Release date: 02/08/2018

Valkenswaard will be the center of the equestrian world from 10 till 12 August when the world's best riders gather for the Longines Global Champions Tour and the Global Champions League. It is the traditional and spectacular end of the competition season at Tops International Arena.
The public will enjoy the equestrian sport at the highest level as well as competitions for young horses and CSI1*/CSI2* combinations.
 
Line-up
The Netherlands is sending their best riders to the beautiful facilities at Tops International Arena and they will try to get a piece of the offered prizemoney of over 700.000 euros: The world's number one Harrie Smolders, overall winner of the LGCT last year and currently second in the LGCT Ranking, Leopold van Asten, Maikel and Eric van der Vleuten, Frank Schuttert, Gerco Schröder, Gert-Jan Bruggink, Wout-Jan van der Schans and Jur Vrieling. Belgium has also an very strong contigent, among them the Philippaerts brothers Nicola and Olivier, Gregory Wathelet, Jos Verlooy, Niels Bruynseels, Pieter Devos and Constant Van Paesschen. Edwina Tops-Alexander, currently the number three in the LGCT Ranking, will, of course, compete at her own facility. Other famous riders that will compete these three days are, among others: Eric Lamaze (CAN), Roger-Yves Bos (FRA), Scott Brash and Michael Whitaker from Great Britain, Christian Ahlmann, Daniel Deusser, Ludger Beerbaum and Marcus Ehning for Duitsland, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE), European Champion Peder Fredricson (SWE), Kent Farrington (USA) and Jessica Springsteen (USA).
 
Programme
Hightlights of the programma are the first round of the Global Champions League on Friday afternoon. The second round will be decided on Saturday afternoon followed by the Longines GCT Grand Prix on Saturday evening. On Sunday afternoon the young horses will compete in their Final and the event is closed with a five star 1.50m ocmpetition.
 
Enjoying the sun
Tbe weather forecast is just excellent, lots of sun, but not too warm. Perfect for the horses, but also for the spectators to stroll on the "Place du Concours' with its bars, restaurants and shops.
 
The prestigious Longines Global Champions Tour consists of 16 top events around the globe inclusive the Final in Doha, Qatar, which will be held from 8 till 10 November. The Global Champions League will have a unique Final in the beautiful, historical city of Prague. For the first time in history the teams will compete through a play-offs format to determine the overall winner.