpected moment of celebration was earned through months of consistency. Collecting Championship points at 13 of the 14 stages contested so far, Saïd gave himself repeated opportunities to strengthen his position. With each rider’s best eight results counting towards the LGCT Championship, those 13 scoring performances allowed him to drop his five lowest scores and build a title-winning total.
Every strong finish created another opportunity to improve. Across different arenas, changing conditions and the pressure of a season-long Championship battle, Saïd and his horses continued to deliver.
Two standout victories led the way. In Cannes, Wathnan Zasou vom Claashof carried him to LGCT Grand Prix glory. Fourth place in St. Tropez with Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z added another valuable result before the same partnership delivered a defining second victory in Rome. Together, those performances underlined the quality and consistency that would take him to the top.
Yet when the title was finally his, Saïd’s thoughts turned immediately to the horses and people who had made it possible.
“I’m very, very proud of my horses, I’m proud of my team. It’s been a long season jumping for the GCL and the LGCT individual.”
Alongside his individual success, Cairo also brought a significant team milestone with Istanbul Warriors, adding another reason to celebrate an extraordinary week.
“After this week we also finished second in the team Championship with the Istanbul Warriors. It was a nice wrap for the weekend to do it in Cairo and go home with these two positions.”
Behind every Championship point were hours of preparation, care and commitment. Asked about his groom and the people working behind the scenes, Saïd’s response was simple:
“Without them I wouldn’t be here!”
That gratitude ran through his reflections, even as he considered what it meant to join the names he had once watched from the sidelines. The riders and horses who made the Championship seem almost impossible to win had also given him something to chase.
“It’s a big moment. I used to look up to this and think it was nearly impossible to do. At the times when Scott was riding Sanctos and Rolf was riding Casall, I was just drooling from the sidelines. And now to stand here and do it, I’m very proud and really happy for my horses and my team.”
From watching Scott Brash and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson to earning his own place among the Tour’s Champions, Saïd has turned years of ambition into a defining achievement. With Rabat still ahead, he will arrive at the final stage carrying the title he once only dreamed of winning.
Celebrate Abdel Saïd’s Championship victory - watch the full interview with the newly crowned 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour Champion.