The most famous names in show jumping have been enjoying the fantastic sights of the dynamic city of Shanghai today. The historic debut of the Tour in this hip, buzzing city has created huge excitement and this evening several hundred guests enjoyed a glamorous cocktail party on The Bund to celebrate this landmark Longines Global Champions Tour show jumping event.
World No 3 Ludger Beerbaum (GER) said he was ‘curious’ to see Shanghai - the four-time Olympic Gold medallist is definitely hot favourite for the Grand Prix on Saturday. Beerbaum has an on-going association with Asian equestrianism and has been training Chinese riders since 2005. “To see the development of Chinese riders and Chinese events, and the sport in general in the last nine years, I am convinced that they will have success in future championships and Olympic Games,” says Beerbaum.
However, he admits it’s tough for Chinese riders to get the experience they need if they stay in China - the arrival of the LGCT marks a big step for equestrian sports here. “All over Europe we have thousands of shows to compete in every year, so riders have the chance to learn and improve week by week. Many top Chinese riders train in Europe because of this. For me success is about accuracy which comes with repetition. Accuracy is necessary all the time in our sports. It begins with the correct training and equipment for horse and rider, the first steps on horse back, the concentration in the class, preparing in the ring - everything.”
Beerbaum has a long a distinguished career winning many international medals. Before the London 2012 Olympics, he stated that it would be his last, but since he had to miss it because his horse was injured he is looking forward to Rio 2016. “My sport gives so much to me. I have the opportunity to travel around the world, and I meet people who share my hobby. I couldn´t imagine doing something without horses. They are my life. I am really grateful!” One of the many places that show jumping has brought this legendary German is Shanghai, city of lights and colour.
Shanghai, often dubbed the "Paris of the East" comes alive at night with stunning, colourful illuminations on the skyscrapers towering above the city streets along the colonial riverfront of The Bund and the futuristic Pudong financial district. The incredible destination is another jewel in the crown of the Tour's city locations this season, which will also see the Championship series travelling to London, Paris and Doha. Shanghai, like the other great cities on the Tour, offers cutting-edge fashion, with boutiques from all the leading luxury labels, great restaurants and nightlife.
Already riders, grooms and fans are posting photos of the showground in Pudong and the imposing and dramatic China Art Palace which overlooks the arena. The structure was originally the China Pavilion built for the World Expo 2010 and received close to 17 million visitors at the time.
All the action kicks off tomorrow at 12pm (local time) with the first CSI5* competition in the arena featuring the best riders and horses in the world, including Olympic medallists, and World Champions and Continental Champions. There will be intense interest on their performances as all eyes turn to the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Shanghai on Saturday afternoon and the next stage in the 2014 LGCT Championship race.
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Young Asian artists dedicate their stunning work to LGCT Shanghai
A group of young artists from around Asian have painted a herd of beautiful horses in honour of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai. Each horse represents a different Asian country and up-and-coming artists from each area painted a horse to represent their homeland. The Painted Herd will be on display throughout the inaugural three-day CSI5* event, the first in mainland China to host world-class international horses.
Thanks to the hard work of LGCT and Peden Bloodstock, these top competition horses are allowed to enter China for the event and to leave again, something previously impossible under import/export restrictions. For many spectators visting the event over the next few days, this will be the first time they have seen a horse in the flesh. Enjoying world-class show jumping as a first taste of equestrian sport will be a truly special experience.
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| Over 100 Chinese journalists greet the first Shanghai horse flight |
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The first of two special FedEx horse flights has arrived at Shanghai-Pudong International Airport ahead of the historic, ground-breaking Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai event this coming weekend. Over one hundred Chinese journalists waited through the night to catch a glimpse of the first horses leaving their air stables as excitement about LGCT's visit to China builds.
For the first time, many of the world's greatest elite level showjumping horses have made their way to mainland China to compete in this landmark equestrian event, to be held at the world-famous China Art Pavilion within the city's World Expo Park site. As we approach the 2014 LGCT Championship fourth round, the world's elite riders are preaparing to make their mark at this inaugural event in the heart of one of the world's biggest and most vibrant cities.
The Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai (6-8 June) will offer a record US$2 million in prize money to some of the top names in show jumping over three days of CSI5* competition. The LGCT of Shanghai Grand Prix, the fourth round of the prestigious official FEI show jumping series, will have a prize fund of US$1.1million, with a massive US$363,000 going to the winner.
The Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai Grand Prix will take place at 2.30pm (local time)/8.30am (CEST). Follow all the action live on GCT TV, ClassHorseTV, Equidia Life, beIN Sports and on Eurosport from 11am CEST.
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A incredible and beautiful jumping horse statue has been unveiled at the official launch of the landmark Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai event, to be held from the 6-8 June. This imposing artwork, created by Mr. Xu Weina and Mr. Lu Jiawei, will be displayed in the buzzing Hongkong Plaza - the most popular shopping street in central Shanghai - before being moved to the show venue for the duration of this historic event.
