Source:  News Release

Riders from all over the world will be descending on Valkenswaard over the next 24 hours with over 500 horses expected for the 9th leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour. Extra stabling has been constructed at the prestigious Stal Tops equestrian estate to accommodate all the equine athletes competing this weekend.

With 19 out of the Top 20 top ranked riders on the star-studded start list, this weekend’s Grand Prix will produce international show jumping of exceptional calibre. The most famous horses on the planet will be in action as pressure mounts in the championship series with only three further events to go after this weekend.

In a significantly global field riders from across the globe - including Qatar, Australia, Colombia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, El Salvador, Brazil - will be joining strong line ups from the USA, France, Germany and Great Britain. Eight riders from the United States will be providing serious competition for Europe and the rest of the world with star riders Laura Kraut and Richard Spooner on sparkling form and already enjoying victories this season.

Show Director Marco Danese said: “We are expecting extremely high level competition as our championship series always attracts the very best riders in the world of show jumping. This means that the sport is really top level all year on the circuit, which is fantastic for spectators and for our TV viewers and online audience. This leg of the championship is sure to deliver great sport with a record number of horses and riders. This series is a true test for the best riders as they must compete on sand and grass, day and night and in small and large arenas. Here in Valkenswaard the facilities will be world class and it is great to be back at the home of the Tour.”

The pristine grass of the main competition arena is ready for action and the VIP Hospitality Lodge alongside the ring will be full to capacity with guests from around the world for the much-anticipated 5* event. Riders including two-times Tour champion Edwina Tops-Alexander and Sheikh Ali Al Thani were already warming up today and tomorrow a fleet of state-of-the-art trucks will start arriving at the immaculate show ground.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of two decades of international equestrian events at Valkenswaard, in the south of the Netherlands and close to the Belgian and German borders. Founded in 2006 by Jan Tops, President of the Longines Global Champions Tour, it is the 8th time a stage of the Tour has taken place on home turf in Valkenswaard and is one of the most popular events with riders.

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