The Closing Ceremony of the Longines Global Champions Tour in Riyadh marked the start of the competition with a large-scale live performance that set the tone for the event. Staged within the arena, the show brought together choreography, lighting, drone formations and pyrotechnic moments to create a shared opening moment for riders, teams and audience alike.

The ceremony was structured as a journey through Saudi Arabia’s heritage and modern identity. It opened with restrained, atmospheric sections referencing landscape, tradition and calligraphy, before shifting into a more architectural and contemporary visual language. The final act moved at a faster pace, reflecting the energy and precision of elite equestrian sport.

ON THE SLY was commissioned to compose the original musical score for the Closing Ceremony. Our role was to create a piece of music that could sit at the centre of the show, supporting live performance and technical elements while giving the ceremony a clear sense of progression.

The score began with subtle, textural references to traditional Saudi music before expanding into cinematic orchestral writing and contemporary rhythmic movement. As the visual language evolved, the music followed, increasing in scale and intensity. Rhythmic motifs were shaped around movement and timing, allowing the score to feel closely connected to the choreography and flow of the arena.

The ceremony concluded with an orchestral finale beneath the illuminated Longines mark, framing the opening of the competition with confidence, scale and focus.