“Equestrian sport has been popular in Europe and the United States for over one hundred years," said Mr. Li Yuyi, Director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports. "The five-star Longines Global Champions Tour series is the highest level show jumping event throughout the FEI events. It has been hosted successively by London, Cannes, Lausanne, Vienna, Monaco and other famous cities. This June, Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour series is to be held at a landmark of Shanghai - China Art Palace. It will be the most influential and most appreciable equestrian event of the highest level ever held in China.”
The Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai Grand Prix is one of the richest of the year, with a prize pot of USD$1.1million. You can watch the action from this key round of the LGCT 2014 series live on GCT TV, Eurosport, Equidia Life and ClassHorseTV or keep up-to-date by following our social media channels.
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| FedEx sponsors Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai |
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FedEx Express and Juss Event Management jointly announced FedEx sponsorship of the upcoming Longines Global Championship Tour of Shanghai. As the Patron and Exclusive Logistics Sponsor, FedEx will provide logistical services to this historic event by transporting the 5* competition horses from Belgium to China and back. The world-class show jumping event will be held at the Shanghai Expo Park from 6-8 June.
FedEx will use its extensive global transportation network to ship at least 80 jumping horses, some of the best equine athletes in the world, to China for the show and then back to Belgium once the tournament is complete. The horses will be flown on a FedEx MD-11 aircraft from Liege, Belgium. They will make a stop at Dubai before flying onward to Shanghai Pudong International Airport with all necessary precautions for a safe and comfortable journey.
Mr. Zhang Huimin (Chairman of Juss Event) the local organizer of the event, Mr. Jiang Lan (General Manager of Juss Event) and Mr. Eddy Chan (Senior Vice President, FedEx Express China) attended the press conference yesterday.
“FedEx is proud to work with Juss Event to help deliver the horses for the Longines Global Championship Tour of Shanghai,” said Mr. Eddy Chan. “FedEx has the logistical expertise to transport some of the world’s most precious and delicate cargo. This unique shipment will once again showcase our ability to create a perfectly tailored solution for our customer.”
“Shanghai is now experiencing innovation-driven growth. The show jumping event is of great significance to the city, providing a perfect platform to showcase the comprehensive strength of Shanghai,” said Mr. Jiang Lan. “We are confident that FedEx can provide solid logistics support to the tournament. We will embark on presenting world-class horsemanship in Shanghai and hosting a successful event.”
In addition to sponsoring this landmark event, FedEx is also known as the global Platinum Sponsor and Official Carrier of the ATP World Tour as well as the Sponsor of the China Badminton Team. In the United States, FedEx is the title sponsor of the FedExCup and the Official Worldwide Delivery Service Sponsor of the National Football League (NFL). FedEx has a long history of transporting rare and delicate cargo safely and securely, having shipped thoroughbred horses for both the U.S. and Canadian Olympic equestrian teams to and from the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia.
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| Record prize money for LGCT Shanghai |
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The Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai (6-8 June) will offer a record US$2 million in prize money to some of the greatest riders in show jumping, over three days of competition and six CSI5* classes of the very highest level. The feature LGCT Grand Prix, the fourth round of the prestigious official show jumping series, will have a prize fund of US$1.1million, with a massive US$363,000 going to the winner. The best riders in the world and their incredible equine partners will be heading to Shanghai in a few weeks time for one of the richest show jumping competitions of the year.
Coming into the 2014 LGCT Championship fourth round, the world's elite riders will be fighting to make their mark at this record-breaking event in the heart of one of the world's biggest and most vibrant cities. Each day of this ground-breaking competition at the famous China Art Palace will have two CSI5* competitions, featuring for the first time world-class show jumping horses visiting from outside mainland China. Show jumping is a an increasingly popular sport in China and this historic event marks a new stage in the evolution of equestrian sports in Asia.
LGCT Sport Director Marco Danese - "The arrival of 80 international competition horses at Pudong International Airport in a few weeks will be a major milestone for everyone involved in the logistics of presenting an international equestrian event of this nature in China. As the first foreign horse and rider combination enter the competition arena at the World Expo Park site on the first day of the show, history will be being made. For Shanghai, city of new beginnings, this truly is a remarkable step and undoubtedly the start of a golden era for horse sports in China."
The headline Grand Prix on Saturday is not the only high-stakes class on offer - Friday and Sunday also feature a key competition, each with US$370,000 prize pots. The electrifying sport on offer across these three days of intense competition are sure to be a true spectacle for show jumping fans around the world. The confirmed rider list is soon to be released - it contains an exciting selection of Olympic, World, European and Asian Champions who will be fighting for dominance at the top of the LGCT Championship Ranking.
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