Release date: 19/11/2020

Sensational New Grass Arena Surface Unveiled at Tops International Arena!

Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard makes a spectacular return to grass with a completely new world class surface, it can be announced today.

The new grass footing has been installed in the expansive 125m x 85m main competition arena. This shift back to grass will enable the numerous international and young riders coming to Valkenswaard to compete on both sand and grass arenas with the highest quality footing.

Jan Tops, President of LGCT and GCL, designed the venue with facilities for the horse as the number one priority and the new surface will take the standard of footing to a new level. He said “We are very excited to return our main arena to an outstanding grass surface with high quality footing for top level sport. We know many of the world’s leading riders enjoy competing on grass and I am very pleased to make this transition and to ensure that Tops International Arena continues to deliver a world-class experience for horses, riders, spectators and guests.”

International show jumper and Madrid in Motion Team rider Maikel van der Vleuten praised the return to grass, saying, “A good grass arena is still my preferred surface to jump on as it is the best for the horses. I am really looking forward to jumping on the beautiful grass arena of Valkenswaard again from 2021, as for me Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard still has one of the most amazing jumping facilities that we know as show jumping riders.”

Tops International Arena has stabling for 500 horses and high-quality facilities for horse welfare and hosted several weeks of competitions including the CSI5* GC Valkenswaard and Global Future Champions during August and September for the world’s leading riders and young riders and horses.

Next year Tops International Arena will play host to the Valkenswaard legs of the LGCT and GCL team series as well as Global Future Champions and a number of other high-level competitions.